Diagonal 7.59 mm (Type 1/2.3)10.34M-Effective Pixel
High-Speed, High-Sensitivity Back-Illuminated CMOS
Image Sensor for Consumer Digital Still Cameras
IMX050CQK
In June 2008, Sony announced the development of a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor and in January 2009 led the industry
in announcing the first commercial release of a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor for digital video cameras.
Compared to current products, these devices achieve twice the sensitivity
and make it possible to capture high-quality video even in low light.
Sony has now developed the IMX050CQK back-illuminated CMOS image sensor designed for digital still cameras.
By adopting both existing high-speed CMOS image sensor technology and this new sensitivity improving technology,
this new device allows digital still cameras not only to capture high picture quality still images in dark locations
but also to take high-speed video that captures motion that couldn't even be seen.
IMX050CQK
.
.
■ Diagonal 7.59 mm (Type 1/2.3)
10.34M-effective pixels (3720H ×
2780V)
■ Pixel size: 1.65 µm unit pixel
■ Achieves the high-speed performance
of 50 frame/s imaging
with 10.34M pixels
■ Back-illuminated structure that
achieves both higher pixel counts
and higher sensitivity
* "Exmor R" is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
The "Exmor R" is a Sony's CMOS image
sensor with significantly enhanced imaging
characteristics including sensitivity and low
noise by changing fundamental structure of
"Exmor" pixel adopted column-parallel A/D
converter to back-illuminated type.
High-Speed Performance: 10.34M
Pixels at 50 Frame/s
To achieve faster performance, Sony adopted
the column-parallel A/D conversion method
and high-speed process technologies in the
IMX050CQK. By including a low-jitter PLL
circuit using faster transistors and a 576 Mbps
LVDS high-speed output interface, Sony
achieved 50 frame/s in all-pixel scan mode.
Sony also included a new LVDS inter-channel
skew adjustment function (with a step size
of about 50 ps) to implement a high-speed interface connection with the camera system
IC. This function allows the largest possible
setup and hold times to be assured in each
LVDS output channel.
Back-Illuminated Pixels Achieve both Higher Pixel Counts and
Higher Sensitivity
To achieve the higher resolution of 10.34M
effective pixels, the IMX050CQK uses a
1.65 µm unit pixel. When reducing the unit
pixel size, light collecting efficiency and
increasing the saturation signal level become
issues. To resolve these issues, Sony adopted
a back-illuminated structure. This structure
improves the light collecting efficiency.
Sony also optimized the pixel drive to
greatly increase the saturation signal. As a
result, the IMX050CQK achieves imaging
characteristics with a sensitivity of 1262 digits
and a saturation signal level of 2721 digits.
This corresponds to a sensitivity twice that of
current products. (See table 2.)
Readout Modes that Respond to
a Variety of Needs
The IMX050CQK provides a variety of
readout modes to make high-speed imaging
possible so that the critical moment is never
lost, and to overlay multiple images to achieve
low-noise still imaging. It also provides a
readout mode (mode 1) that supports HDTV
video (1440 × 1080) and readout modes
(modes 2 to 5) that support high-speed video at frame rates of 60 frame/s and higher. (See
table 3.)
New Miniature Package Developed to Respond to End Product Needs
The IMX050CQK is provided in a package
with a package area reduced by over 30%
from that of current products to support
further miniaturization in digital still
cameras. This contributes to slim and compact
end product designs. (See figure 1.)
Camera System IC Achieves
Improved Performance
Sony has also developed the CXD4122GG*1
camera system IC that can be used with the
IMX050CQK. Together, these two products
mean that Sony provides the best solution for
high-speed imaging system implementation.
*1 The CXD4122GG is also introduced in the New
Products section in this issue.
•••• Mr.Wakabayashi••••
We developed the IMX050CQK with
the idea of making high-resolution high
picture quality imaging possible. I strongly
recommend that you try out Sony's high-speed
and high-sensitivity technologies
that make not only nighttime, indoor, and
flashless photography possible, but that
also support both HD and high-speed
video.
Diagonal 7.59 mm (Type 1/2.3)10.34M-Effective Pixel
High-Speed, High-Sensitivity Back-Illuminated CMOS
Image Sensor for Consumer Digital Still Cameras
High-Speed Performance: 10.34M
Pixels at 50 Frame/s
Vol.59