i-Micronews Reviews Sony CIS News

...
i-Micronews published recent Sony CIS business announcements and plans overview. The article presents a nice summary of all Sony news for the last 2-3 years.

Thanks to EK for sending me the link!
7:32 AM

Sony Effio AFE Production Still Recovering after the Earthquake

...
Sony posted an update on CCD analog front-end (AFE) Effio production recovery after the earthquake in March 2011. As of Sept. 9 the production of older generation Effio AFE CXD4813GG/CXD4816GG has not resumed yet, but expected to start "within September". The mass production of new generation Effio AFE, the CXD5148GG has started from August 26.
11:31 PM

Samsung Expands its BSI Line on High and Low Ends

...
Business Wire: Samsung announced 1.2MP 1/8.2-inch CMOS image sensor SoC, the S5K8AA. The new sensor is based on 1.4um BSI pixels and aimed to camera modules shorter than 3mm for the slim mobile devices. The S5K8AA supports 30fps HD (720p) video and 60fps at VGA resolution. It fitts into a 5.5 x 5.5mm camera module with an extreme 2.8mm low profile.

Samsung’s S5K8AA image sensor is currently sampling to qualified customers.

Business Wire: Samsung also announced 1/2.3-inch 16MP image sensor, the S5K2P1, based on 1.34um BSI pixel and designed for high-performance, advanced smartphones as well as digital still cameras and camcorders. The S5K2P1 is fast - it supports a native 16:9 format video at up to 8.3MP resolution at 60 fps and full 16MP resolution for point-and-shoot images at 30 fps without shutter lag effect.

According to TSR, the DSC market is expected to reach 154M units in 2012 where a substantial portion of up to 48.2 percent is forecast to be adoption of CMOS image sensors as the main sensor device.

Samsung’s S5K2P1 image sensor is currently sampling to select customers. Its mass production is scheduled for November 2011.
12:13 AM

list of books to refer for marine engineer exams in india mmd

...
Preparatory Notes For MARINE ENGINEERS

LIST OF EK G EBOOK
Air Compressor & Receiver
An Introduction to the IMDG Code
Centrifugal Pump
CO2 Flooding System
Fire in the Engine Room
Foam Fire Fighting System
HEAT EXCHANGERS
Hull Terms & Hull Survey Terms
Internal-combustion engine definitions
International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
ISPS Code (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code)
Lubrication and Oil Analysis Dictionary
MARPOL7378 Annex VI
MARPOL Annex I an introduction
OIL REFINERY PROCESSES
POINTS FOR ORALS PART 1
PROPELLER, SHAFTING AND CPP
PROPULSION ALTERNATIVES, LNG
Pumps 1
Refrigeration - Reciprocating & Rotary Compressors
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Sewage Plant Operation
Ships Plan
Steering gear
Stern Tube
Stern Tube 1
MARITIME SECURITY REGULATIONS AND THEIR IMPLICATION

LIST OF EK M EBOOK
1ME Engines. The New Generation of Diesel Engines
2Engine Construction.
3aDIESEL ENGINE CRANKSHAFTS
3bCrankshaft Deflections
3cCHOCKING, BRACING
3dConnecting Rod & B.E. Bolts
3eENGINE BEDPLATE
3fFATIGUE .
3gFatigue of Ship Structures.
4STROKE DISEL ENGINE
4TIE BOLTS
575 EKM ORAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
CYLINDER CONDITION
EKM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS NO AUDIO
Fuel
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Fuel Injection in the CI Engine
Fuel Injection System
Governor Definitions
GOVERNOR TROUBLESHOOTING. MAINTENANCE
Holding down bolts
Hydraulic Governor
MAIN THRUST BEARINGS
ME & AE Valves
Mechanical Governor
NORCONTROL BRIDGE CONTROL UTILISING AN ELECTRONIC GOVERNOR
SHIPS FUEL CONSUMPTION
SULZER RT-FLEX ENGINE
Taking indicator diagrams
Terms associated with Marine Fuels

MARINE ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE COMBINED

LIST OF ELECTRICAL EBOOKS
A.C. Motor Protection and Faults
A.C Generators
Air Circuit Breaker
Automatic Voltage Regulation
DC motors and their representation
Electrical Measurement Safety
ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION
FUNDAMENTAL ELECTRICAL THEORY
Induction Motors
Motor Starters
Motor starting methods
Parallel Operation of Alternators
Synchronous Generators
SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR
Three phase Induction Motor
TRANSFORMER 1
Transformers

