US 12,439,183 B2
Ramp signal generator for calibrating ramp linearity, operating method thereof, and image sensor device including the same
Dongjae Han, Suwon-si (KR); Haneul Jung, Suwon-si (KR); and Younghyun Yoon, Suwon-si (KR)
Assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed by SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed on Apr. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/141,164.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2022-0138465 (KR), filed on Oct. 25, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0137672 A1, Apr. 25, 2024
Prior Publication US 2024/0236528 A9, Jul. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. H04N 25/78 (2023.01); H03K 4/48 (2006.01); H04N 25/616 (2023.01)
CPC H04N 25/78 (2023.01) [H03K 4/48 (2013.01); H04N 25/616 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A ramp signal generator comprising:
a first unit current source comprising a plurality of first sub-unit current sources connected to a first unit current output node, and configured to output a first unit current during a first time period;
a first ramp switch connected between the first unit current output node and an output node;
a second unit current source comprising a plurality of second sub-unit current sources connected to a second unit current output node, and configured to output a second unit current during a second time period; and
a second ramp switch connected between the second unit current output node and the output node,
wherein the plurality of first sub-unit current sources are configured to operate according to a plurality of first sub-ramp control signals, respectively,
wherein the plurality of second sub-unit current sources are configured to operate according to a plurality of second sub-ramp control signals, respectively, and
wherein n first sub-ramp control signals among the plurality of first sub-ramp control signals are activated, and m sub-ramp control signals among the plurality of second sub-ramp control signals are activated, n and m being different natural numbers that are determined based on a difference between a reference ramp signal and a target ramp signal.