A circuit and method for correcting pixel output signals for fixed pattern
noise. Pixels in a selected row of pixels are read after an integration
period and the resulting signals are stored in a first sample and hold
circuit for each column. The pixels in the selected row are then reset
and immediately read again and the resulting signals are stored in a
second sample and hold circuit for each column. The signals in the second
sample and hold circuits are subtracted from the signals in the first
sample and hold circuits to produce signals related to the light seen by
the pixels in the selected row corrected for fixed pattern noise. The
output of the first sample and hold circuits and second sample and hold
circuits can be connected to a subtraction unit and sequentially
activated so that a single subtraction unit is required for the entire
imager. The output of the subtraction unit can connected to a buffer
thereby storing signals corrected for fixed pattern noise in the buffer
using only a single subtraction unit and avoiding the need for a large
memory to store dark pixel signals.