Image sensors.

The Flash™ CMOS image sensor family from Teledyne e2v, has been expanded with the introduction of Flash 2K LSA, which has been specifically adapted for laser profiling applications requiring the use of a Large Scheimpflug Angle (LSA).

Teledyne e2v’s Flash family of CMOS image sensors are specifically tailored for 3D laser profiling/displacement applications and high speed/high resolution inspection. Flash 2K LSA is a derivative of the popular Flash 2K sensor for applications requiring large Scheimpflug angles, with an angular response that has been multiplied more than four times for 30° angles and more than seven times for 40° angles. In addition to improving image quality, this sensor enables the power of the laser line at system level to be optimized when large Scheimpflug angles are used.

Flash 2K LSA shares the same 6 µm CMOS global shutter pixel as the other members of the Flash family, which effectively combines high resolution and fast frame rates. It also has the same application-based features such as HDR modes up to 100 dB, multiple Regions of Interest and frame-to-frame on-the-fly changes.

Yoann Lochardet, Marketing Manager for 3D at Teledyne e2v said, “We are very pleased to announce this new version of Flash 2K, designed to enable easy and cost-effective integration, so that our customers can have a camera portfolio for all Scheimpflug angles, using the same CMOS sensor for all versions. This minimizes camera redesigns and simplifies the supply chain.”

Flash is also available in 2K (2K x 1K, 1,500 fps full frame) and 4K (4K x 1K, 1,800 fps full frame), with or without standard micro-lenses, and combined with or without a glass lid.

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GaN-on-Si product supplier appoints new director.

EpiGaN, supplier of commercial GaN-on-Silicon epi-wafers for the power switching, RF power and sensor market, announces that Lou Hermans has joined their Board of Directors. Hermans will add his broad expertise in founding and growing semiconductor startups to implementing the expansion of EpiGaN and its continuously growing portfolio of GaN-on-Si products and services.

Lou Hermans

In 2007 Lou Hermans co-founded CMOSIS NV a leading provider of high-performance CMOS image sensors and solutions based in Antwerp Belgium where he served in the past as Chairman of the Board, VP Marketing and Sales and COO.

“Being an IMEC spin-off and knowing the EpiGaN founding team from my time at IMEC, I have always been following with great interest the development of EpiGaN, its products and services offered. Therefore I accepted with great pleasure and enthusiasm the invitation to become an independent board member and to support on the basis of my experience the further growth of EpiGaN.

EpiGaN, founded in 2010 as a spin-off of the Belgian research organization Imec, is continuing on its successful trajectory of becoming a world leading materials and solution provider in the field of GaN-on-Si technology. EpiGaN, operating out of Hasselt, develops and delivers GaN-on-Si and GaN-on-SiC epiwafers to semiconductor device manufacturers worldwide for power switching, RF power and sensor applications.

The company is today developing and shipping epitaxial (Al,Ga)N heterostructures grown on up to 200mm Si substrates to enable its customers to successfully position themselves in rapidly growing market segments.

"Lou has a far reaching experience and expertise in successfully growing semiconductor startup companies. That's why we invited him to join our Board of Directors in an advisory role," said Dr Marianne Germain, cofounder and CEO of EpiGaN. "We are now taking our next expansion step as the GaN market is accelerating its transition from R&D activities to full-fledged commercial production and application."

Image sensor manufacturer appoints Director of Business Development for America!

CMOSIS has announced additional resources for America. The Belgian based company assigned Bruce Bradford as the new Director of Business Development based in Cary, (NC USA) to manage CMOSIS operations and growth in America.

Bruce Bradford

“We are extremely delighted with this important step in the further development of CMOSIS as a leading player in advanced CMOS image sensors,” said Lou Hermans, Chief Operating Officer, CMOSIS. “We are investing in establishing CMOSIS America and the assignment of Bruce Bradford to support our existing customer base and to pursue new relationships and opportunities. We are delighted to have Bruce Bradford joining our team as the newly appointed Director of Business Development. We see America as an important region with lots of opportunities for our business. Bruce’s long history with CMOS sensors, CCD’s and camera systems marketplace will bring our business in America to the next level. A local, US presence was the logical step to achieve this.”

Bruce Bradford brings in 30 years of cultivating successful business partnerships and developing sales growth in the high technology marketplace. His vast experience in the imaging market with companies such as Fairchild Imaging and e2v will be invaluable in developing new opportunities in machine vision, broadcast, industrial, biometrics, security and barcode applications served by CMOSIS’ products today.

“CMOSIS is a top notch high-tech company that has developed many high performance CMOS sensors meeting the increased demand of existing and emerging imaging applications. I am very excited to join the team and manage the new operations of CMOSIS in America. It is very motivating to see CMOSIS’ commitment to innovate new image sensor technologies that the market demands in America. The investment in the new entity shows the dedication to support the business in the region”, Bruce Bradford said.

Image sensor family

CMOSIS has introduced a 20-Megapixel image sensor for demanding, industrial applications. With the introduction of the CMV20000, CMOSIS broadens its current CMV portfolio of high-performing global shutters CMOS image sensors addressing the high-resolution segment of the industrial vision applications as well.

The unique properties and features such as high resolution, high dynamic range and global shutter, are a perfect fit for high-end industrial imaging systems, automation systems and medical applications.

The CMV20000 image sensor features a 20 Megapixel (5,120 x 3,840) resolution with 6.4 um sized square pixels resulting in an active sensor area of 32.8 x 24.6 mm (35 mm film optical format). Peak quantum efficiency reaches up to more than 45 percent resulting in a superb responsivity of 8.29 V/lux.s in combination with an excellent dynamic range of 66 dB. By means of correlated double sampling in global shutter mode, the patented 8-transistor pixel cell architecture reduces any dark noise and FPN non-uniformity of the sensor matrix. The sensor also offers an excellent shutter efficiency, a common feature of the CMV image sensor family.

At full 20 Megapixel resolution and with a 12-bit ADC resolution the CMV20000 delivers 30 full frames per second. This is achieved by using 16 LVDS outputs running at 480 Mbit/s each. Lower frame rates can be supported by multiplexing to 8 output channels only. Partial read out, windowing and subsamples modes, can be programmed to support higher frame rates. At full resolution and frame rate, the power dissipation is 1.1W. This power consumption can be dynamically controlled when lower frame rates are used.

Driving and programming the on-chip features such as HDR (High Dynamic Range) modes, offset and gain programming and power dissipation control is done over a 3-wire read-write SPI control.

The monochrome variant of the CMV20000 image sensor is in production today. A color variant, with RGB Bayer CFA filter, will be introduced to the market in Q4 2012. It is housed in a ceramic 143-pin PGA package and can be operated in the -20 to +70 ºC temperature range. This extended temperature range makes the CMV20000 perfectly suited for most demanding and robust industrial applications.

The CMV20000 was originally developed as a customized, exclusive product aimed at complex traffic management applications. An agreement with the original customer allows CMOSIS to offer this imager to third parties for applications outside the traffic field.