Without a
shadow of a doubt, Sony is among the big names in the imaging sensor industry.
In the dusk of 2013, it releases its first global shutter CMOS sensor IMX174. With
its Exmor CMOS technology, it possess unprecedented dynamic range of more than 70dB as a CMOS sensor.
Fix pattern noise that is commonly found on CMOS is basically non existence. The read noise is exceptionally low with only ~6 electrons. Coupled
with its large pixel size of 5.68um, this sensor is extremely sensitive to
light and it deliver up to a maximum of ~160fps at 1920 x 1200 resolutions.
In the
past, KAI series sensor based cameras from Truesense have always been the obvious
choice for most OEM equipment makers that have requirement less than 4 Mpx resolution
in high speed (~50 to >100fps) defects inspection. The wind of change is blowing, with the prevailing Exmor technology from IMX174 even the most recent KAI-2170 Truesense sensor is being eclipsed by this Sony technology .
KAI-2170
|
IMX174
|
|
Linear Dynamic Range (est)
|
~70dB
|
~70dB
|
Read Noise
|
12 e
|
6.83 e
|
Full Well
|
44ke
|
32.5ke
|
Pixel Size
|
7.4 x 7.4 um
|
5.68 x 5.68um
|
Maximum Quantum efficiency
|
52% @ 500nm
|
76% @525nm
|
Resolutions
|
1920 x 1080
|
1920 x 1200
|
Maximum frame rate
|
Quad Output @ 60 fps
|
8 LVDS Output @
~160fps
|
Architecture
|
Interline CCD;
Progressive Scan
|
Exmor CMOS read out
technology
|
Format
|
1”
|
1/1.2”
|
Package
|
68 pin PGA
|
118pin - LGA
|
It is unfortunate that current IMX174 sensor based cameras only comes with USB3.0 interface (Pointgrey). Market adaptation to this interface is still uncommon due to various reasons. Most OEM equipment makers at this moment still prefer the traditional Cameralink technology.
Existing machine vision lighting and lens technology prove to be sufficient when working with Truesense based cameras. There is no pressing need at this moment to address the sensitivity or the dynamic range issues on existing equipment.
Also, if IMX174 serves only machine vision application it will do no justice to the specification
it possess. The wide dynamic range in combination of its HD format, delineate a perfect blueprint for high end outdoor daylight camera.
IMX174 is an excellent product and the landscape for less than 4Mpx industry cameras will definitely be redefined.
IMX174 is an excellent product and the landscape for less than 4Mpx industry cameras will definitely be redefined.
No comments:
Post a Comment