Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

HTC published a new generation Ultrapixel camera teaser in this Youtube video:

)

GSM Arena: Meanwhile the leaked ad from Australian carrier Telstra says that the all-new HTC One will have Duo camera allowing 3D effects, background softening and selecting a focus point:

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Information about SETi (Seoul Electronics and Telecom - imaging) is quite scarse in English-speaking Internet. The company is publicly traded at KOSDAQ and regularly files quarterly reports. The Nov, 2013 report is the latest published and has a plenty of information about the company's business (automatic translation):

"Our competitive advantage is in process technology and design company specializing in Fabless despite mass production to the highest quality and support. Commercialization of the technology we hold Shared Pixel technology is designed as a manufacturer of domestic design development completed in 2006 and was the first mass-produced in 2007, succeeded. Shared Pixel Pixel in units of some of the elements that are common to multiple Pixel to the common use of the remaining area and optical efficiency can increase as the technology used to place the device, this structure enables Pixel unit between the physical / electrical symmetry Pixel differences between the characteristics of the two broken occur Sensor Chip, which results in a performance drop to their unique company specializing in the design process that does not use technology that is difficult to introduce.

(C) the ability to respond to market quality products
Our flagship product is a 300,000 up to 2 million pixels CMOS products (VGA level) and the Taiwan handset market direction of mainly low-cost laptops to be targeting a Web Cam. The increase in demand for high-resolution product compared megapixel technology to ensure the design of the product and the roadmap to gradually expand the high-resolution product available. In addition to excellent image quality in order to meet customer demands for HD (High Definition) video HD Pixel structure which can cope with the successful development of the mass production, and applied to smart phones as a camera sensor for a non-conventional manner parallel Interface , Serial (MIPI) Interface type of product development. further, the image sensor is not normal for taking additional special features, such as image sensors and special purpose planning to develop high value-added products."


The presentation is supported by many market size data from June 2011 TSR report:

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Samsung publishes another Youtube video on its ISOCELL technology:

)

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Hamamatsu publishes datasheets of ToF image sensors that it announced a year ago. A linear sensor S11963-01CR has 256 pixels of 20um x 50um size. The area sensor S11962-01CR features a 64 x 64 array of 40um pixels. The area sensor S11963-01CR has a 160 x 120 array of 30um pixels. The sensors share the same spectral response:

S11963 Block Diagram

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

American Association of Physicists in Medicine published a video lecture on photon-counting detectors in dual energy CT imaging and image quality on clinical CT applications. No embedding is allowed, one can watch it only on Vimeo site.

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

The International Time-of-Flight Workshop will be held on March 9-12, 2014 in Ein-Gedi, Israel. The invitation-only event was initiated and is hosted by Dr. Giora Yahav from Microsoft Israel R&D center. The organizing committee includes:

Erhardt Barth (University of Lübeck / Gestigon, DE)
Shahram Izadi (Microsoft Research, UK)
Nobukazu Teranishi (University of Hyogo / Shizuoka University, JP)
Christian Theobalt (MPI für Informatik – Saarbrücken, DE)
Giora Yahav (Chairman, Microsoft R&D, IL)
Erez Tadmor (Organizer, Microsoft R&D, IL)

The workshop agenda:

