Specifications

Chapter 6 Exposure and Readout 57

++++

A2 B2 C2 D2

A1 B1

C1 D1

C2 D2

C1 D1

A2 B2

A1 B1

C2 D2

C1 D1

Figure 29. 2 × 2 binning for images

Binning also reduces readout time and the burden on computer memory, but at the

expense of resolution. Since shift register pixels typically hold only twice as much

charge as image pixels, the binning of large sections may result in saturation and

“blooming”, or spilling of charge back into the image area.

The readout rate for n × n binning is approximated using a more general version of the

full resolution equation. The modified equation is:

N N

N t

Rxy

sr v

(3)