Pike
Technical
Manual
V5.2.3
138
Description of the data path
Description
of
the
data
path
Binning (monochrome models only)
2 ×, 4 ×, 8 × binning
Definition
Binning
is
the
process
of
combining
neighboring
pixels
while
being
read
out
from
the
CCD
chip.
Binning
is
used
primarily
for
3
reasons:
•
A
reduction
in
the
number
of
pixels;
thus,
the
amount
of
data
while
retaining
the
original
image
area
angle
•
An
increase
in
the
frame
rate
(vertical
binning
only)
•
A
brighter
image,
resulting
in
an
improvement
in
the
signal-to-noise
ratio
of
the
image
(depending
on
the
acquisition
conditions)
Signal-to-noise ratio
(SNR)
and
signal-to-noise separation
specify
the
quality
of
a
signal
with
regard
to
its
reproduction
of
intensities.
The
value
signifies
how
high
the
ratio
of
noise
is
in
regard
to
the
maximum
achievable
signal
intensity.
The
higher
this
value,
the
better
the
signal
quality.
The
unit
of
measurement
used
is
generally
known
as
the
decibel
(dB),
a
logarithmic
power
level.
6
dB
is
the
signal
level
at
approximately
a
factor
of
2.
However,
the
advantages
of
increasing
signal
quality
are
accompanied
by
a
reduction
in
resolution.
Format_7 only
Binning
is
possible
only
in
video
Format_7.
The
type
of
binning
used
depends
on
the
video
mode.
Types
In
general,
we
distinguish
between
the
following
types
of
binning
(H=horizontal,
V=vertical):
•
2
×
H-binning
•
2
×
V-binning
•
4
×
H-binning
•
4
×
V-binning
•
8
×
H-binning
•
8
×
V-binning
and
the
full
binning
modes:
•
2
×
full
binning
(a
combination
of
2
×
H-binning
and
2
×
V-binning)
Note
•
Only
monochrome
Pike
cameras
have
this
feature.
•
Binning
does
not
change
offset,
brightness
or
blacklevel.
Note
Changing
binning
modes
involves
the
generation
of
new
shading
reference
images
due
to
a
change
in
the
image
size.
