Pixel Data Output Formats For Color Cameras; The Bayer Color Filter - Basler Pioneer User Manual

11.3 Pixel Data Output Formats for
Color Cameras

11.3.1 The Bayer Color Filter

The sensor used in color models of the camera is equipped with an additive color separation filter
known as a Bayer filter. The pixel data output formats available on color cameras are related to the
Bayer pattern, so you need a basic knowledge of the Bayer filter to understand the pixel formats.
With the Bayer filter, each individual pixel is covered by a micro-lens that allows light of only one
color to strike the pixel. The pattern of the Bayer filter used on the camera is as shown in Figure 41
(the alignment of the Bayer filter with repect to the sensor is shown as an example only; the figure
shows the "BG" filter alignment). As the figure illustrates, within each square of four pixels, one pixel
sees only red light, one sees only blue light, and two pixels see only green light. (This combination
mimics the human eye's sensitivity to color.)
G G
B B B
G R G R G
G G
B B B
G R G R G
G G
B B B
R R
G G G
G G
B B B
R R
G G G
B G B G B
R R
G G G
B G B G B
R R
G G G
B G B G B
R R
G G G
G G
B B B
R R
G G G
Fig. 41: Bayer Filter Pattern
Basler pioneer
G G G
B B B
R G R G R G
G G G
B B B
R G R G R G
G G G
B B B
R R R
G G G
G G G
B B B
R R R
G G G
G B G B G B
R R R
G G G
G B G B G B
R R R
G G G
G B G B G B
R R R
G G G
G G G
B B B
R R R
G G G
G G G
B B
R G R G R
G G G
B B
R G R G R
G G G
B B
R R R
G G
G G G
B B
R R R
G G
G B G B G
R R R
G G
G B G B G
R R R
G G
G B G B G
R R R
G G
G G G
B B
R R R
G G
Pixel Data Formats
Sensor
Pixels
149