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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."Archives for February 2014
Omnivision Reports Quarterly Results
February 28, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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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.
Novatek Continues CIS Activity
February 27, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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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:
Teledyne Dalsa Receives Funding to Expand into IR Imaging
February 27, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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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."
Samsung Sampling Stacked Image Sensors, Production in Q2 2014
February 26, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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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.
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| ISOCELL Explanation |
PointGrab Wins “2014 Most Innovative Mobile App” Award
February 26, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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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.
Omnivision Supplies 3D Sensors for Google Project Tango
February 26, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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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.
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| OV4682 Spec |
Rambus Presents its Imaging Projects at MWC
February 26, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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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 |
MIPI Enhances Interface Speed
February 25, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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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.
CSEM Develops Microlens for Large Pixels
February 25, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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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."
LG Flagship Smartphone Features Qualcomm "Magic Focus"
February 25, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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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.KYEC Reportedly Receives Large Orders
February 25, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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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.Samsung Galaxy S5 Camera
February 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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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.
Imagination Releases PowerVR Raptor Imaging Processor IP Core
February 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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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.
Aptina Unveils 1/2-inch 25MP Sensor for Smartphones
February 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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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.
DxO Licenses its EIS to TCL
February 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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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."
Nikon 50mm f1.4G review – the best value f1.4 Nikkor lens!
February 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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When Nikon launched the AF-S 50mm f1.4G five and a half years ago, it became its new flagship standard prime lens. It replaced the much older AF 50mm f1.4D, sharing the same bright aperture, but featuring SWM allowing it to autofocus quickly and quietly on all Nikon DSLRs including the lower end D3x00 and D5x00 ranges. But fast forward to 2014 and the AF-S 50mm f1.4G now finds itself sandwiched between the more affordable AF-S 50mm f1.8G and the new flagship model, the AF-S 58mm f1.4G. Find out how it measures-up on the most demanding Nikon body in our fully updated Nikon 50mm f1.4G review!NHK Imaging Projects
February 23, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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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."
Samsung Launches a Series of LED Flashes
February 23, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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Samsung Tomorrow blog introduces new flashes for smartphones and tablets. The new reflector-integrated flash LED ─ the 3432 1.8t (FH341A) delivers over 165 lux at 1A and a minimum CRI (Color Rendering Index) of 80. Another reflector integrated LED 3432 1.4t (FH341B) is specifically designed for extra-slim LED mobile solutions. The 3432 1.4t package includes a reflector and is only 1.4mm thick, fitting to smartphones and tablets thinner than 7mm. In addition, it provides a minimum illuminance level of 165 lux.
Panasonic Introduces 1/3-inch 1.33MP Sensors for Security Applications
February 23, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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Panasonic publishes a flyer presenting MN34210PL and MN34219PL sensors for security and surveillance applications. The sensors feature:- Able to capture sharp and vivid color images at 0.05 lux
- High speed, up to 120fps
- New Wide Dynamic Range function supports high speed and high sensitivity movie
- Industry’s leading low noise sensor (no numbers)
- Industry’s leading low power consumption sensor (no numbers)
ST on Image Sensor Market, More
February 22, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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ST presented its view on image sensor market at Leti Imaging workshop on June 28, 2013: "CMOS image sensors fish market : Catch of the day" by Marc Vasseur. Few interesting slides from the presentation:
Maru LSI Demos Background Elimination
February 21, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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Maru LSI posted another video showing how its VIPS IR/RGB sensor can eliminate the background with a pulsed IR source:Google Project Tango
February 21, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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IEEE Spectrum, Mashable, Wall Street Journal write about Google project Tango allowing 3D mapping with a compact IR 3D sensor based on unknown technology. The 3D computer vision processing uses Movidius chip. Google Youtube video shows Project Tango in action: |
| The 3D IR sensor is on the bottom of the phone |
Update: Cnet publishes an interview with Remi El-Ouazzane, Movidius CEO. Few quotes:
"Over multiple iterations, we developed an architecture optimized for computer vision. The architecture favors parallelism, and not frequency. We're running [the Project Tango phone] on hundreds of megahertz, using a mix of hardware and programmable resources. On today's battery, running our processor will divide your battery power by a factor of 10."
