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5M-Pixel CMOS Sensor for Cellular Phones
Achieves High Picture Quality, High Speed, and the Industry's Smallest Pixel Size
IMX020
Along with the recent trend towards higher pixel counts in cellular
phone cameras, these cameras are approaching digital cameras in
their level of functionality.
Sony has now developed the IMX020 5M-pixel CMOS sensor to respond
to these trends.
Sony developed a new 2.0 μm unit pixel, which is now the industry’s
smallest*1, and achieved the same high signal-to-noise ratio as the
IMX018*2, which has been well received by the market.
The IMX020 adopts the column-parallel A/D converter technique*3 and
achieves a high frame rate.
*1: As of spring 2007
*2: See CX-News Volume 46 (November 2006), New Products
*3: See CX-News Volume 47 (February 2007), Featuring |
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IMX020 |
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* Diagonal 6.52 mm (Type 1/2.8) 5.15M
effective pixels
* High picture quality sensor for cellular
phones
* The industry’s smallest 2.0 μm unit
pixel
* 10-bit column A/D converter readout
* High-speed serial interface
* Extensive set of solutions |
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Smaller Pixels and Improved
Picture Quality |
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Due to the strong desires for module miniaturization
in the cameras included in cellular
phones, it is necessary to reduce the
pixel size when increasing the pixel count.
Last year, Sony developed the 2.5 μm unit
pixel 3M-pixel IMX018. The IMX018 was
included in a GSM terminal and was
praised for its picture quality.
Sony developed a 2.0 μm unit pixel to
achieve 5M pixels in the IMX020 with the
same optical system as the IMX018. Despite
a pixel area reduce by 64% from that
of the IMX018, Sony introduced a new
condenser structure that increases the condensing
efficiency even further as well as
a new wafer process that can suppress
noise generated in the pixels to an absolute
minimum. The IMX020 thus achieves
a high signal-to-noise ratio equivalent to
that of the IMX018 even in low light. (See
photograph 1.)
By providing the IMX020 with an addition
function (2 × 2) in low-resolution output
mode, Sony made the IMX020 capable
of providing even brighter images. (See
figure 1.) |
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Faster Operation |
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The IMX020 adopts Sony’s unique column-parallel A/D conversion technique
that is optimal for increasing operating
speeds. Sony also introduced their unique
two-channel data strobe type sub-LVDS
serial interface, which allows applications
to read out the 10 bits per pixel output at
864 Mbps (a pixel rate of 86.4 MHz). Despite
the large number of pixels, 5M pixels,
this allows the IMX020 top operate at
15 frame/s in progressive scan mode and
to achieve the high speed of 120 frame/s
in 1/8 decimation mode, which is equivalent
to QVGA output mode. (See table 3.) |
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Extensive Set of Solutions |
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To respond to our customer’s diverse
needs, Sony provides solutions in a variety
of forms as IMX020-related products.
• Independent sensor
• IU020 series (lens modules): sensor +
optical system
• MCB990 series (camera modules): sensor
+ camera DSP + optical system
These lens and camera modules use a lens
optimized for the IMX020 and achieve
miniaturization, high resolution, and low
shading. |
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•••• Mr. KASAI••••
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The IMX020 adopts several technologies
that are making their
appearance for the first time in a
Sony cellular phone sensor,
including a 2.0 μm unit pixel, column
A/D readout, and a high-speed
serial interface. The IMX020
achieves a high signal-to-noise
ratio comparable to that of 2.5 μm
unit cell sensors and the high-speed
operation of 15 frame/s in
5M-pixel progressive scan mode.
The attractiveness of portable
equipment lies, I think, in the fact
that it is always at hand. I hope
you will enjoy being able to take
high picture quality images conveniently
at any place and at any
time. |
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See
all articles with figures and tables.  |
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Vol.48 |
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