A lightning strike counter and a lightning strike counting method are disclosed. The lightning strike counter includes a lightning strike input circuit, a bipolar waveform generating circuit, and a counting circuit. The lightning strike input circuit receives a lightning strike signal from a first lightning strike input end and a second lightning strike input end. The bipolar waveform generating circuit outputs a bipolar waveform signal from a bipolar waveform output end to the counting circuit in response to the lightning strike input circuit receiving the lightning strike signal. The counting circuit outputs a counting output signal from a counting output end in response to receiving the bipolar waveform signal from a counting input end.

A photoelectric conversion element includes: a plurality of pixels that are formed on a common semiconductor substrate and each of which includes an avalanche photodiode; a first line that is formed on the semiconductor substrate, is electrically connected to two or more first pixels included in the plurality of pixels, and collectively extracts output currents from the two or more first pixels; and a second line that is formed on the semiconductor substrate, is electrically connected to two or more second pixels included in the plurality of pixels, and collectively extracts output currents from the two or more second pixels. A light receiving area of each first pixel is larger than a light receiving area of each second pixel.

A photoelectric conversion element includes: a plurality of pixels that are formed on a common semiconductor substrate and each of which includes an avalanche photodiode; a first line that is formed on the semiconductor substrate, is electrically connected to two or more first pixels included in the plurality of pixels, and collectively extracts output currents from the two or more first pixels; and a second line that is formed on the semiconductor substrate, is electrically connected to two or more second pixels included in the plurality of pixels, and collectively extracts output currents from the two or more second pixels. A light receiving area of each first pixel is larger than a light receiving area of each second pixel.

A lightning strike counter and a lightning strike counting method are disclosed. The lightning strike counter includes a lightning strike input circuit, a bipolar waveform generating circuit, and a counting circuit. The lightning strike input circuit receives a lightning strike signal from a first lightning strike input end and a second lightning strike input end. The bipolar waveform generating circuit outputs a bipolar waveform signal from a bipolar waveform output end to the counting circuit in response to the lightning strike input circuit receiving the lightning strike signal. The counting circuit outputs a counting output signal from a counting output end in response to receiving the bipolar waveform signal from a counting input end.

A lightning strike counter and a lightning strike counting method are disclosed. The lightning strike counter includes a lightning strike input circuit, a bipolar waveform generating circuit, and a counting circuit. The lightning strike input circuit receives a lightning strike signal from a first lightning strike input end and a second lightning strike input end. The bipolar waveform generating circuit outputs a bipolar waveform signal from a bipolar waveform output end to the counting circuit in response to the lightning strike input circuit receiving the lightning strike signal. The counting circuit outputs a counting output signal from a counting output end in response to receiving the bipolar waveform signal from a counting input end.

A photoelectric conversion element includes: a plurality of pixels that are formed on a common semiconductor substrate and each of which includes an avalanche photodiode; a first line that is formed on the semiconductor substrate, is electrically connected to two or more first pixels included in the plurality of pixels, and collectively extracts output currents from the two or more first pixels; and a second line that is formed on the semiconductor substrate, is electrically connected to two or more second pixels included in the plurality of pixels, and collectively extracts output currents from the two or more second pixels. A light receiving area of each first pixel is larger than a light receiving area of each second pixel.

A photoelectric conversion element includes: a plurality of pixels that are formed on a common semiconductor substrate and each of which includes an avalanche photodiode; a first line that is formed on the semiconductor substrate, is electrically connected to two or more first pixels included in the plurality of pixels, and collectively extracts output currents from the two or more first pixels; and a second line that is formed on the semiconductor substrate, is electrically connected to two or more second pixels included in the plurality of pixels, and collectively extracts output currents from the two or more second pixels. A light receiving area of each first pixel is larger than a light receiving area of each second pixel.