How to Measure MTF
February 20, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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Albert Theuwissen continues his "How to Measure..." series of tutorials. The latest one describes the detailed procedure for measuring a Modulation Transfer Function (MTF). This is the first post in MTF series, to be continued.Toshiba Announces 13MP, 1080i240 Sensor for Smartphones
February 20, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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Business Wire: Toshiba announces T4K82, a 13MP, 1.12um BSI pixel CMOS sensor that allows smartphones and tablets to record 1080i video at 240fps, said to be the industry’s highest frame rate.High speed video recording requires a high frame rate with short exposure time, resulting in underexposed images. T4K82 incorporates "Bright Mode" technology that boosts imaged brightness up to four times. The sensor also adopts a newly developed low power circuit design that reduces power consumption to 82% that of T4K37, a 13MP/1.12um sensor in mass production. Although the full resolution mode speed is the same 30fps as its predecessor, the new sensor's video modes are much faster:
Other than interlaced to progressive conversion, the sensor features HDR and Color Noise Reduction (CNR) modes, lens shading correction, and many other functions:
Sample shipments are scheduled to start in March, with mass production to start in Sept 2014 with projected volume 2 million per month.
Sony Announces 4K/60fps Sensor for Security and Industrial
February 19, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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Sony 1/2-inch 12.40MP BSI CMOS sensor, IMX226CQJ, features a new 1.85um pixel with very wide optical acceptance angle, in comparison with the older 2.8um pixel IMX136:
"These characteristics are extremely important for security camera which often opens lens diaphragm during night-time shooting" (see Axis Communications' paper at IISW'2013).
The new sensor is quite fast at 40fps at full resolution or 60fps in 4K mode:
and sensitive (again, compared with 2.8um pixel):
Pelican Imaging CEO Promotes Array Camera
February 19, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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Pelican Imaging CEO Chris Pickett explains array camera advantages in this Youtube video:Microsoft ToF Kinect Presentation at ISSCC
February 19, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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EETimes-Asia & EETimes-Europe give few numbers from Microsoft ToF sensor presentation at ISSCC 2014: "The image sensor is a 512x424 CMOS 3D time-of-flight with multi-frequency demodulation up to 130MHz at 2GSPS ADC. The device is reported to have a depth accuracy of 0.5 per cent at a range of between 0.8m and 4.2m." Microsoft announced that an enhanced sensor for Kinect for Windows will be available in summer 2014.Grand View on Image Sensor Market
February 19, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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Grand View Research publishes "Image Sensors Market Analysis And Segment Forecasts To 2020."Key findings from the report:
- The global market for image sensors is expected to reach USD 12,028.2 million by 2020
- Global image sensor shipments were estimated to be 1,797.9 million units in 2012; they are expected to reach 3,009.2 million units by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2014 to 2020.
- CMOS image sensors dominated the market in 2012, accounting for 83.2% of total shipments.
- Contact image sensors (CIS) segment is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2014 to 2020.
- Digital camera segment, including DSLR, was valued at USD 4,479.3 million in 2012.
- Medical applications are expected to be the fastest growing segment, with an estimated CAGR of 9.2% in terms of shipments from 2014 to 2020.
- Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest and fastest growing regional market during the forecast period. It accounted for 35.9% of the global shipments in 2012 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2014 to 2020.
Low Cost IR Imagers Coming
February 18, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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Lapis Semiconductor (Oki Semi spin-off) comes with a low-cost and low resolution thermopile-based image sensor, the ML8540WD:
Meanwhile, for quite a some time Melexis has been selling its own low-cost IR sensor, the 16 x 4 pixel MLX90620. The sensor features in Youtube video:
MicroMountains Applications AG, Germany publishes a popular review of low-cost 3D and IR sensor technologies. Here is the comparison of thermal IR approaches:
Update: Another view on IR imaging market from Schneider Electric presentation in Leti, June 2013:
