Forbes explains how Rambus binary pixel works:
"In the 30th of a second it takes to snap a smartphone camera, light photons bathe its image sensor and fill the millions of pixels like tiny buckets of water. Current image sensors don’t measure the rate of photons pouring into each bucket, so a lot of them overflow and you lose detail in areas of bright light and dark shadow. The Rambus sensor checks each bucket as quickly as every two milliseconds and clears those that have tripped their threshold, allowing the sensor to keep on collecting an order of magnitude more in new light and color information–especially helpful when it’s time to process or edit the digital image. “Anything you measure, you can change,” says Jay Endsley, co-inventor of the technology."
Michael Ching, the head of Rambus’ imaging division, agrees: "The hardest part of the sale is it’s a new technology, and one that needs to be brought to market."
Friday, May 24, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Omnivision Predicted to Capture Smartphone Market in China
Benzinga: Oppenheimer analyst Martin Yang claims in a report: "Our checks indicate the mid-end to high-end smart phone market, particularly in China, is seeing faster growth than we had originally modeled. ...For the near/medium term we believe OVTI is best positioned to capture the majority of rear camera slots in emerging markets such as China. OVTI offers superior performance for value and has not yet met much competition in the 5M and 8M category from emerging low-cost competitors."
Gigapixel Camera-as-a-Service Project
Imaging Resource: Duke University Gigapixel camera project tries to raise funds for Camera-as-a-Service project. The business idea behind the new company called Aqueti is to bring the bulky AWARE-2 camera to various events and make Gigapixel images available to everybody for a fee. The image resolution is said to be much better than smartphone panoramas:
and better than DSLRs:
The Duke University camera is based on an array of Aptina's 14MP 1.4um pixel sensors:
So far, the Kickstarter fundraising campaign brought $400 out of $25,000 target:
and better than DSLRs:
The Duke University camera is based on an array of Aptina's 14MP 1.4um pixel sensors:
So far, the Kickstarter fundraising campaign brought $400 out of $25,000 target:
More Kinect-2 Demos
CNET recorded Microsoft's presentation of the new Kinect abilities:
Here is another session of the presentation, quite similar in content:
IGN review video shows few close-ups of the depth map revealing the detail level:
Update 1: Engadget interviews Microsoft CVP Ilan Spillinger, responsible for Xbox hardware design, Kinect section starts from time 3:48:
Update 2: The Next Web video shows another short demo of Kinect capabilities:
Here is another session of the presentation, quite similar in content:
IGN review video shows few close-ups of the depth map revealing the detail level:
Update 1: Engadget interviews Microsoft CVP Ilan Spillinger, responsible for Xbox hardware design, Kinect section starts from time 3:48:
Update 2: The Next Web video shows another short demo of Kinect capabilities:
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
UMC Establishes Singapore Center of Excellence to Develop BSI Technology
Business Wire: UMC announces that the company has established Fab 12i in Singapore as its "Center of Excellence" for advanced specialty process technologies. The Center of Excellence was set up with an initial investment of US$110 million, and will undertake R&D collaborations with local research institutes such as Singapore's Institute of Microelectronics. Technologies being developed include CMOS image sensor backside illumination and TSV connections. Such specialty processes will enable new products with stronger capabilities in growing markets such as automotive, mobile, smartphone and tablet. In 2013, UMC plans to increase headcount of Fab 12i by over 80 engineers to focus on specialty process development.
UMC's Fab 12i is UMC's only 300mm fab outside of Taiwan. The current capacity is nearly 45,000 wafers per month, accounting for 45% of UMC's total 12" output. Recent achievements in specialty technologies at Fab 12i include the successful development of backside illuminated CMOS image sensors. Total cumulative investment for Fab 12i is nearly US$3.6 billion to date. The fab currently employs nearly 1,600 people.
UMC's Fab 12i is UMC's only 300mm fab outside of Taiwan. The current capacity is nearly 45,000 wafers per month, accounting for 45% of UMC's total 12" output. Recent achievements in specialty technologies at Fab 12i include the successful development of backside illuminated CMOS image sensors. Total cumulative investment for Fab 12i is nearly US$3.6 billion to date. The fab currently employs nearly 1,600 people.
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| UMC Fab 12i |
Sony Corporate Strategy for 2013
Business Wire: Sony defines its corporate strategy for 2013 for imaging business:
"Placing image sensors, a particularly strong category for Sony, at its core, Sony is concentrating the focus of its imaging businesses on creating value-added products, while aggressively exploring new applications for its imaging technologies in both the consumer and professional markets. In terms of image sensors, the Company will continue to commercialize new sensor technologies capable of differentiating finished products, for use in a range of consumer and professional applications. The Company also plans to engage in aggressive capital investment in order to meet the robust demand for these components. At the same time, Sony is also developing technologies that further expand the range of sensor applications, including sensors capable of sensing beyond the visible light spectrum, and sensors capable of detecting and categorizing different types of information. For the professional market, Sony will continue to reinforce its professional camera lineup centering on 4K-compatible cameras, as well as cameras for cinematography. The Company will also target further business growth by extending the scope of its digital imaging technologies to new business areas such as security, sports and medical, and will reallocate resources accordingly. In the consumer market, where business conditions continue to shift rapidly, Sony aims to expand sales of value-added compact digital still cameras by introducing models that leverage Sony’s image sensor technologies to further enhance image quality, and also incorporate feature enhancements such as reduced size and weight, and higher-powered zoom. Sony will also seek to firmly maintain its number one global market share in the growing mirrorless lens camera category. Through these measures, Sony will target sales of 1.3 trillion yen and an operating profit margin of more than 10% across the image sensor, professional, and consumer categories by FY14."
