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3M-Pixel and 2M-Pixel CMOS Sensors for Cellular Phones
IMX018, IMX019
The trend towards higher pixel counts in cellular phone cameras
continues to advance. In addition, there are increasing demands for
improved picture quality and the inclusion of functions, such as
camera shake correction or reduction, that are provided by current
digital still cameras. To respond to the needs for higher pixel counts,
Sony has developed and is now releasing the IMX018 3M-pixel CMOS
sensor and the IMX019 2M-pixel CMOS sensor.
The IMX018 and IMX019 adopt a newly-developed 2.5 µm unit pixel
and further improve the high picture quality process technologies
and peripheral circuit architecture used in Sony’s earlier IMX011CQ
2M-pixel CMOS sensor, which has been well received by the market.
Thus these new devices achieve even higher resolution and the
industry’s highest level of picture quality. |
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IMX018, IMX019 |
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* IMX018: Diagonal 6.47 mm (Type 1/2.8)
3.22M effective pixels
* IMX019: Diagonal 5.16 mm (Type 1/3.5)
2.07M effective pixels
* High picture quality CMOS sensors for
cellular phones
* Built-in 10-bit A/D converters
* Extensive set of solutions |
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Achieving Higher Pixel
Counts and High Picture
Quality at the Same Time |
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At the same time as the calls for higher
pixel counts and improved picture quality
in cellular phone cameras, there are also
strong desires for even further miniaturization
in the camera modules. Thus reducing
the pixel size is required at the
same time as increasing the pixel count.
However, simply making the pixels
smaller would significantly degrade the
basic characteristics of the pixels. We developed a new 2.5 µm unit pixel for
the IMX018 and IMX019. Although the
area of a single pixel has been reduced to
about 73% of that of the earlier
IMX011CQ, in the pixel layout structure
developed for these devices, we succeeded
in increasing both the sensor aperture area
and the ratio of the photodiode area. As a
result, we were able to assure the maintenance
of the basic pixel characteristics,
such as the sensitivity and the saturation
signal level. It is not, however, possible
to completely eliminate the loss in sensitivity
due to the reduction in the pixel area.
Furthermore, we reduced both the random
noise and the fixed pattern noise that appear
in images by improvements to the
pixel process technologies and peripheral
circuit technologies. By thus increasing
the overall signal-to-noise ratio characteristics,
we achieved high picture quality in
these devices.
Tables 1 and 2 present the device structure
and the imaging characteristics of the
IMX018 and IMX019 CMOS sensors. |
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Reducing the Chip Size |
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The IMX018 and IMX019 inherit the
proven column QV amplifier architecture
used in the IMX011CQ.
Based on our accumulated know-how, in
the design phase we both improved the
characteristics of the peripheral circuits
and achieved an even smaller chip size
through a compact layout design. As a
result, even though the IMX018 has an
optical size larger than that of the
IMX011CQ, it has a smaller overall chip
size. (See figure 1.) |
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Extensive Set of Solutions |
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To respond to our customer’s diverse
needs, we provide these products in the
following forms.
IMX018:
• Independent sensor
• IU018 series (lens module*1)
• MCB880 series (camera module*2)
IMX019:
• Independent sensor
• IU019 series (lens module*1)
These lens and camera modules allow the
sensors to be used under optimal optical
conditions.
*1: Sensor + optical system
*2: Sensor + camera DSP + optical system |
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•••• Mr. YOKOTA ••••
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The main difficulty in designing
the CMOS sensors used in cellular
phones lies in achieving good
picture quality while reducing the
pixel size.
I strongly recommend that you try
the Sony IMX018 and IMX019; they
will completely overturn everything
you thought you knew about
cellular phone cameras.
Sony is committed to maintaining
its lead in CMOS sensor picture
quality. |
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See
all articles with figures and tables.  |
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Vol.46 |
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Sony Corporation Global Headquarters
