Patent ID: 8946616
Filing Date: 2015-02-03
Classification: H03M,H04N

Abstract:
1. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured for use within an image sensor including an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of columns, the ADC comprising: a comparator configured to compare a decreasing ramp signal with an image signal provided by a column of pixels and output a comparison result signal; and a counter configured to receive the comparison result signal and generate a count result by counting a clock during a counting interval, wherein the ADC determines whether a first counting interval for the counter is less than a reference interval, and if the first counting interval is less than the reference interval the counting interval is the first counting interval, else the counting interval is a second counting interval; wherein the first counting interval is a period extending from a first time when the ramp signal begins decreasing to a second time when the ramp signal is equal to the image signal, and wherein the reference interval is equal to a period that is half of a supply period for a count clock signal applied to the counter.