Imaging systems and methods for mitigating pixel data quantization error

A method of mitigating signal noise in an imaging system having pixel value correction circuitry, a plurality of image pixels, and at least one reference pixel, the method comprising:

• with the pixel value correction circuitry, obtaining a first pixel value from the plurality of image pixels and a second pixel value from the at least one reference pixel;
• with the pixel value correction circuitry, generating a random sequence of binary bits;
• with the pixel value correction circuitry, adding at least one bit of the random sequence of binary bits to the second pixel value to generate a pixel correction value;
• and
• with the pixel value correction circuitry, subtracting the pixel correction value from the first pixel value.

A system, comprising:

• a central processing unit;
• memory;
• input-output circuitry;
• and
• an imaging device, wherein the imaging device comprises:
• an array of image pixels having a first group of pixels configured to generate first pixel values and a second group of pixels that is different from the first group of pixels that is configured to generate second pixel values;
• a lens that focuses light onto the array;
• correction value dithering circuitry configured to generate randomized correction values based on the second pixel values;
• and
• subtraction circuitry configured to generate noise-corrected pixel data by subtracting the randomized correction values from the first pixel values.