New image sensors from Sony
- Author:Ella Cai
- Release on:2017-08-30
Sony is sampling two new image sensors which are the first to employ Sony’s 3rd gen CMOS Global Shutter Mode.
They are designated IMX420 and 428.
The IMX420 has a scalable bit depth of 8, 10, and 12 bits, and can be programmed for multiple regions of interest (ROI).
The IMX428 sensor, optimized for ITS applications, is available only with 12 bit, only one ROI window and achieves 35 fps.
The innovations of the 3rd generation CMOS Global Shutter Mode sensors deliver clear improvements, mainly in terms of image quality and speed.
An increase in performance, based on these improvements, is realized through the improved detection quality in applications with moving objects.
The higher saturation, combined with the low readout noise of about 2.5e-, can achieve a maximum dynamic range of 80 dB, resulting in improved light-dark detection that is feasible even in difficult lighting conditions.
The 3rd gen sensors double the maximum output to 18.4 Gbps compared to the second generation (9.5 Gbps).
Light conditions
The IMX420 sensor has four additional features:
The High Conversion Gain (HCG) allows the acquisition of images with better quality under low light conditions. This is achieved by increasing the conversion gain of the pixels while keeping the noise contribution of the analog circuit constant.
Conversely, the Low Conversion Gain mode (LCG) is used under bright illumination conditions, being realized by lowering the conversion gain of the pixel.
Dual triggering allows the possibility of different exposure times and gains in different regions of interest, to obtain an individual and effective image acquisition pipeline by using of two external trigger signals.
The Dual ADC can read each pixel with separate gains. By combining the two images off-the-sensor a high dynamic range image can be obtained. The self-trigger feature, detects a change in a the predefined “sensing area” and acquires an image automatically when this change passes a certain threshold.
They are designated IMX420 and 428.
The IMX420 has a scalable bit depth of 8, 10, and 12 bits, and can be programmed for multiple regions of interest (ROI).
The IMX428 sensor, optimized for ITS applications, is available only with 12 bit, only one ROI window and achieves 35 fps.
The innovations of the 3rd generation CMOS Global Shutter Mode sensors deliver clear improvements, mainly in terms of image quality and speed.
An increase in performance, based on these improvements, is realized through the improved detection quality in applications with moving objects.
The higher saturation, combined with the low readout noise of about 2.5e-, can achieve a maximum dynamic range of 80 dB, resulting in improved light-dark detection that is feasible even in difficult lighting conditions.
The 3rd gen sensors double the maximum output to 18.4 Gbps compared to the second generation (9.5 Gbps).
Light conditions
The IMX420 sensor has four additional features:
The High Conversion Gain (HCG) allows the acquisition of images with better quality under low light conditions. This is achieved by increasing the conversion gain of the pixels while keeping the noise contribution of the analog circuit constant.
Conversely, the Low Conversion Gain mode (LCG) is used under bright illumination conditions, being realized by lowering the conversion gain of the pixel.
Dual triggering allows the possibility of different exposure times and gains in different regions of interest, to obtain an individual and effective image acquisition pipeline by using of two external trigger signals.
The Dual ADC can read each pixel with separate gains. By combining the two images off-the-sensor a high dynamic range image can be obtained. The self-trigger feature, detects a change in a the predefined “sensing area” and acquires an image automatically when this change passes a certain threshold.