Optical black pixel readout for image sensor data correction

Abstract

Providing for analog averaging of optical black pixels of an image sensor is described herein. By way of example, optical black pixel signals can be output by a row of pixels and provided in a parallel manner to a readout circuit. The readout circuit can include an averaging circuit that, when activated, generates an analog average of signals received at the readout circuit. The analog average can be sampled at any suitable signal output of the readout circuit, or multiple samples can be acquired to mitigate temporal noise, improve yield, and so on. By utilizing analog averaging, optical black pixel information can be obtained much more quickly than with digital counterparts, and optical black pixels can be fully utilized, as well as utilized more flexibly, in generating the black pixel output. Further sensor die size can be reduced, by replacing digital adders, dividers or shifters with the averaging circuit.