Patent ID: 8159581
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: A01C,H04N

Abstract:
1. A photoelectric conversion device comprising: a plurality of pixel columns, each including a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element, a floating diffusion region, a transfer portion for transferring an electric charge in photoelectric conversion element to the floating diffusion region, an amplification transistor having an input node connected to the floating diffusion region, and a reset transistor for supplying a reset voltage to the input node; a plurality of signal output lines, each corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of pixel columns, wherein, for each of the signal output lines, electrical signals are outputted from the plurality of pixels included in the respective one of the plurality of pixel columns; and a plurality of column amplification circuits, each corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of signal output lines, for amplifying the electrical signals, the plurality of column amplification circuits each including at least one load transistor, the plurality of column amplification circuits being arranged repeatedly in a first direction which is different from a second direction along which the plurality of pixels included in each one of the plurality of pixel columns are arranged, the plurality of column amplification circuits being arranged at both sides of a pixel area in which the plurality of pixel columns are arranged to sandwich the pixel area, and each column amplification circuit being an operational amplifier, wherein the load transistor has a source supplied with a predetermined voltage from a common line, and wherein a direction of channel lengths of the load transistors is different from the first direction along which the plurality of column amplification circuits are arranged repeatedly.