Later in the text the FY2014 targets for imaging business are defined as "sales of 1.5 trillion yen and double-digit operating income margin." (probably 1.5 is a typo, all other materials talk about 1.3 trillion.)
Sony corporate presentation shows this in PPT bullets form:
"Placing image sensors, a particularly strong category for Sony, at its core, Sony is concentrating the focus of its imaging businesses on creating value-added products, while aggressively exploring new applications for its imaging technologies in both the consumer and professional markets. In terms of image sensors, the Company will continue to commercialize new sensor technologies capable of differentiating finished products, for use in a range of consumer and professional applications. The Company also plans to engage in aggressive capital investment in order to meet the robust demand for these components. At the same time, Sony is also developing technologies that further expand the range of sensor applications, including sensors capable of sensing beyond the visible light spectrum, and sensors capable of detecting and categorizing different types of information. For the professional market, Sony will continue to reinforce its professional camera lineup centering on 4K-compatible cameras, as well as cameras for cinematography. The Company will also target further business growth by extending the scope of its digital imaging technologies to new business areas such as security, sports and medical, and will reallocate resources accordingly. In the consumer market, where business conditions continue to shift rapidly, Sony aims to expand sales of value-added compact digital still cameras by introducing models that leverage Sony’s image sensor technologies to further enhance image quality, and also incorporate feature enhancements such as reduced size and weight, and higher-powered zoom. Sony will also seek to firmly maintain its number one global market share in the growing mirrorless lens camera category. Through these measures, Sony will target sales of 1.3 trillion yen and an operating profit margin of more than 10% across the image sensor, professional, and consumer categories by FY14."
Later in the text the FY2014 targets for imaging business are defined as "sales of 1.5 trillion yen and double-digit operating income margin." (probably 1.5 is a typo, all other materials talk about 1.3 trillion.)
Sony corporate presentation shows this in PPT bullets form:
ON Semi to Manufacture Image Sensor at Gresham, Oregon Fab
Business Wire: ON Semiconductor is collaborating with SRI International and Ball Aerospace to secure funding for the Defense Production Act Title III, Advanced CMOS Focal Plane Arrays (FPA) for Visible Sensors for Star Trackers (VSST) Project. The goal of the project is to increase the availability of domestically produced visible imagers, manufactured using advanced CMOS technology, that are designed to enable flexible visible imaging systems for use on-board satellite systems for Department of Defense and other U.S. Government needs.
To meet the goals of the Staring Technology for Enhanced Linear Line-of-sight Angular Recognition (STELLAR) program, the companies will work together to develop an advanced 2D visible image sensor. ON Semiconductor brings its on-shore and highly modular 180nm CMOS process technology along with its extensive experience designing high performance CMOS image sensors. SRI International brings extensive experience in designing focal plane arrays for space applications, along with a highly advanced BSI processing capability based on its ultra-thin silicon on insulator (UTSOI) technology.
The ONC18 CMOS process manufactured at ON Semiconductor’s on-shore 8-inch fab in Gresham, Oregon, is an ideal platform for developing low power and highly integrated digital and mixed-signal application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) devices. The STELLAR program will further expand the ONC18 process to include pinned photodiode and transfer gate devices. Combined with ON Semiconductor’s long term commitment to maintain and support process technologies, this capability enabling development of advanced CMOS image sensors will extend supply availability.
"The addition of an image sensor module to our ONC18 platform reinforces our commitment to the space-level DoD business and the overall image sensor market," stated Vince Hopkin, VP at Mil/Aero, Digital, Foundry, IPD and Image Sensor products division at ON Semiconductor. "The ONC18 image sensor process capability will enable a second source capability for the markets we serve including machine-vision, high-speed and biometrics."
To meet the goals of the Staring Technology for Enhanced Linear Line-of-sight Angular Recognition (STELLAR) program, the companies will work together to develop an advanced 2D visible image sensor. ON Semiconductor brings its on-shore and highly modular 180nm CMOS process technology along with its extensive experience designing high performance CMOS image sensors. SRI International brings extensive experience in designing focal plane arrays for space applications, along with a highly advanced BSI processing capability based on its ultra-thin silicon on insulator (UTSOI) technology.
The ONC18 CMOS process manufactured at ON Semiconductor’s on-shore 8-inch fab in Gresham, Oregon, is an ideal platform for developing low power and highly integrated digital and mixed-signal application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) devices. The STELLAR program will further expand the ONC18 process to include pinned photodiode and transfer gate devices. Combined with ON Semiconductor’s long term commitment to maintain and support process technologies, this capability enabling development of advanced CMOS image sensors will extend supply availability.
