ICX498B Series |
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* Diagonal 7.18 mm
(Type 1/2.5)
Provides 4.11M effective pixels (2344H x 1752V)
* Smear output: -95 dB
* High saturation signal: 460 mV
* Supports VGA moving picture mode
* New miniature package: SON |
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The ICX498BQA, ICX498BQF,
and ICX498NQV (the ICX498B Series) are diagonal
7.18 mm (Type 1/2.5) 4.11M-effective pixel CCD
image sensors for high-resolution consumer digital
still cameras. The ICX498B Series was developed
specifically for reduced smear. Table 1 lists
the ICX498B Series device structure and table
2 lists the imaging characteristics. |
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Low Smear
Characteristics |
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Smear is a phenomenon
that occurs when an extremely strong light source,
such as the sun or a car headlight, appears
in the image. Smear appears as lines of noise
emanating vertically from the light source.
Smear is a phenomenon characteristic of CCDs
and occurs due to the signal charge transport.
For still picture imaging, smear can be reduced
by using a mechanical shutter or special drive
methods, but these techniques cannot be used
during moving picture imaging. Thus it is desirable
in current video CCDs to improve the smear characteristics
of the device itself. Sony has always worked
to develop CCDs that can create natural noise-free
images similar to what the human eye sees even
in VGA moving picture imaging. As part of that
ongoing effort, Sony has now, by taking full
advantage of Sony's unique fine fabrication
technologies, succeeded in reducing smear by
-9 dB (about 1/3.2) over earlier Sony products,
achieving smear levels of -95 dB in still picture
mode and -92 dB in VGA moving picture mode.
(See photograph 1.) |
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High Saturation
Signal |
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To
increase the dynamic range in the ICX498B Series,
Sony has adopted the same 3-field readout method
used in the ICX432 Series. This allows finer
feature sizes to be used in the vertical transfer
block, thus allowing the photodiode area to
be enlarged. In conjunction with other improvements,
this allows the ICX498B Series to achieve a
saturation signal of 460 mV. |
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New Thin-Form
Package: SON |
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In addition to the
conventional DIP and SOP packages, Sony also
provides this sensor in the newly-developed
SON thin-form package. (See figure 1.) This
allows end products to be made even thinner.
Users can select a package that matches their
needs from the extensive set of package options
in the ICX498B Series. |
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Timing Generator
IC |
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Sony also provides
the CXD3631GA timing generator IC that includes
built-in horizontal and vertical drivers for
the ICX498B Series devices. In addition to a
VGA equivalent moving picture mode, this IC
series also supports a high frame rate readout
mode and an AF mode as well. |
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•••• Mr.TORII ••••
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The ICX498B Series,
which features a high saturation signal and
low smear, has arrived. It supports a wide range
of moving picture modes, including VGA mode,
and can contribute to achieving fully satisfactory
images in the rapidly growing digital still
camera market. |
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See
all articles with figures and tables.  |
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Vol.37 |
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