Release of single chip CMOS image sensor technology and the day before

Agilent Technologies Inc. before launch a (EP, Enhanced-Performance) with the enhanced type pixel structure of 1 million 300 thousand pixel single chip CMOS image sensor, it can make the mobile phone and computer device can make color image clearer and more vivid in any lighting environment. This new type of image sensor mainly for high definition megapixel mobile phone, computer, monitoring system and industrial applications, not only the noise can be reduced by ten times, but also further narrowed the gap between the CMOS and CCD image quality.

The sensor system using JPEG image processing and compression technology on chip, without the use of auxiliary space occupied chip and large power consumption, and reduces the design complexity, accelerate the cycle of products on the market. EP type pixel structure Agilent exclusive development of the use of a number of innovative design, such as 3D pixel field dressing technology, can effectively solve the three major challenges in all CMOS image sensor must face: one is to reduce the noise in low light environment; the two is to maintain the stability of the color effect, in order to improve the clarity and color accuracy; the three is to reduce the difference of the manufacturing process, in order to enhance the stability of pixels.

EP pixel structure makes the photodiode photodiode) has played a huge role in the 3.3 micron pixel dynamic design highly symmetric: it will be dark current and surface noise is reduced by ten times, showing a more rich color image more bright; in addition, it also reduces crosstalk, provide a high sensitive blue and the true correlation of two sampling; at the same time, it also includes the patent pending technology innovation, can greatly improve the image lag, can achieve the best effect even in low light and video applications.

Agilent semiconductor products division China and general manager of Hongkong, Mr. Li Ting said: "the high quality data acquisition sensor in light and plays an important role, at least up to signal noise and most clearly in the original data for image processor. The newly developed EP pixel structure provides the industry's best data capture capabilities. It has excellent performance in the dark, can present a very clear and bright and strong color contrast color image in any light condition. In 1 million 300 thousand pixel conditions, color reproduction, dark performance and image clarity are the most in the industry. We will further develop a higher resolution enhanced pixel structure, so that the image to achieve the effect of digital cameras."

TSMC technology marketing director Mr. Chen Chaogan said: "we and Agilent Technologies in the field of 0.18 micron CMOS image sensor is carried out in close cooperation, and has achieved stable and high quality production process. We look forward to the future of this enhanced (EP) pixel structure of the manufacturing technology used in Agilent technology more megapixels image system chip."

Agilent ADCC-3960 EP allegedly is the most advanced in the industry and has a 1 million 300 thousand pixel 1/3 format optical system on chip. It integrates an enhanced image processor, a seventh generation JPEG compression engine and a CMOS image sensor. The sensor can capture 15 frames per second at the highest SXGA resolution, and can capture up to 30 frames per second in VGA mode. It has a pixel size of 3.3 square meters and a resolution of 1280 (H) x 1024 (V). In addition, ADCC-3960 EP also uses a 10 bit A/D converter, providing the following image processing functions:

To achieve "blue people", black and white, dark brown, negative feelings, such as more than 20 kinds of special effects;

Adjustable compression technology, ensuring the highest quality JPEG compression without missing any frame;

Advanced exposure control technology, and provides the image more bright flicker;

Automatic correction of pixel technology strengthening, better than the traditional correction method of error pixels 5 times the effect is excellent;

Color image processing technology, better than the automatic white balance effect;

Synchronous filtering technology and programmable double LED xenon flash lamp;

Adjustable color noise suppression function;

4 times digital zoom optical zoom, simulation;

Eliminate false light function, can be automatically corrected lens shading;

Image clarity and adjustable tone mapping function;

Automatic correction of flicker phenomenon.

Agilent plans to launch with the enhanced 2 million pixel CMOS image sensor pixel structure of the sample at the beginning of 2006.