Patent ID: 7586074

Claim:
A method for operating a unit cell, comprising: inputting photocurrent to an input node that is coupled to an output of a detector of electromagnetic radiation; integrating said photocurrent during a first integration period on a first capacitor that is switchably coupled to said input node; integrating said photocurrent during a second integration period on a second capacitor that is switchably coupled to said input node; and selectively coupling said first capacitor to an output signal line during a first readout period for reading out the integrated charge on said first capacitor, and selectively coupling said second capacitor to said output signal line during a second readout period for reading out the integrated charge on said second capacitor; where in one mode of operation during a frame period a duration of said first integration period is one of greater than or less than said second integration period such that said first integration period is one of a higher gain integration period or a lower gain integration period, relative to said second integration period, respectively, and where said higher gain integration period is split into two periods separated by said lower gain integration period.