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High Picture Quality Cellular Phone CMOS
Image Sensors Feature Full HD Video
IMX072PQ
/ IMX073PQ / IMX074PQ
Due to the recent improvements in the communication infrastructure and falling prices for data storage, it is now possible
for ordinary users to handle large amounts of data on cellular phones. Due to these developments, there are now increasing
demands for imaging performance that exceeds the framework of existing cellular phone camera functionality, including
demands for even higher picture quality and even higher resolution in both still and moving images.
Sony has now developed their product line 5M-pixel, 8M-pixel, and 13M-pixel CMOS image sensors with a 1.4 µm unit pixel,
the industry's smallest*1, and that provide full HD video imaging (1080p at 30 frame/s).
Due to improvements in process technology and the development of a new condensing structure, Sony can now provide diverse
solutions that achieve a S/N ratio even higher than current Sony products.
*1 As of October, 2009 (based on Sony's research) |
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IMX072PQ
/ IMX073PQ /
IMX074PQ |
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IMX072PQ
■ Diagonal 4.5 mm (Type 1/4)
5.15M effective pixels
■ Frame rate: 22.5 frame/s
IMX073PQ
■ Diagonal 5.76 mm (Type 1/3.2)
8.12M effective pixels
■ Frame rate: 15 frame/s
IMX074PQ
■ Diagonal 7.35 mm (Type 1/2.45)
13.19M effective pixels
■ Frame rate: 15 frame/s
*: "Exmor" is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
"Exmor" is a version of Sony's high performance
CMOS image sensor with high-speed
processing, low noise and low power dissipation
by using column-parallel A/D conversion.
There are increasing market requirements
for even smaller and thinner built-in cameras
to increase design f lexibility in cellular
phones.
To respond to these market needs, Sony is
now the first in the industry to succeed in
the mass production of CMOS image sensors
with the industry's smallest 1.4 µm unit pixel.
Sony has also succeeded in achieving highly
respected imaging characteristics in these
devices.
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 High S/N Ratio and Good
Picture Quality Achieved |
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In creating the IMX072PQ, IMX073PQ, and
IMX074PQ products of this release, we added
further improvements to Sony's 1.4 µm unit
pixel fabrication process and succeeded in
increasing the number of electrons collected
in the photodetector (the saturation signal
level) by a factor of 1.6. As a result, we
succeeded in improving the S/N ratio by
4.1 dB from the current IMX046PQ*2, even
though that device has the same 1.4 µm unit
pixel size. Furthermore, we developed a new
condensing structure, which leads light to the
ultrafine pixels, and increased the sensitivity
by 17% over current products. Additionally,
we also addressed the shading issue, which
refers to lack of uniformity across the image,
and achieved significant improvements. (See
figure 1.) As a result of these improvements,
despite their small size the image graininess
problem has been resolved and these sensors
allow the capture of even higher quality
images. (See photograph 1.)
*2 See the New Products section: IMX045PQ/
IMX046PQ/IMX060PQ in CX-News Vol. 56. |
| Developing a 13M-Pixel Sensor |
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Sony provides the IMX074PQ, which features
13.19M effective pixels, to respond to end
user needs to take more detailed images and
to capture even clearer videos. By providing
4 lanes of MIPI interface, a high-speed serial
interface for cellular phones, the IMX074PQ
is capable of outputting data at up to 2.16
Gbps, which corresponds to all-pixel data
output at 15 frame/s. (See table 1.) For video
imaging, the IMX074PQ is capable of 1080p output at 30 frame/s and 720p output at 60
frame/s. Furthermore, even during 1080p
video imaging, the IMX074PQ can produce
full HD video with minimal camera shake by
setting the margin pixel area and using the
image stabilization function provided by the
image processor. |
Compatibility with Current Products
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The IMX072PQ and IMX073PQ provide close
compatibility with current Sony products
IMX045PQ and IMX046PQ and, in modules
that use the current products, end products
can operate simply by switching the CMOS
image sensor. This allows our customers
to reuse many of their design assets while
improving the camera performance of their
cellular phones at minimal cost.
Furthermore, since these new products, like
the current products, support 720p and 1080p
(at 30 frame/s) high-definition video imaging,
they can respond to a wide range of customer
needs. (See table 1.) |
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•••• Mr.Suzuki , Mr.Okumura and Mr.Mamezaki••••
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We created these products by not limiting
ourselves to design and process concerns
only, but by also sharing our knowledge
and experience with the production process
members. We considered idea after idea
to create products with even higher picture
quality and reliability. Since these devices
are incredibly miniaturized despite their
high functionality, they can be included in
a wide range of cellular phones and can
capture, with high resolution and superb
picture quality, whatever scene or event
moves the user's heart. We strongly
recommend that you look into using these
devices in your products. |
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See
all articles with figures and tables.  |
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Vol.59 |
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