• Edoardo Charbon, University of Delft
  “Time-of-Flight Approaches to SPAD and SiPM Imaging”
• Christoph Garbe, University of Heidelberg,
  “Algorithmic Enhancement and Validation for Time-of-Flight Imaging”
• Christian Theobalt, MPI Informatik
  “Sensor Fusion in Time-of-Flight Imaging and Depth-Based Performance Capture”
• Zeev Zalevsky, Bar-Ilan University
  “Novel Concepts for Photonic Ranging”
• Johannes Steurer, ARRI
  “Exploring New Avenues in Motion Picture Production: A Groundbreaking RGB+Z Camera Demands Cutting-Edge Time-of-Flight Technology”
• Nobukazu Teranishi, University of Hyogo / Shizuoka University
  “A Review for Global Shutter Image Sensors” - keynote
• Erez Tadmor, Microsoft
  “Time-of-Flight Image Sensor Characterization”
• Tohru Yamada, AIS Panasonic
  “Pixel Design and Technologies for Time-of-Flight Sensor”
• Reinhard Koch, University of Kiel,
  “Model-based Analysis of Dynamic Scenes from Range-Color Video”
• Amos Feningstein, TowerJazz
  “IR SPAD Development in TowerJazz”
• Ruigang Yang, University of Kentucky
  “High-Accuracy Gait Analysis using A Single Depth Camera for Medical Applications”
• Erhardt Barth, University of Luebeck / Gestigon
  “Gesture Interfaces with Depth Sensors” - keynote
• Keita Yasutomi, Shizuoka University
  “High-Resolution Time-of-Flight Range Imagers with Lateral Electric Field Modulators”
• Matthias Hullin, MPI Informatik / University of Bonn
  “Transient Imaging with Photonic Mixer Devices”
• Daniel Freedman, Microsoft
  “Sparse Reflections Analysis: Fast Removal of General Multipath for Time-of-Flight Sensors”
• Assaf Lahav, TowerJazz
  “Ultra High Speed Imaging - Highlights from Kirania”
• Ayush Bhandari, MIT media lab
  “Multi-frequency Methods for Solving Inverse Problems in TOF Imaging”
• Andreas Kolb, University of Siegen
  “Time-of-Flight Data Processing, Challenges and Solutions” - keynote
• Daniel Van Nieuwenhove, Softkinetic
  “Time-of-Flight: How to Make Lower Power, Lower Noise and Higher Accuracy Work Together”
• Juergen Gall, University of Bonn
  “From Pose to Affordance”
• Shahram Izadi, Microsoft Research
  ”Designing Interactive User Experiences Using Advanced 3D Computer Vision Techniques”
• Bernhard Buttgen, MESA Imaging
  “Power Considerations for Time-of-Flight Imaging in Mobile Devices”
• Seiichiro Mizuno, Solid State Division - Hamamatsu Photonics
  “Industrial Time-of-Flight Sensor Development at Hamamatsu Photonics”
• Micha Feigin-Almon, MIT media lab
  “Time Resolved Imaging and Applications”
• Yebin Liu, Tsinghua University
  “Fourier Analysis on Transient Imaging by Time-of-Flight Camera”
• Refael Whyte, Waikato University
  “Novel Methods for Resolving Multipath in Time-of-Flight Cameras”
• Ofer David, BrightWay Vision
  “Active Gated Imaging for Automotive Safety Applications”

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

PR Newswire: Frost & Sullivan Strategic Analysis of the World Optical and Image Sensors Market, finds that the market earned revenues of $9.07 billion in 2013 and estimates this to reach $15.12 billion in 2019. "Maintaining a balance between high image quality, technology and price is the biggest challenge for optical and image sensor suppliers. This is compounded by the large number of established and emerging participants, especially in the consumer electronics segment that have intensified competition and pricing pressures. Since smaller manufacturers find it difficult to differentiate products by any factor other than price, their entry into high-volume application markets will be tough.

Another barrier for entrants is the strong brand image and customer loyalty that established competitors have built in the image sensors market. Smaller manufacturers need to enhance their product development and target niche areas (low volume but high margin) to contend with large companies."

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Business Wire: Dongbu HiTek confirmes that it is volume manufacturing "X3 Quattro" direct image sensors for Foveon for its parent company Sigma. "Foveon’s newly developed X3 Quattro sensors can deliver 39 megapixel-equivalent ultrahigh resolution to enable stunning image quality" said Jae Song, Dongbu HiTek EVP of marketing. "Compared to prior sensor designs, this represents a 30% increase in pixel detail without the need to increase chip size. We take great pride in being the only foundry capable of processing and manufacturing Foveon’s specialized sensors using a pixel-stacking architecture.” He noted that Dongbu HiTek has been processing and manufacturing innovative CIS devices for Foveon for over a decade, and that the latest 39 megapixel-equivalent sensor has been in production for more than nine months."

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

CMOSIS announces the CMV8000, a 4/3-inch 8MP sensor based on 5.5µm 8T glogal shutter pixel architecture. From an electro-optical point-of-view the CMV8000 offers the same performance as the older CMV2000 and CMV4000 sensors. "With the introduction of the CMV8000 we respond to the requests of many of our customer for a sensor with CMV performance closing the resolution gap that existed between our CMV4000 and CMV12000 image sensors", said Lou Hermans, COO, CMOSIS. "The full frame rate of 104 frames per second is achieved by using the proven data interfacing of the recently launched CMV12000."

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Business Wire: In response to significant customer demand, SiOnyx launches its imaging technology licensing program. The program allows sensor designers and manufacturers to independently produce their own products based on Black Silicon XQE process.

The commodity image sensors don’t work very well in IR. The SiOnyx Black Silicon XQE platform solves that problem by providing a 400% improvement in IR sensitivity.

