Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation

Sony Corporation

Tatsuki Nishino

Shizunori Matsumoto

Yosuke Ueno

Yusuke Moriyama

Hiroki Hiyama

Takahiro Miura

Tomohiro Matsumoto

Akihiko Miyanohara

Yusuke Ikeda

Yasushi Katayama

Takahiro Naito

Yoshiki Oyama

Susumu Seino

Makoto Kobori

Dan Luo

A distance measurement sensor according to the present disclosure includes a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) element, a first constant current source and a second constant current source, a first switch, a second switch, and a gating switch. The SPAD element outputs a signal at the time of receiving light reflected from a measured object due to light emitted from a light source. The first constant current source and the second constant current source are connected in parallel to a cathode of the SPAD element. The first switch is connected between the SPAD element and the first constant current source. The second switch is connected between the SPAD element and the second constant current source. The gating switch is connected between the SPAD element and the first switch and between the SPAD element and a ground potential.

Distance measurement sensor

Provided is a time measurement apparatus which includes a pixel (PZ) that includes a light receiving element and generates a pulse signal (a pixel signal SIG) including a logic pulse on the basis of a light reception result in the light receiving element, a timing detector (a counter section) to detect a light reception timing in the light receiving element on the basis of the pulse signal, a pulse number detector (a time measurement section) to detect a pulse number of the logic pulse included in the pulse signal; and a controller to control, on the basis of the pulse number, an operation of a light source outputting a plurality of light pulses.

Time measurement apparatus

The present technology relates to a light receiving element and a ranging system to reduce power consumption. A light receiving element includes a pixel which includes an SPAD, a first transistor configured to set a cathode voltage of the SPAD at a first negative voltage, a voltage conversion circuit configured to convert the cathode voltage of the SPAD upon incidence of a photon and output the converted cathode voltage, and an output unit configured to output a detection signal indicating the incidence of the photon on the SPAD on the basis of the converted cathode voltage. The present technology is applicable to a ranging system that detects a range in a depth direction to a subject, for example.

Light receiving element and ranging system

A light receiving device according to the present disclosure includes: a light receiving element that generates a signal in response to reception of a photon; a readout circuit that reads out a signal generated by the light receiving element; and a protection circuit that is provided between the light receiving element and the readout circuit and protects a circuit element of the readout circuit from overvoltage. Further, a distance measuring device according to the present disclosure includes a light receiving device of the above configuration.

Light receiving device and distance measuring device including resistor and transistors between light receiving element and readout circuit

There is provided a light receiving element and a ranging system which achieve reduction in the number of signal lines which output detection signals. The light receiving element includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels is arranged in a matrix, and a pixel driving unit configured to control respective pixels of the pixel array to be active pixels or non-active pixels, in which the pixel driving unit controls the pixels to be the active pixels in units of spot including N×M pixels (N>0, M>0, where N and M do not become 1 at a same time), and one signal line which outputs a detection signal is disposed at the pixel array for a plurality of spot constituent pixels of a same type within one unit where the one unit includes L×L pixels (L>1).

To control an excess bias to an appropriate value in a light detection device. A solid-state image sensor includes a photodiode, a resistor, and a control circuit. In this solid-state image sensor, the photodiode photoelectrically converts incident light and outputs a photocurrent. Furthermore, in the solid-state image sensor, the resistor is connected to a cathode of the photodiode. Furthermore, in the solid-state image sensor, the control circuit supplies a lower potential to an anode of the photodiode as a potential of the cathode of when the photocurrent flows through the resistor is higher.

Solid-state image sensor and electronic device

A light detecting device includes first pixel circuitry including a first avalanche photodiode, and second pixel circuitry including a second avalanche photodiode, a first delay circuit including an input coupled to a cathode of the second avalanche photodiode, a first circuit including a first input coupled to the cathode of the second avalanche photodiode, and a second input coupled to an output of the first delay circuit. The light detecting device includes a control circuit coupled to an output of the first circuit and configured to control a potential of an anode of the first avalanche photodiode based on the output of the first circuit. The control circuit is configured to control a potential of an anode of the second avalanche photodiode based on the output of the first circuit.

Light detecting device and system

A light receiving element and a ranging system is provided which achieve improvement of pixel characteristics while allowing variation in a breakdown voltage of an SPAD. The light receiving element includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels is arranged in a matrix, and a pixel driving unit configured to control respective pixels of the pixel array to be active pixels or non-active pixels. The pixel includes an SPAD, a transistor connected to the SPAD in series, an inverter configured to output a detection signal indicating incidence of a photon on the SPAD, a first transistor which is switched on or off in accordance with control of the pixels to be the active pixels or the non-active pixels, and a second transistor connected to the first transistor in series.

This technology relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging system for improving the accuracy of distance measurement performed by use of SPADs. The imaging apparatus includes a pixel array section having pixel sections arrayed therein. Each pixel section includes: an SPAD (single photon avalanche photodiode); a resistance component configured to be connected serially with the SPAD; an output section configured to output a light reception signal indicating photon incidence on the SPAD; and a pulse generation section configured to output a pulse signal in synchronism with the output of the light reception signal. Each pixel sections further includes at least one of: a switch configured to be connected interposingly between the SPAD and the resistance component and turned off in synchronism with the pulse signal; or a pull-in section configured to pull in an input current flowing through the SPAD via the resistance component in synchronism with the pulse signal, thereby suppressing the input current flowing through the SPAD. This technology may be applied to cameras that capture range images, for example.

Imaging apparatus and imaging system

The present technology relates to a light receiving element and a ranging system capable of improving a pixel characteristic by responding to a change in a breakdown voltage due to a temperature change. The light receiving element includes: a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels each including an SPAD is arranged in a matrix; a pixel drive unit that controls each pixel is the pixel array to be an active pixel or an inactive pixel; a leakage current detection unit that detects a leakage current of the inactive pixel; and a voltage control unit that controls a voltage supplied to a side of an anode or a side of a cathode of the SPAD such that the leakage current has a current value within a predetermined range. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a ranging system or the like that detects a distance to a subject in a depth direction.

Light receiving device and distance measuring device comprising a circuit to protect a circuit element of a readout circuit from overvoltage

The present disclosure relates to an image capturing element, a drive method, and an electronic device capable of speeding up operation mode switching. The image capturing element includes a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels is disposed in a matrix of rows and columns, and a vertical drive circuit that drives the pixels on each row. The vertical drive circuit includes a positive power source and a negative power source that supply electrical power to an output element that outputs a drive signal for driving each pixel, and a control element that controls current flowing between each wire through which electrical power is output from the positive power source or the negative power source and a ground level based on a pulse having a predetermined pulse width at operation mode switching. The present technology is applicable to an image capturing element having a plurality of operation modes.

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Kanagawa, Japan

Tatsuki Nishino