Amplifier gain

Minimum noise after CDS and other corrections

Measured fixed pattern noise for APS 3 or 1, ask Fabrice

Max Pixel Signal (Fe55 max is ~400 e)

Leakage current

Frame readout time

Number of frames read before reset

Total accumulated leakage charge

voltage swing presented to the amplifier as a function of the number of frames read before reset

Amplifier voltage swing from Stuart

Assume 9 bit ADC

Minimum amplifier gain to get 1 ADC count for noise

Maximum amplifier gain to keep all reasonable signals within allowed voltage range

Solid red line shows maximum gain as a function of the number of frame reads before reset. The dotted red line shows the minimum gain to make 1 ADC count = noise.

Some of the parameters going into this result:
9 bit ADC
Leakage: 4 fA
Frame read time 4 ms
Noise 10 e-rms
Maximum pixel signal 900 e
Amplifier voltage swing 1.2 volts

This analysis assumes that the zero signal level is set optimally in the allowed amplifier voltage window.