"Since introducing our XQE family of infrared enhanced CMOS image sensors, we’ve been approached by an overwhelming number of companies seeking to take advantage of the unique performance of black silicon in their own production lines," said Stephen Saylor, CEO of SiOnyx. "To support these customers we’ve already proven the efficacy and performance gains of our proprietary laser process in a number of third-party designs."

"Infrared imaging has emerged as a critical requirement in mobile devices seeking to add features in natural user interface and biometrics. Adoption of the XQE platform in these markets drives significant economies of scale for SiOnyx and helps to ensure that our technology will dominate the landscape for low cost infrared imaging," said Eric Mazur, SiOnyx founder and the Balkanski Professor of Physics and Applied Physics at Harvard University.

Built on a decade of collaborative research, SiOnyx and Harvard University now hold over 70 patents relating to the black silicon process and sensor integration. SiOnyx is the exclusive licensee of Harvard’s patents relating to black silicon and has developed its own portfolio of XQE CMOS images sensors based on the technology for defense and commercial night vision applications.

A video below shows the night vision capabilities of SiOnyx XQE-1310 sensor:

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

DxOMark gave Red Epic Dragon sensor a record high sensor performance score, higher than all Nikon, Canon and Sony DSLRs:


"With a 5-point lead over the Nikon D800E which was the previous best-performing sensor in our database, the Epic Dragon achieves the highest DxOMark score we’ve seen to date, at 101 points. Given that the Dragon is the new reference for sensor quality, it’s all the more impressive when you consider both its size (similar to an APS-H size sensor) and the fact that it shoots ultra-high frame rates at full resolution."

Red Dragon sensor is 19MP, 30.7 x 15.8mm Bayer pattern sensor with 16-bit ADC, and supports different resolutions including 6K video (6144 x 3160 pixels). For the tests, the camera was set to full 6K resolution at 23.98 fps.


"With a sensor area 0.56 x smaller by surface area than a 35mm (24 x 36 mm) full frame sensor, the results are very impressive. As the sensor and image processor can deliver very high frame rates, the Epic Dragon is certainly adopting multiple sampling techniques to reduce noise levels (also known as temporal noise reduction). Without such processing, such high SNR would only be possible from a sensor with an exceptional Full Well Capacity. Performances like this seem, to us, above the current technical capabilities of CMOS sensors.

As a side note, it’s interesting to speculate whether rivals such as Nikon, Canon or Sony are already adopting such techniques during video capture or in jpeg. But, this is the first time we can assess this type of performance on still RAW."

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Seeking Alpha published TowerJazz earnings call transcript where the company talks about oncoming CIS foundry process based on Panasonic fab capabilities:

"The JV has multiple additional specialty flows, including Panasonic's world-class, high definition front side illumination, low dark current CMOS image sensor technology, and high voltage SOI based power management technologies. Panasonic's High Definition FSI is a world leading CMOS image sensor benchmark technology for high quantum efficiency. It is a unique technology that enables the use of front side illumination, even for small pixels, against the current industry trend of using expensive and less efficient back side illumination. Panasonic's dark current performance, CMOS image sensor technology, is known to be of the best in the industry, not only due to the average very low dark currents, even at elevated temperatures, but also with extremely small tail for high dark current pixels, known as bright pixels. As a result, Panasonic's technology allows excellent images at lowlight conditions. Already, we have begun engagements with multiple, first-year, brand-recognized, high-end camera makers for applications our internal technologies could not serve, prior to this joint venture."

"the new exciting joint venture with Panasonic opens an outstanding growth path for our CIS business unit with Panasonic's 12-inch, 65-nanometer CIS technology. We plan to use this facility to penetrate new markets such as high-end DSLR for professional photography, and high-end security cameras. Panasonic's extremely high-quality process, including their outstanding high definition FSI, combined with our stitching technology, is very appealing. And we are in active discussions with customers about high-volume, high-margin opportunities."

Then the company reports about its image sensor business achievements:

"Revenues from our CMOS Image Sensor business unit grew by approximately 20%, as compared to 2012. We expect it to grow substantially in the coming 2 years and beyond. Design wins of CMOS Image Sensors over the past 2 years have totaled 75 different products. As you know, this business unit targets the markets of high-end photography, cinematography and broadcasting segments, as well as medical and dental x-ray sensors, high-end industrial, high frame-rate sensors, automotive and security sensors and 3D sensors for gesture control applications. The high-end video market is in a worldwide growth phase, which we are enjoying.

