audio/videoZONE Products for the week of October 31, 2005
AMI Semiconductor Says . . .
AMIS-70700: CMOS Imager Has VGA Resolution For Intelligent
Camera Applications
Robust, integrated device with wide operating temperature
range is ideal for automotive, industrial and security applications
AMI Semiconductor, a designer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art integrated mixed-signal and structured digital products for the automotive, medical and industrial markets, introduced a high performance CMOS imaging IC for intelligent camera applications. The high performance AMIS-70700 optoelectronic device - realized in AMI Semiconductor's automotive qualified technology - has been developed in partnership with CMOS image sensor and camera specialist Photonfocus AG. The new device will simplify the design and implementation of high quality digital camera applications in automotive, industrial, security and surveillance systems.
The AMIS-70700 can be used at temperatures ranging from -40ºC to 105ºC. High pixel resolution of 750 x 400 is combined with an RS232 image output speed up to 60 full frames per second. The IC combines low fixed pattern noise with a very high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and uses built-in compensation techniques to minimize high temperature leakage. Use of the Photonfocus LinLog technology contributes to the IC's high dynamic range and ensures acquisition of high contrast images without image lag or smear, even at high frame rates. In addition, the LinLog 'global shutter' capability allows fast moving scenes to be captured without motion artifacts.
The high performance, wide operating temperature range and high SNR capabilities of the new IC make it well suited for new and emerging 'real-time' intelligent camera applications. In the automotive sector these include driver assistance systems such as rear view park assist and blind spot detection, and obstacle detection and avoidance systems, where the need for accurate edge and pattern identification demands clarity and high speed operation in all driving conditions. In the industrial and security environments the AMIS-70700 meets requirements for high quality digital cameras capable of operating in low light or the infrared spectrum, and in high temperature applications such as welding process monitoring.
A key element in the AMIS IC implementation has been the use of the Photonfocus LinLog technology. LinLog overcomes the drawbacks of pure logarithmic image sensors by using a linear response at low illumination levels and logarithmic compression at high intensities. Transition between the two is optimized to prevent artifacts and discontinuities. The use of linear response at low light levels increases the signal swing at the output of the pixel to maximize sensitivity. In addition it reduces the effects of fixed pattern offset and gain noise associated with logarithmic sensors.
"From must-have automotive comfort and safety systems to industrial
and security products, intelligent digital cameras are becoming a key element
of new and emerging applications," said Bob Klosterboer, senior vice
president of mixed-signal products for AMI Semiconductor. "The AMIS-70700
IC provides an integrated and cost-effective solution that delivers the
high levels of functionality and performance that these applications demand,
while lowering component count and simplifying circuit design."
analogZONE Says...
This is very much a win-win cooperation between AMI Semiconductor and Photonfocus and the LinLog IP coming from Germany -- who have become specialists in machine vision but are fabless.
It is the LinLog approach which makes this product such a winner. It is, essentially, a gamma correction approach with the knee points changeable at different light intensity levels, a completely logical approach that matches the techniques used in analog television cameras, for so many years, to cope with display non-linearity. In this case it effectively amplifies smaller signals more than larger intensity signals. The effective dynamic range is 60 dB when fully linear and 120 dB with LinLog.
The AMIS-70700 (which will be called the EMPHUS-300 when coming from Photonfocus) is a monochrome imager that has a resolution of 750 x 400 pixels and is fabricated in CMOS. Pixels are square at 10.6 µm x 10.6 µm and the active optical area is 7.95 mm x 7.95 mm. The pixel rate is 20 MHz and the maximum frame rate is 60 frame/s. The output resolution is 10 bit.
Supply voltages of 3.3 V and 4.2 V are required and the consumption (at 20 MHz) is 300 mW.
The part is optimally used with a ?-inch lens format and programmable gain on-chip is x1 to x8 in 8 steps.
The LinLog feature of the AMIS-70700 makes it a must look for low light applications where only monochrome performance is required. It is one of those obvious little genius touches that sells product.
The AMIS-70700 is is production in a ceramic LCC-52 and is also available as bumped and probed die, or unbumped and probed die. The sample low-volume price is $35 and an evaluation kit is available. Photonfocus will be acting as a distribution partner in industries it is already heavily involved in.