Improving low-light CMOS performance with four-transistor four-shared pixel architecture and charge-domain binning

A new architecture found in the KODAK KAC-3100 CMOS Image Sensor has been created to dramatically improve CMOS image performance in mobile applications. The method of operation and implementation is explained and the improvement of performance parameters on image quality is discussed. The benefits of the new architecture are discussed in relation to competitive CMOS technologies used in high-demanding mobile imaging applications today.