Our market share in the high-end photography and broadcasting segment is now close to 50%. The 2 leading cinematography camera suppliers and one of the market leaders in broadcasting segment, are making their sensors exclusively with us.

The dental x-ray market, we are the market-leading supplier with over 70% market share in intraoral dental sensors. We are growing substantially in the extraoral market, with 2 new major suppliers that are ramping to volume production this year. The industrial sensor market, growing at a 30% CAGR, is also an important sector for us where we are delivering high volumes for several of our European customers.

Last year, we announced a large deal with a market leader for a consumer 3D gesture control sensor. We expect this to move into volume production during 2014, with a major ramp in 2015 and 2016."

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Seattle, WA-based Image Algorithmics comes with a way to extend DR of RGB-W sensors by eliminating the over-exposed W pixels in its demosaicing solution: "Our processing trades off overexposure performance with artifacting and can tolerate 6dB of overexposure on typical images with little artifacting. This corresponds to a 3dB increase in the dynamic range of the system and enables the RGBW CFA to equal the noise performance of a Bayer sensor with twice the pixel area."

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Previously announced 7th Fraunhofer IMS Workshop on CMOS Imaging: From Photon to Camera to be held in Duisburg, Germany om May 20-21, 2014, announces a change in its agenda: the new Aptina CTO Sandor Barna will present "Evolution and Limitations for Mobile Image Sensors."

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

PR Newswire: Omnivision's revenues for the recent quarter, ended on Jan 31, 2013 were $352.0M, as compared to $397.2M in the previous quarter, and $423.5M a year ago. GAAP net income in the quarter was $30.6M, as compared to net income of $26.3M in the previous quarter, and $21.3M a year ago. GAAP gross margin for the last quarter was 19.6%, as compared to 18.8% in the previousr quarter or 16.9% a year ago. The sequential increase in gross margin was primarily attributable to continued reduction in the company's overall production costs.

The company ended the period with cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $393.0M, an increase of $127.4M from the previous quarter. The increase was primarily attributable to cash provided by operating activities in the last quarter.

Based on current trends, the company expects revenues for the next quarter will be in the range of $275M to $305M. "Our third quarter performance was better than we expected, and we continued to report improvements on multiple financial metrics, including gross margin and cash position," said Shaw Hong, CEO of OmniVision. "Our flagship PureCel sensors are gaining traction in the market. PureCel sensors have significantly better pixel performance, lower power consumption, and an attractive cost structure. We are very excited about our new product lineup."

Update: SeekingAlpha published Omnivision's earning call transcript. Few quotes:

"we shipped 214 million units as compared to the 237 million units in our prior quarter. The average selling price in our third quarter was $1.64 as compared to $1.67 in the prior quarter. The slight decrease in the ASP was driven by quarterly price erosion across product lines in all regional markets."

"Related to licensing of certain CMOS image sensor-related patents from the California Institute of Technology for the [licensing] arrangement that total fee was approximately $25.3 million."- this is a flat fee, not tied to the number of units sold, as later clarified in Q&A session.

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

It looks like Novatek keeps going image sensor design activity, just like Himax, its arch-rival in display drivers. No products have been announced so far, but patents are trickling (US20120268638, US20130206960, US20130016259, US20130327922, and more). The latest one, US20140042300 "Image sensor and column analog-to-digital converter thereof" by Jer-Hao Hsu talks about a ramp ADC with dual latch to store two signals, possibly to combine them for HDR:

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Teledyne DALSA announces that it has received a financial commitment totaling $13M from Investissement Québec to expand the Company’s MEMS and Infrared Imaging capabilities in the Province of Québec. Out of that amount, a $10M is intended to develop advanced IR products at its Bromont and Montreal facilities. Teledyne DALSA is extending its reach beyond its visible and X-ray products into infrared imaging to be "able to see the heat the objects emit", that is MWIR or LWIR.

"MEMS and Infrared Imaging are two strategic areas of focus for Teledyne DALSA with good growth potential," commented Brian Doody, CEO of Teledyne DALSA, Inc. "The development and full production of infrared devices in Québec will further strengthen our position as a leader in digital imaging and semiconductors, at a time when the infrared imaging market is experiencing strong growth."

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Business Wire, 1st Samsung Tomorrow post, 2nd Samsung Tomorrow post: Samsung’s new 13MP ISOCELL CIS features Smart WDR technology, which allows users to capture images at 30fps. With a mosaic pattern of multiple exposures, images are then processed with an advanced algorithm for wider dynamic range. This Smart WDR feature is based on Samsung’s advanced 65nm stacked process, where the pixel array is attached on top of the logic circuit. Samsung’s 13MP product is sampling now and is scheduled for mass production in Q2 2014.

