Reference Pixel Column Readout

Abstract: an image sensor may include an image sensor pixel array. the image sensor pixel array may include active image sensor pixels that generate image data based on incident light and reference pixels that are optically black for generating reference data for noise compensation. sets of reference pixels in the same row may be coupled to respective shared readout paths in a source follower binning configuration. the shared readout path may be could to downstream readout circuits. the use of shared readout paths for the reference pixels can reduce the number of reference pixel readout paths. if desired, pixel circuitry may be implemented on a first die, while readout circuitry and at least a portion of the reference pixel readout paths may be implemented on a second die mounted to the first die.

Inventor(s): Nicholas Paul COWLEY, Andrew David TALBOT

CPC Classification: H04N25/671 (for non-uniformity detection or correction)

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