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GlobeNewsWire: TowerJazz announces that BrightWay Vision has chosen its TS18IS process to manufacture image sensors for its patented automotive cameras, specifically forward looking cameras in vehicles, to allow visibility in all weather conditions. BrightWay Vision has developed BrightEye, an advanced camera for day and night-time forward facing driver assistance functions based on gated imaging technology.TowerJazz and BrightWay Vision jointly developed a unique gated pixel, something that until now has never been produced on silicon as it requires extremely fast charge transfer on the pixel. This sensor, based fully on a CMOS process, provides superior performance over competing solutions based on thermal vision technologies, and is much more cost effective. A "gated" sensor allows collecting light that is reflected back from objects at a specific distance from the vehicle, thus eliminating the noise level that is usually associated with ambient light. This sensor also allows the system to accurately measure the distance of certain objects from the vehicle and alert the driver accordingly.
BrightWay's Youtube video compares different vision technologies. The clip consists of three video channels captured simultaneously by three different cameras with the same field of view, positioned in the same direction:
- Pulsed Light & Gated Image Sensor (BrightWay Vision active-gated imaging technology).
Outcome: The image is clear and the person in the kayak is noticeable. The backscatter residual signal originating from the reflected signal from nearby droplets is negligible. - Continuous Near Infrared Light & HDR Image Sensor.
Outcome: Backscatter originating from the reflected signal from nearby droplets is masking the image. - Passive LWIR.
Outcome: The emitted signal of objects (e.g. person on the kayak) are masked due to the droplets’ emitted signal.
"We are absolutely thrilled with the performance of our sensor using TowerJazz's leading edge CIS technology," said Ofer David, CEO of BrightWay Vision. "The tight cooperation on the development between our R&D team and the excellent pixel development team of TowerJazz, allowed us to produce a very high performing sensor that is now being evaluated by leading car manufacturers."
"Our distinctive technology and deep knowledge and experience in global shutter pixels allowed us to develop a unique pixel that cannot be found elsewhere and can provide a gated image in a high frame rate with extremely good pixel properties," said Avi Strum, VP and GM of the CIS Business Unit at TowerJazz. "We have very high confidence in BrightWay's capabilities and ability to drive this breakthrough solution into the automotive market."
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