LIST OF MISCELLANEOUS EBOOKS
AFT END ARRANGEMENT
ARCHIMEDE'S PRINCIPLE OF FLOTATION
BOOMS, CRANES AND RIGS
Buoyant Forces Archimedes' Principle
Effects of weight and stability
EMERGENCY RESPONSE FOR OIL-SPILL
Environmental Compliance
International Safety Management (ISM) Code
Introduction Shipping
IR-CAP
Marine insurance law
MARPOL 7378 1 TO 6
Principles of Ship's Stability
PRINCIPLES OF STABILITY 1
Reduction of Green House Gas Emissions from Ships
Resistance and Powering of Ship
SAFETY NOTES
Seafarers Identity
Ship Hydro-Statics & Dynamics
Ship Manoeuvrability
SHIP REPAIR
Stability
Stability & Buoyancy
Stability Definitions
The Secure Combination on Seafarer ID Cards
What is the ISM code
..............
M❤K
    .::"A COMMON MAN WITH A COMMON THOUGHT'S !"::.

9:32 AM

Prime Movers, Pumps and Air Compressors

...
Prime Movers, Pumps and Air Compressors
    Figure 6-1.—Rotor and stator assemblies of an induction motor.
    Lubrication
    Figure  6-4.—Coupling.
    Internal Combustion Engines
    Operation and Maintenance of Diesel Engines - Continued
    Operation and Maintenance of Gasoline  Engines
    Safety
    Pumps
    Suction Force
    Types of Pumps
    Reciprocating Pumps
    Types of Reciprocating Pumps
    Figure 6-13.—Portable diaphragm pump.
    Operating and Maintenance of Reciprocating Pumps
    Centrifugal Pumps
    Use of Centrifugal Pumps
    Figure 6-18.—Sewage ejector centrifugal pumps.
    Advantages and Disadvantages of Centrifugal Pumps
    Figure 6-19.—Packing installation procedures.
    Figure  6-19.—Packing  installation  procedures-Continued.
    Figure 6-20.—Type 1 mechanical seal.
    Figure 6-22.—Grid-type flexible coupling.
    Figure 6-23.—Impeller, impeller wearing ring, and casing
    Operating Troubles
    Table  6-1.—Centrifugal  Pump  Operating  Trouble—Continued
    Air-Lift Pumps
    Jet Pumps
    Installation of Pumps
    Figure 6-31.—Making angular alignment.
    Piping
    Figure 6-34.—Unbalanced loading of a double-suction impeller
    Stuffing Box
    Pump Maintenance
    Bearing Lubrication—Grease
    Stuffing Box
    Mechanical Shaft Seals
    Maintenance Timetable
    Air Compressors
    Table 6-3.—Troubleshooting
    Table 6-3.—Troubleshooting—Continued
    Compressor Components
    Figure 6-37.—A two-stage reciprocating air compressor.
    Unloading Systems
    Unloading Systems - Continued
    Figure 6-42.—LP air compressor piping arrangements.
    Cooling System
    Operation and Maintenance of Air Compressors
    Compressed-Air Distribution
    Auxiliary Equipment
    Safety Precautions
    Figure  6-46.—Traps
    Figure  6-47.—Air  receiver.
    Safety Precautions - Conntinued

..............
M❤K
    .::"A COMMON MAN WITH A COMMON THOUGHT'S !"::.

6:40 AM

Valves and Accessories

...
Valves and Accessories
Globe Valve
Check Valve
Stop-Check Valve
Pressure-Relief Valve
Hydraulic Control Valve
Spotting-in Valves
Lapping  Valves
Valve Accessories
Gearboxes
Water Meters
Meter Dials
Fire Hydrants
Flushing and Testing
Disinfection of Water-Supply System Components
Figure 4-21.—Fire hydrant installation.
Emergencies
Insulation
Figure 4-24.—Types of pipe insulation.
..............
M❤K
    .::"A COMMON MAN WITH A COMMON THOUGHT'S !"::.

6:39 AM

Gas Welding Equipment and list of things included.

...
Gas Welding Equipment and details: http://www.tpub.com/content/construction/14265/css/14265_105.htm
Figure 3-48.—Auxiliary equipment.
Welding and Brazing
Figure 3-50.—MAPP-gas flames.
Figure 3-52.—Typical oxygen cylinder.
Figure 3-54.—Two-stage regulator.
Figure 3-55.—Mixing head for a low-pressure torch.
Selection of Torch Tip
Maintenance of Gas-Welding Equipment
Galvanized Pipe
Fittings
Reading the Size of Fittings
Cutting, Reaming, and Threading
Joining
Cement-Asbestos Pipe
Ductile Iron Pipe
PVC-Class Water Pipe

..............
M❤K
    .::"A COMMON MAN WITH A COMMON THOUGHT'S !"::.

6:27 AM

Construction and maintenance manuals of operation of marine engine.

