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 High-Resolution Diagonal 9.102 mm (Type 1/1.8) 8.13M-Effective Pixel
Digital Still Camera CCD for Consumer Products
ICX476 Series [ICX476AQF/CQV/CQZ]
Further miniaturization and increased pixel counts are strongly desired in the
digital still camera market. To respond to these needs, Sony is now releasing
the ICX476AQF/CQV/CQZ diagonal 9.102 mm (Type 1/1.8) 8.13M-effective pixel
interline CCDs that are optimal for high-end compact digital still cameras.
Not only was Sony able to achieve both miniaturization and an increased pixel
count with a 2.22 µm unit pixel using Sony’s unique fine fabrication technology,
but Sony also achieved excellent basic characteristics in these devices.
These new products also include a “horizontal and vertical pixel addition function”
that makes it possible for them to achieve 30 frame/s VGA resolution moving
picture imaging in addition to 8.13M-effective pixel still imaging. |
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ICX476 Series
[ICX476AQF/CQV/CQZ] |
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* Diagonal 9.102 mm (Type 1/1.8)
8.13M effective pixels
(3288H × 2472V)
* Pixel size: 2.22 µm unit pixel
* 5-field readout
* Supports 30 frame/s VGA moving
picture imaging |
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The ICX476AQF/CQV/CQZ (the ICX476
Series) devices are diagonal 9.102 mm
(Type 1/1.8) 8.13M-effective pixel CCD
image sensors developed for high-resolution
consumer digital still cameras. These
devices, with the use of a mechanical shutter,
make it possible to acquire high-resolution
still images. Since the ICX476
Series is positioned as a higher pixel count
version of the earlier Sony ICX489AQF
(diagonal 9.107 mm (Type 1/1.8) 7.24M
effective pixels) product, it allows an
8M-pixel digital still camera to be implemented
based on an earlier ICX489AQF
camera without changing the optical system.
Table 1 lists the device structure and
table 2 lists the imaging characteristics. |
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Resolution for 300 dpi A4 Prints |
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To respond to the digital still camera market
needs for miniaturization and higher
pixel counts, Sony targeted an approximately
300 dpi output at the A4 size (8.25
× 11.5 inches) with compact digital still
cameras in designing the ICX476 Series,
and is now releasing these Type 1/1.8
8.13M-effective pixel CCDs that feature
a 2.22 µm unit pixel size. |
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Excellent Basic Imaging
Characteristics |
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One issue for CCD developers is the
increased interconnect load associated
with higher pixel counts. Although the
transmission delay associated with the
increased load can be suppressed by
making the cross sectional area of the interconnects
larger, this can compromise
sensitivity, smear, and saturation signal
characteristics due to the reduced area of
the photodiodes and degraded collimation
by the microlenses.
To resolve this issue, Sony developed a
unique interconnect manufacturing technology
and held the interconnect load to
about the same levels as in earlier Sony
CCDs, despite these devices being
8M-pixel sensors. Along with this new interconnect
technology, Sony also increased
the photodiode area and moved the
microlenses to a lower layer. This not only
reduced the size of the pixels, it also
achieved high sensitivity characteristics
(170 mV), low smear characteristics (-86dB at F5.6 in frame readout mode), and a high dynamic range (420 mV (Min.) in
frame readout mode). (See table 2.) |
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Extensive Set of Readout
Modes |
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The ICX476 Series devices provide an
extensive set of readout modes based on a
“horizontal and vertical pixel addition
function”. These devices provide a frame
readout mode appropriate for acquiring
high-resolution images, a 4/10-line readout
mode that can acquire VGA images at
30 frame/s, as well as AF and 4/20-line
readout modes that focus on processing
speed. |
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Minimizing Power
Consumption |
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By also applying unique Sony interconnect
manufacturing technology to the horizontal
register electrodes, Sony was able
to reduce the inter-electrode capacitance
by 30% as compared to the ICX489AQF
and thus suppress the increase in power
consumption associated with the increased
drive frequency. |
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•••• Mr. OTSUBO ••••
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Although we did encounter a few
difficulties during the development
of these devices, we were
able to create products that all of
us on the development team can
recommend with confidence. I
strongly recommend that you look
into these devices to create high
picture quality digital still camera
products. |
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See
all articles with figures and tables.  |
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Vol.42 |
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