Optoelectronics


Image sensor platforms for high performance industrial imaging


Industrial imaging is a growing market covering applications that range from inspection and robot guidance to high-end surveillance, intelligent transportation systems, scientific research, and much more. While customers working in these applications will all agree they require a “high performance” imaging system, the varying needs of these different applications means that the specific imaging requirements can vary greatly depending on the application being addressed. Michael DeLuca, Go To Market Manager, Industrial Solutions Division, ON Semiconductor, explains


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ometimes, “high performance” might mean capturing a high resolution image with high frame rate – capturing multiple megapixels at 50, 100, or 200 frames per second or more. But other times, different performance features might be more important, such as a physical small camera footprint, enhanced light sensitivity, colour fidelity, or customisability. With the breadth of this application space, no single imaging solution can effectively be used to meet all of these needs, requiring camera manufacturers to provide a portfolio of different cameras. And to be competitive, this portfolio needs to be developed in a cost effective manner, allowing multiple camera models to be designed, manufactured, and supported as quickly and efficiently as possible. Image sensor manufacturers can simplify development of this type of camera portfolio by developing an integrated family of high performance image sensors that span a range of resolutions and configuration options and that is based on a common image sensor architecture. By designing for such a platform, camera manufacturers can easily leverage a single camera design to support the entire family of image sensors.


Figure 2: Bandwidths of PYTHON devices


One example of this type of platform design for image sensors can be found in ON Semiconductor’s PYTHON family of global shutter CMOS image sensors. Since the VGA, 0.5 megapixel, and 1.3 megapixel members of the family all share a common package with the same pin definitions and electrical connections, a single camera can be easily designed to support all three of these devices. In a similar way, one design can support both the 2 and 5 megapixel members of the family as


well. But in practice these board layouts can be combined into one, since a socket is available that supports both of the LCC packages used in these devices. This allows devices from the VGA to 5 megapixels to be supported using a single board layout. When adding a second board design for the µPGA high resolution devices, all nine resolutions in the family – corresponding to 36 different saleable cameras in monochrome, colour, and extended NIR configurations – can be supported using only two PCBs. Even with this type of inter-compatibility, the actual imaging performance of the devices must meet the needs of the targeted applications. Here, the latest CMOS design and manufacturing technologies are required to enable global shutter imaging for the capture of moving objects without the introduction of motion artifacts, while still providing the high sensitivity and low noise needed to preserve the integrity of the final image even as lighting conditions are reduced. Data bandwidth can also be a critical performance parameter, as end users look not only to optimise frame rates for their application but also to maximise utilisation of established camera interfaces. With the explosion of opportunities becoming available in industrial imaging applications, the use of a platform design becomes even more important as a way to provide the variety of imaging options required in these applications. By enabling camera development to be leveraged across a full product line of image sensors with multiple configurations and resolutions, camera manufacturers can simplify the work needed to develop, design, and then support a full range of cameras that provide the critical imaging performance needed by their customers.


Figure 1: PYTHON global shutter CMOS image sensors www.cieonline.co.uk


www.onsemi.com Read the full article here: www.cieonline.co.uk/ image-sensor-platforms-for-high-performance- industrial-imaging/


Components in Electronics September 2017 31


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