Image sensors

Tuesday, February 13th 2007 - 18:53 CET - Comments: 0

A t the 3GSM World Congress, Micron Technology, Inc. introduced a new line-up of image sensors that create a powerful imaging platform for next-generation camera phones. Micron’s new camera phone sensors were developed using a tiny 1.75-micron pixel design and range in resolution from 5-, 3- and 1.3-megapixel. As the imaging market share leader for handsets, Micron is focused on developing leading-edge sensor innovations and improving the camera phone experience, encouraging new uses and opportunities for the technology.

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Camera phone image sensors

Just as voice and text-messaging are the mainstream communication methods for today's handsets, sharing photographs and video via handsets is fast gaining in popularity as the industry produces more advanced devices and mobile service providers offer more sophisticated services. This evolution in mobile communication is driven in part by social factors, but also by advancements in imaging technology. Micron's technology proficiency in CMOS imaging is enabling consumers to capture high-quality images and high-definition video all from a camera phone.

 

Micron CMOS imaging - Image sensors

"Digital imaging is gaining momentum as one of the mainstream applications for handsets because consumers want to visually communicate their life stories and camera phones are helping them do it," said Bob Gove, vice president of Micron's imaging group. "Micron's experience in CMOS imaging is enabling the possibility of having great video and still-picture capabilities combined in a handset. Our image sensors are designed into one-in-three camera phones today, and we're pleased to expand that imaging repertoire as we work to uncover new and fruitful opportunities for CMOS imaging."

 

Micron 8-megapixel image sensor

The new sensors join Micron's previously announced 8-megapixel image sensor, also developed on the 1.75-micron pixel. Micron leads the industry in shrinking pixels, creating a smaller sensor form factor for today's razor-thin phone designs, all the while maintaining picture quality. The following are additional key features of Micron's new CMOS image sensor line-up: The 5-megapixel fits into a 1/3.2-inch optical format and captures video at 60 frames per second (fps) at 720p and 30 fps at 1080p for high-definition video capture. The 3-megapixel fits into the standard camera phone 1/4-inch optical format and captures VGA video at 30 fps. The 1.3-megapixel is a completely integrated camera system on chip and fits into an ultra-tiny 1/11-inch optical format. This sensor also captures VGA video at 30 fps.

 

Camera phone image sensors - Availability

Micron is working to make a larger footprint in the world of digital photography. With its focus on bringing new experiences to digital still and video cameras, its CMOS market share leadership in camera phones and its recent acquisition of Lexar, Micron is at the forefront of innovation for today's digital photography enthusiasts. More information on Micron's photography revolution for camera phones will be available in its booth at 3GSM and can be found on its website. General customer sampling for the 5- and 3-megapixel sensors is planned for the second quarter 2007 and the 1.3-megapixel sensor is expected to sample in late first quarter 2007. Mass production is expected summer 2007.

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