ICX495AQN |
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* Diagonal 7.17 mm (Type 1/2.5)
5.13M effective pixels (2616H ×
1960V)
* Pixel size: 2.2 µm unit pixel
* 4-field readout method
* Supports 30 frames/s VGA moving
picture imaging |
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The ICX495AQN is a diagonal 7.17 mm
(Type 1/2.5) 5.13M-effective pixel CCD
image sensor designed for high-resolution
consumer digital still cameras. When combined
with a mechanical shutter, it can
capture high-resolution images. Table 1
lists the device structure and table 2 lists
its imaging characteristics. |
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Pixel Size |
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Due to the continuing demands for even
higher pixel counts from the digital still
camera market, the market mainstream is moving from the 4M-pixel class sensor to
the 5M-pixel class sensor.
To expand the
Sony lineup of 5M-pixel class sensors,
Sony has developed a 2.2 µm unit pixel
and released a new 5.13M-effective pixel
CCD in the Type 1/2.5 size, the main sensor
size for compact digital still cameras. |
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Excellent Basic Characteristics |
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Since basic characteristics cannot be assured
if the pixel size is simply reduced,
in developing the 2.2 µm unit pixel Sony
had to develop fundamentally new
process technologies. In particular, Sony
designed this new sensor with the idea of
achieving even better basic characteristics
than conventional sensors. The result of
these efforts in the sensor structure, the
area that most directly affects sensor performance,
was success in reducing the
vertical register area and greatly increasing
the photodiode area.
By combining these new technologies
with a 4-field readout method, Sony succeeded
in increasing the saturation signal
per unit area by 24% and achieved the high
dynamic range of 420 mV (minimum) in
frame readout mode.
Sony also achieved the high sensitivity of
150 mV and the low smear of -86 dB (at
F5.6 in frame readout mode) despite the
small 2.2 µm pixel size by lowering the on-chip microlenses in conjunction with
increasing the photodiode area. This resulted
in a 5M-pixel class CCD in the easy-to-use Type 1/2.5 size. |
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Readout Modes |
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The ICX495AQN includes Sony’s unique
horizontal and vertical pixel addition function
and implements an extensive set of
readout modes by using a variety of pixel
addition methods.
In particular, it supports
a “frame readout mode” that reads out all
the pixel signals independently and is appropriate
for high-resolution image acquisition
as well as a “4/8-line readout mode”
(with horizontal addition) that can acquire
a 30 frames/s VGA resolution moving picture
signal. It also supports a “4/16-line
readout mode” and an “AF mode”. |
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Timing Generator IC |
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Sony also provides the CXD3633GA drive
timing generation IC with built-in horizontal
and vertical drivers for use with the
ICX495AQN. In addition to a VGA
equivalent moving picture mode, this IC
also supports a high frame rate readout
mode and an AF mode. |
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•••• Mr.NUMAGUCHI••••
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To support market demands for
further miniaturization and even
higher pixel counts we developed
a 2.2 µm unit pixel and have now
released a diagonal 7.17 mm (Type
1/2.5) 5.13M-pixel CCD using that
unit pixel. We had to develop and
adopt several new technologies to
acquire imaging characteristics in
the tiny 2.2 µm cell size that are
as good as or better than those in
earlier products.
I recommend that
you look into this product as a
means of responding to digital still
camera market needs. |
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See
all articles with figures and tables.  |
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Vol.39 |
