Vision takes CMOS imaging to new levels

Citation

(1998), "Vision takes CMOS imaging to new levels", Sensor Review, Vol. 18 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.1998.08718baf.011

Vision takes CMOS imaging to new levels

Vision takes CMOS imaging to new levels

Vision announces new generation of CMOS image sensors with best-ever image quality and highest resolution

Keywords Image processing, Sensors, Vision

Vision, a supplier of CMOS imaging sensors world-wide, have announced two new products which take CMOS imaging to new levels of quality and performance.

The VV6407 builds on Vision's established track record in the digital videoconferencing market place, and is a new benchmark in the performance of CMQS devices. The 356 × 292 pixel CIF colour sensor incorporates improved architecture, improved colourisation and the addition of a microlens to give 6dB improvement over previous performance. Accordingly, the VV6407 offers signal to noise ratio of 48dB at 200 lux, resulting in image quality unrivalled by any other CMOS product.

Vision also announces a 1.3 million pixel colour digital stills camera (DSC) sensor, the VV6801, with on-chip A/D conversion. Following the company's success with its 800k pixel colour DSC sensor, this new generation 1,280 × 1,024 pixel device offers both higher resolution and enhanced performance with the world's first 12 bit on chip conversion.

Since Vision's entry into the DSC sensor market, CMOS has become identified and accepted as the imaging technology of the future, crucially offering DSCs low power and longer battery life, higher resolution and reduced component count.

"Just as cameras based on our 800k pixel sensor lead the market in terms of resolution at their price level, so we believe that this 1.3 million pixel sensor will allow our OEM customers to take a lead with their next generation products. We are now seeking a limited number of partners with whom to move forward with this new device,"' said Peter Denyer, managing director.

Major technical advances at Vision including the introduction of microlens technology have allowed reduction in pixel size without sacrificing sensitivity.

"By improving the read-out architecture, colour spectra and adding a micro lens, the Vision VV6407 device has taken a quantum leap of 6dB in signal to noise ratio on our already impressive sensor performance," explained Graham Townsend, technical director.

The VV6407 may be interfaced directly to Vision's existing range of video processor ASICs to create low cost high performance video cameras with industry standard CCIR 601/656, NTSC and PAL outputs/interfaces.

Vision produces the most comprehensive range of CMOS imaging products world-wide. The company has a proven track record in volume supply to leading OEM companies, with customers in markets as diverse as videoconferencing digital photography, security, toys and biometrics. All Vision products are based on the company's proprietary CMOS imaging technology. Unlike the older, alternative CCD technology, CMQS offers highly integrated solutions with extensive onboard controls. Vision's CMOS image sensors are compact in size with reduced power consumption, operating from single power supplies as low as 3.3V. Both monochrome and colour sensors are available from Vision in resolutions from 20k to 1.3 million pixels.

Samples of the VV6407 and VV6801 are available now. All other products in the Vision range, from low resolution to 800,000 pixel digital stills sensors are shipping now, with evaluation systems available to assist in design-in. More information is available on Vision's Web site at http://www.vvl.co.uk