Patent ID: 7795571
Filing Date: 2010-09-14
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An imaging apparatus having a solid-state image sensor in which a plurality of photodetectors are arranged, one or more output circuits in series and a buffer circuit, and processing luminance signals from the photodetectors to output image information, the buffer circuit performing impedance conversion on signals outputted from a final output circuit of the one or more output circuits, the final output circuit being a source follower circuit that has an active element and a current source which is inserted between a source terminal of the active element and a reference voltage terminal, wherein the current source and the buffer circuit are external to a first semiconductor substrate on which the photodetectors are formed, a main part of the current source and a main part of the buffer circuit are in a single package, and a thickness of the first semiconductor substrate is less than 500 μm.