Another newly announced sensor, a 16MP ISOCELL, has a 16:9 aspect ratio. This high-speed sensor captures full FOV 16:9 full HD (1080p) video at 60fps, and for the first time in the industry, enables continuous shooting of all 16MP at 30fps. Samples of the 16MP ISOCELL CIS are available now and scheduled for mass production in Q1 2014.

ISOCELL Explanation

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Business Wire: A gesture recognition company PointGrab won the prize for the “2014 Most Innovative Mobile App” at MWC Global Mobile Awards, in recognition of their popular mobile hand gesture camera app, CamMe.

"We are happy to have our efforts recognized, confirming CamMe as a ground-breaking example of top tier technology translated seamlessly into an enjoyable and valuable consumer experience," said Assaf Gad, CMO of PointGrab. "CamMe has been so well received and the app just goes to prove that consumers want hand gesture control in their everyday lives when it is done in a practical and useful way."

CamMe allows users to take a picture even when their phone is not in hand (from up to 16 feet away) simply requiring the user to raise a hand and make a fist to begin a countdown before the photo is taken. With over 1 million downloads to date, CamMe provides an example of a very practical integration of hand gesture technology for mobile platforms.

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

PR Newswire: OmniVision announces that it is working with Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) team to develop tracking, mapping and motion in 3D. OmniVision’s new OV4682 and OV7251 image sensors provide imaging functionality to the project’s Android-based smartphone and development kit.

As the main camera, the OV4682 is the eye of Project Tango’s mobile device. The OV4682 is a 4MP RGB IR image sensor that captures high-resolution images and video as well as IR information, enabling depth analysis. The sensor features a 2um OmniBSI-2 pixel and records 4MP images and video in a 16:9 format at 90fps, with a quarter of the pixels dedicated to capturing IR. From the product page: "The sensor's 2-micron OmniBSI-2 pixel delivers excellent signal-to-noise ratio and IR sensitivity, and offers best-in-class low-light sensitivity with a 40 percent increase in sensitivity compared to the 1.75-micron OmniBSI-2 pixel. The OV4682's unique architecture and pixel optimization bring not only the best IR performance but also best-in-class image quality. Additionally, the sensor reduces system-level power consumption by optimizing RGB and IR timing."

The OV7251 CameraChip sensor is capable of capturing VGA resolution video at 100fps using a global shutter. The low-power VGA sensor provides excellent low-light sensitivity and motion tracking information for device orientation data.

OV4682 Spec

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Tech Radar, Toms Guide met with Rambus at MWC to see its imaging offerings. Rambus says that its Binary Pixel is closer to market now, and provides a DSLR-like HDR in mobile form factor. The lensless imager prototype is as small as 200um and can reproduce Mona Lisa picture by post-processing light pased through a spiral-shaped grating:

Lensless camera prototype

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Business Wire: MIPI Alliance is to release new, higher speed grades of its spec, driven by 2K and 4K video adoption in mobile devices. The new versions of MIPI specifications include:

• D-PHY with expanded lanes and higher bandwidths which can provide over 20Gbps of performance, while still keeping costs low.
• M-PHY will continue to push performance with gear 3 (5.8Mbps/lane) which is available today and gear 4 (11.6Gbps/lane) which will be available later this year.
• MIPI PHYs, in conjunction with the latest versions of Camera Serial Interface (CSI) and Display Serial Interface (DSI) specifications, and aided by VESA compression technology, are able to support the industry’s newest technologies with higher speeds, better performance and more features.

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Most foundries do not offer microlens for pixels larger than 8um. It appears that CSEM Muttenz (Switzerland) has a microlens process for pixels as large as 25um, possibly more. The microlens described in OSA paper "Measurement and modeling of microlenses fabricated on single-photon avalanche diode arrays for fill factor recovery" by Juan Mata Pavia, Martin Wolf, and Edoardo Charbon.

"A quartz mold was utilized to imprint the microlenses in a sol-gel polymer on top of the SPAD array. The polymer used for the fabrication of the microlenses was ORMOCER. In the manufacturing process the polymer is deposited on top of the imager, the mold is then brought into contact with the polymer and pressure is applied. The polymer is then UV cured and thermally stabilized in an oven."

