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Compact, Low Profile Lens Modules
for 8M and 12M-Pixel 1.4 μm Unit Pixel
Cellular Phone Cameras
IU046F/IU060F
Along with the recent trend towards higher pixel counts in the cameras included in cellular phones,
with the inclusion of video imaging and autofocus functions, these products are also approaching
compact digital still cameras in functionality.
Sony has now developed two compact, low profile lens modules, the IU046F and IU060F, which
include Sony's latest 1.4 μm unit pixel CMOS sensors.
Sony has optimized the lens used to achieve high resolution imaging while holding the module
height to a minimum. |
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IU046F/IU060F |
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■ Newly-developed lenses achieve high resolution
■ Low-power autofocus piezo*1 actuator
adopted
■ Individual difference information
stored in built-in EEPROM
■ Wide angle lens (28 mm equivalent)
(IU060F)
*1 Electronic devices that have the property that
they expand or contract when an electrical
potential is applied.
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 Miniature Package Lens Module |
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Ihe IU046F and IU060F are lens modules
with 1.4 μm unit pixel CMOS sensors and
actuators for autofocus operation. They
feature a newly-developed high-resolution 4-
element/4-group plastic lens. These modules
achieve a roughly 47% (IU046F) or 28%
(IU060F) volume reduction compared to the
existing IU043F. In working to miniaturize
these modules, Sony not only optimized the
optical design of the lens, but also strove for
even thinner form factors in the material units
that make up the module. As a result, these
modules achieve the industry's smallest size
and lowest profile.
The IU046F and IU060F adopt a low-power piezo actuator for autofocus drive. Since it
is necessary to continually apply autofocus
during video imaging, this low-power piezo
actuator can reduce end product power
consumption. Furthermore, since they include
a driver IC to control this piezo actuator, these
modules can contribute to reduced parts
counts in end products and increasing design
flexibility for cellular phones in which stylish
design is an important consideration. (See
figure 1.)
Furthermore, the IU046F and IU060F include
a built-in, large-capacity EEPROM as part
of the lens module. This EEPROM makes it
possible to acquire consistent picture quality
by storing individual difference information,
such as sensor R/G and B/G sensitivity ratios
and lens actuator speed data, in this EEPROM
at end product assembly time. |
| High-Speed Interface Support |
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To allow the IU046F and IU060F to support
high-speed interfaces with bit rates of 650
Mbps or higher, Sony optimized the wiring
impedances and the values of the capacitors
used in the module to achieve stable sensor
operation and low noise. The IU046F can read
out all 8M pixels at 15 frame/s and the IU060F
can read out all 12M pixels at 10 frame/s.
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Wide Angle Lens
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The IU060F responds to the market needs to be able to take photographs at wide angles
and at close distances by adopting a wide
angle lens. In designing this lens, Sony
optimized the position of the aperture and
despite reducing the module height to be 0.2
mm lower than that of the existing wide-angle
lens product (IU043F), achieved the same
equivalent focal length of 28 mm (35 mm film
equivalent). |
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•••• Mr.Nishihara and Mr.Nabe••••
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Although performance and size are
usually conflicting goals, by both
individual optimizations at the component
level and overall optimizations at the
module level, we were able to take full
advantage of the sensors included in
these modules. We hope that as many
people as possible will be able to try
these products, which can conveniently
capture cherished scenes. We strongly
recommend that you look into these
modules. |
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See
all articles with figures and tables.  |
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Vol.56 |
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