Dual ADC

The Dual ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter) feature enables two ADCs to operate simultaneously for each pixel, improving image quality by combining the camera sensor’s high-gain and low-gain signals. This process enhances dynamic range, improves the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and enables better shadow detail and highlight retention, particularly in high dynamic range (HDR) imaging. 

The dual ADC process specifies two modes for combining the camera sensor’s high-gain and low-gain signals:

• Internal Combination: Merges high-gain and low-gain signals within the sensor, producing a single HDR image. This mode simplifies processing, making it ideal for applications requiring quick HDR imaging.
• External Combination: Outputs high-gain and low-gain signals as separate data streams. This mode allows users to combine them externally in the camera's FPGA or on the host, offering flexibility for custom HDR workflows or advanced processing.

Note: Currently Emergent cameras that support dual ADC do so only in internal combination mode.

The Dual ADC feature working in internal combination mode serves as the foundation for these features:

• Dual ADC Exposure Gain
• Dual ADC Exposure Compression
• Dual ADC Exposure Threshold
• Dual ADC Exposure Compression Knee Points
• Dual ADC Exposure Compression Gains

See also the single ADC feature.

Notes:

• 12-bit Support Only: Dual ADC operates only in 12-bit resolution and does not support 8-bit or 10-bit modes.
• No Binning (Mono): Dual ADC is incompatible with binning in monochrome mode.
• No Subsampling (Color): Dual ADC does not work with subsampling in color mode.
• Why? Binning and subsampling disrupt pixel alignment, which is critical for merging high-gain and low-gain signals.

Figure: Dual ADC exposure compression lets you control the compression of the sensor's mid-level and high-level signals

DualADC node

• Access mode: Read/Write
• Node type: Boolean
• Values:
  • True (T): Enables Dual ADC for enhanced dynamic range.
  • False (F): Disables Dual ADC, using standard ADC functionality.

You can use the eSDK API functions to get and set the node’s current value.

For more information about related features, see Image Format Control Features.