"The addition of an image sensor module to our ONC18 platform reinforces our commitment to the space-level DoD business and the overall image sensor market," stated Vince Hopkin, VP at Mil/Aero, Digital, Foundry, IPD and Image Sensor products division at ON Semiconductor. "The ONC18 image sensor process capability will enable a second source capability for the markets we serve including machine-vision, high-speed and biometrics."
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| Gresham Fab |
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Next Generation Kinect Based on ToF Sensor
Wired: Microsoft announced the next generation of Xbox - Xbox One, featuring new Kinect based on ToF sensor. The new Kinect camera is tightly integrated now - the new Xbox does not function without it. It features 1080p30 video and is said to have a vastly improved depth camera that can even detect a heartbeat (from RGB image, it appears) (flash plugin needed):
Update: As said in comments, Engadget publishes Microsoft's CVP Ilan Splillinger explanations on Kinect sensor: "The highlight of the story is the CMOS sensor, which we developed internally. This design was done completely, 100 percent on this site. This is brand-new technology. There is discontinuity between this technology and the first Kinect; from the technology perspective that we are using for depth, for 3D measurement. So this was done here. On this one, this was a complete Microsoft custom design, where our engagement is directly with the manufacturer. It's not with any third party. We did the work. We do the qualification of the parts. We do the validation of the parts. We have done everything on this one."
Update: As said in comments, Engadget publishes Microsoft's CVP Ilan Splillinger explanations on Kinect sensor: "The highlight of the story is the CMOS sensor, which we developed internally. This design was done completely, 100 percent on this site. This is brand-new technology. There is discontinuity between this technology and the first Kinect; from the technology perspective that we are using for depth, for 3D measurement. So this was done here. On this one, this was a complete Microsoft custom design, where our engagement is directly with the manufacturer. It's not with any third party. We did the work. We do the qualification of the parts. We do the validation of the parts. We have done everything on this one."
Nokia Lumia 920 Uses Sony Sensor
Yole Developpement and SystemPlus Consulting published a camera reverse engineering report of the new Nokia flagship phone, the Lumia 920. Its 8.7MP camera is based on Sony 1.4um BSI sensor, while most of other Nokia mobile phones rely on ST and Toshiba for rear camera imager:
The module features OIS with lens shifted in parallel to sensor and ST-manufactured gyro. DPReview quotes Juha Alakarhu talking about OIS in the 925 model, 920's sibling:
"I think we are the only in the smartphone market to it the way we are doing it. We are moving the lens so that it stays parallel to the sensor at all times, for example, not tilting it unlike some other systems, because when you are tilting it means the corners become blurry and that seriously limits the power of the optical stabilization. So I think the OIS we have is really unique and the amount of time and effort we’ve put in building it and optimizing it, I think the result is there."
The module features OIS with lens shifted in parallel to sensor and ST-manufactured gyro. DPReview quotes Juha Alakarhu talking about OIS in the 925 model, 920's sibling:
"I think we are the only in the smartphone market to it the way we are doing it. We are moving the lens so that it stays parallel to the sensor at all times, for example, not tilting it unlike some other systems, because when you are tilting it means the corners become blurry and that seriously limits the power of the optical stabilization. So I think the OIS we have is really unique and the amount of time and effort we’ve put in building it and optimizing it, I think the result is there."
Asygn Image Sensor Circuit Simulator
5 year-old CEA spin-off Asygn promises to break the speed barriers in the image sensor circuit simulation, allowing to simulate the whole image sensor circuit in reasonable time:
The company's Tactyle-MX simulator "has been used to simulate a 1.2M pixel imager device (where each pixel contained about 20 transistors) in less than 15 minutes on a basic machine using a single CPU." (The system time or accuracy numbers are not stated.)
"The most convenient way to understand the effect of pixel leakage or inter-pixel parasitics is to look at a sequence of complete images, comparing individual frames with each other and with references. Further, verification methodologies that do not include, at some point in the flow, a complete behavioural simulation based on the final netlist of a circuit run a considerable risk: if there are any errors in the extrapolation of results obtained on the test sub-circuits to the full device, then they may not be detected."
Examples of the effects that can be simulated:
The simulator is said to run on a real netlist, using the real, non-simplified, transistor models:
The company's Tactyle-MX simulator "has been used to simulate a 1.2M pixel imager device (where each pixel contained about 20 transistors) in less than 15 minutes on a basic machine using a single CPU." (The system time or accuracy numbers are not stated.)
"The most convenient way to understand the effect of pixel leakage or inter-pixel parasitics is to look at a sequence of complete images, comparing individual frames with each other and with references. Further, verification methodologies that do not include, at some point in the flow, a complete behavioural simulation based on the final netlist of a circuit run a considerable risk: if there are any errors in the extrapolation of results obtained on the test sub-circuits to the full device, then they may not be detected."
Examples of the effects that can be simulated:
The simulator is said to run on a real netlist, using the real, non-simplified, transistor models:
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