Comparator, analog-to-digital convertor, solid-state imaging device, camera system, and electronic apparatus
US8766843B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jul 1, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03M1/123
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A comparator includes a first amplifier and a level holding part. The first amplifier includes differential-pair transistors and outputs a signal of a level corresponding to a comparison result from a first output node. The differential-pair transistors serve as a comparison part that receives a reference voltage, a signal level of which changes with a slope, at a gate of one of the differential-pair transistors, receives an input signal at a gate of the other of the differential-pair transistors, and compares the reference voltage with a potential of the input signal. The level holding part holds a level of the first output node such that the other transistor having an output part thereof connected to the first output node out of the differential-pair transistors of the first amplifier does not fall into a level at which a saturated operation condition is not satisfied.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.