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. . Diagonal 7.791 mm (Type 1/2.3) 12.19M-Effective Pixel High-Resolution Consumer Digital Still Camera CCDs Support 720p Moving Picture Imaging ICX667/ICX677 Series In addition to the existing needs for even higher resolution in the consumer compact digital still camera market, there are now increasing needs for improved high ISO sensitivity and wider dynamic range. Sony has now developed unique new fine pixel technologies and, while increasing the pixel count using the industry's smallest unit pixel (1.55 μm pitch), has improved the pixel characteristics and moving image performance. That is, Sony has overcome conflicting technological issues to develop the CX667/ICX677 series CCD products. These devices achieve high-definition television (720p) imaging while maintaining image quality.

ICX667/ICX677 Series . . ■ Diagonal 7.791 mm (Type 1/2.3) 12.19M effective pixels ■ Pixel size: 1.55 μm unit pixel ■ Six-field readout ■ Horizontal divided into thirds output ■ Horizontal 3-phase drive (ICX677 Series: horizontal 2-phase drive)     The Industry's Smallest Pixel Size Achieved By taking advantage of their unique fine pixel fabrication technologies, Sony has succeeded in developing the ICX667/ICX677 series of diagonal 7.791 mm (Type 1/2.3) 12.19M-effective pixel CCDs. In creating even finer pixels than the existing 1.68 μm unit pixel, Sony maximized the photodiode area and significantly improved device performance without incurring tradeoffs between sensitivity characteristics, saturation signal (dynamic range), and smear characteristics. As a result, these new products achieve equal or better basic characteristics than the current ICX665/ICX675 diagonal 7.705 mm (Type 1/2.3) 10.17M-effective pixel CCDs. The Industry's Highest Level of Characteristics Achieved The ICX667/ICX677 series adopts a new optical condensing structure to increase the condensing efficiency per unit area by 14% over current structures. (See figure 1.) As a result, despite the unit pixel size being reduced by 15% from the current Sony ICX665/ICX675 series products, these new devices achieve the industry's highest G sensitivity of 180 mV. (See table 2.) Furthermore, the vertical register smear component admixture has been improved by 7 dB to achieve a smear level of -86.5 dB in frame readout mode. (See figure 1 and table 2.) HDTV Moving Picture Imaging Achieved The ICX667/ICX677 series adopts a new electrode structure to reduce the pixel internal wiring resistance as much as possible to resolve the problem of vertical clock pulse transmission delay. (See figure 2.) This makes high-speed charge transfers possible, and in addition to the 4/12-line readout mode, which is the current VGA 30 frame/s moving picture imaging mode, these new devices also include a 4/6-line readout 720-line output mode that can acquire 720p 30 frame/s video from a single channel output at a 38 MHz drive frequency. (See table 2.)     •••• Mr. Suidu •••• Through a continuous process of trial and error, the project members worked together to evolve Sony's fine pixel fabrication technologies even further. We also adopted a new electrode structure to make HDTV imaging possible. I strongly recommend that you look into using the ICX667/ICX677 series devices to respond to market needs in the consumer digital still camera area. See all articles with figures and tables. Vol.56

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