Nano Series GigE Vision Camera Operational Reference • 197
Binning Function and Limitations
Binning is the process where the charge on two (or more) adjacent pixels is combined. This results
in increased light sensitivity since there is twice the sensor area to capture photons. The sensor
spatial resolution is reduced but the improved low-light sensitivity plus lower signal-noise ratio may
solve a difficult imaging situation. The user can evaluate the results of the binning function on the
Genie Nano by using CamExpert.
Horizontal and vertical binning functions are independent, by factors of 2 or 4 in each axis.
Specifically if horizontal binning only is activated, a nominal 640x480 image is reduced to 320x480.
If vertical binning only is activated, the image is reduced to 640x240. With both binning modes
activated, the resulting image is 320x240.
Binning is performed digitally therefore there is no increase in acquisition frame rate. The following
graphic illustrates binning.
1 640639432
1
2 320
Horizontal Binning
by 2
Line
1
Line
2
Line
3
Line
4
Line
479
Line
480
Line
1
Line
2
Line
240
Repeated for each
line of pixels
Repeated for each column of pixels
Vertical Binning
by 2
Horizontal and Vertical Binning Illustration
Horizontal Binning Constraints
• Horizontal Binning of 2 requires a minimum frame width of 128 pixels or more.
• Horizontal Binning of 4 requires a minimum frame width of 256 pixels or more.
Vertical Binning Constraints
• Vertical Binning of 4 is available if the image height before binning is a multiple of 4 lines.
• Vertical Binning of 2 is available if the image height before binning is a multiple of 2 lines.