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Qualcomm announces that LG G Pro 2 smartphone features Qualcomm "Magic Focus" running on its Snapdragon 800 processor and allowing a Lytro or Pelican-style re-focus after the picture is taken. Qualcomm video explanation of its Magic Focus is in this post.

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Digitimes: Taiwan-based testing house King Yuan Electronics (KYEC) received large orders for CMOS sensors, according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times. KYEC utilization rate is expected to remain at 100% through Q3 2014. OmniVision and Aptina reportedly are among KYEC's image sensor customers.

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Business Wire: Newly announced Samsung Galaxy S5 has 16MP camera with two interesting features:

• Phase Detection Auto Focus - first smartphone with phase detection auto focus
• Real-Time HDR enables users to capture HDR photos or videos with no shutter lag or post-processing.

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Imagination announces its first IP core based on PowerVR Raptor imaging processor architecture. The high-performance, low-power, low-area PowerVR Series2 V2500 core targeting a broad range of devices from cost-sensitive, mass-market feature phones to automotive to connected home security to premium smartphones and tablets. The V2500 core joins PowerVR Series5 video and still image encoders and decoders to form a complete, integrated vision platform.

The V2500 core supports of 4K video and high pixel count photography in mobile devices and tablets. The processing pipelines of the V2500 from CMOS sensor to RGB and YUV offer 1D and 2D image processing and image enhancement with a full local tonemapper for enhanced DR. The pixel depth of the pipeline can be configured to match the sensor, conserving power compared to ISPs with fixed datapath widths.

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

Business Wire: Aptina will demonstrate the industry’s first 25MP mobile image sensor at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week. The new AR2520HS can capture full 25MP resolution and 4K video at 30fps, as well as delivers slow motion capture of 120fps for 1080p HD video all at full FOV. The sensor also supports Aptina MobileHDR technology.

The AR2520HS’s BSI 1/2-inch optical format increases the light capture area by 88% over traditional 1/3-inch mobile image sensors. To ensure high-speed processing of full resolution video and still images, the AR2520HS uniquely outputs multi-gigabit data streams via both 8 lane MIPI and 12 lane HiSPi (High-Speed Pixel Interface). Compatability with existing Aptina 18 megapixel (AR1820HS) lens designs ensures that mobile OEMs and camera module makers can more rapidly design the AR2520HS into new devices.

"The AR2520HS offers an astounding full field-of-view 120 frames-per-second slow motion capture. To further enhance the experience, this is coupled with our MobileHDR technology to ensure amazing mixed-light performance," said Sandor Barna, CTO at Aptina. "Aptina, with this ultra-high-performance sensor, is delivering the full camera experience into mobile phones and tablets."

The AR2520HS will be available for sampling in Q2 2014.

"The momentum in the camera market has shifted emphatically from digital still cameras to mobile devices. The market for image sensors in the mobile device segment was $4.9 billion in 2012, and is forecast to grow to $8.7 billion in 2017, and Aptina’s AR2520HS sensor is designed for this segment," said Brian O'Rourke, senior principal analyst of consumer electronics at IHS.

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

DxO announces that it has licensed its Electronic Image Stabilization (DxO EIS) technology to ALCATEL ONETOUCH, a division of TCL Communication (Shenzhen, China), the world’s fifth-largest handset manufacturer. "The embedded imaging technology DxO will now deliver into our handsets sets a new benchmark in putting high image quality and professional-looking video results into the hands of our consumers, delivering an incredible camera experience. This is integral to our vision of creating smartphones that combine simplicity of use with best in class functionality,” says Dan Dery, CMO ALCATEL ONETOUCH.
"We are very keen on partnering with ALCATEL ONETOUCH to bring our leading video stabilization solution to new markets," says Jerome Meniere, CEO of DxO. "Consumers are increasingly turning to their mobile phones as their primary video camera. While the visual quality of a video is driven by a number of factors, image stability adds significantly to the overall user experience. DxO EIS offers full steadicam-like image stabilization, comparable to professional camcorder devices, without the use of mechanical parts."

Go to the original article...

Image Sensors World        Go to the original article...

NHK Broadcast Technology Magazine No.55, Winter 2014 presents a CIGS-based "photoconductive film capable of multiplying the original charges generated by the incident light by many times simply with a low applied voltage" which can be deposited on top of image (charge) sensor to improve its low-light sensitivity:


The feature article talks about the progress in 8K UHDTV image sensors:


Another feature article talks about NHK R&D on high speed image sensors. "It is currently possible to purchase a monochrome camera with a resolution of 100,000 pixels that can capture video at up to ten million frames per second."

Go to the original article...