...
Construction Training and Maintenance Manuals

Chapter 1 Technical Administration

    Maintenance Categories
    Maintenance Scheduling
    Figure 1-1.—Sample preventive maintenance inspection schedule.
    Maintenance Inspections
    PM Record Cards
    Figure 1-3.—Vehicle/Construction Equipment PM Record Card, NAVFAC Form 11240/6.
    Repair Orders
    Figure 1-5.—Shop Repair Order Continuation Sheet.
    Figure 1-6.—Equipment Repair Order (ERO), NAVFAC 11200/41.
    Figure 1-7.—Equipment Repair Order (ERO) Block Codes, NAVFAC 11200/41.
    Figure 1-8.—Equipment Repair Order (ERO) Continuation Sheet, NAVFAC 11200/41A.
    Figure 1-9.—Equipment Repair Order (ERO) Work Sheet, NAVFAC 11200/41B.
    Figure 1-10.—Equipment Repair Order (ERO) Log
    Equipment History Jackets
    Figure  1-11.—DoD  Property  Record,  DD  Form  1342.
    Figure 1-13.—Time card.
    14264_28
    Levels
    Figure 1-14.—Component identification group numbers (CIDs).
    Technical Manuals
    Requesting Spare Parts
    Figure 1-16.—Non-NSN Requisition, NAVSUP Form 1250-2.
    Repair Parts Control
    Figure 1-17.—DTO Log.
    Repair Parts Summary Sheet
    Figure 1-19.—DTO Information Sheet.
    Figure  1-20.—DD  Form  1348-1.

Chapter 2 Principles of an Internal Combustion Engine

    Development of Power
    Four-Stroke-Cycle Engine
    Figure 2-5.—Four-stroke cycle in a gasoline engine.
    Two-Stroke-Cycle Engine
    Figure 2-6.—Strokes and events in a four-stroke-cycle diesel engine.
    Figure 2-7.—Strokes and events in a two-stroke-cycle diesel engine cylinder.
    Classification of Engines
    Multiple-Cylinder Engines
    Arrangement of Cylinders
    Arrangement of Valves
    Figure 2-14.—T-head engine.
    Engine Measurements and Performance
    Figure   2-18.—Horsepower.
    Figure  2-20.—Prony  brake.
    Fire 2-22.—Demonstrating volumetric efficiency.
    Thermal Efficiency
    Linear Measurements
    Engine Performance
    Figure  2-26.—Typical  valve  timing  diagrams.
    Figure  2-28.—Valve  opening  duration.
    Figure 2-31.—Ignition timing.

Chapter 3 Construction of an Internal Combustion Engine

    FFigure 3-1.—Cylinder block and components.
    Figure 3-2.—Requirements of a cylinder.
    Figure  3-4.—Cylinder  sleeves.
    Figure 3-5.—Cylinder sleeve casualties.
    Figure 3-8.—Aircooled crankcase.
    Cylinder  Head
    Figure  3-11.—Combustion  chambers.
    Figure  3-13.—Cylinder  head  sealing.
    Exhaust Manifold
    Figure 3-15.—Typical intake manifold.
    Gaskets
    Moving Parts of an Engine
    Figure 3-20.—Synthetic rubber oil seals.
    Piston Assembly
    Figure 3-23.—The parts of a piston.
    Figure 3-25.—Controlling piston expansion.
    Figure 3-26.—Cam-ground piston action.
    Figure 3-29.—Piston pin.
    Figure 3-31.—Purpose of piston rings.
    Figure 3-32.—Types of piston rings.
    Figure 3-35.—Ring gap variations.
    Connecting Rods
    Crankshaft
    Figure  3-40.—Crankshaft  construction.
    Figure 3-41.—Crankshaft throw arrangements.
    Figure 3-43.—Typical insert bearing installation.
    Vibration Damper
    Valve and Valve Mechanisms
    Camshaft
    Figure 3-48.—Hydraulic tappets.
    Valve  and  Valve  Seats
    Valve  Guides
    Figure  3-54.—Valve  rotators.
    Figure 3-56.—Valve-refacing machine.
    Valve Guide Service
    Figure 3-59.—Puller used in removing valve seat inserts.
    Rocker Arm Service
    Timing Gears (Gear Trains)
    Engine Bearings
    Bearing Lubrication
    Bearing Characteristics
    Engine Adjustment and Testing
    Valves  in  Block
    Compression Test
    Vacuum Gauge Test
    Cylinder Leakage Test
    Cylinder Leakage Test - Continued

Chapter 4 Gasoline Fuel Systems

    Air-Fuel Ratio
    Gasoline Fuel System Components
    Fuel  Tank
    Fuel  Gauges
    Figure 4-5.—Thermostatic fuel gauge: self-regulating.
    Fuel Filters
    Fuel Pump
    Figure 4-9.—Fuel filter elements.
    Figure 4-10.—Mechanical positive fuel pump installation.
    Figure 4-11.—Mechanical nonpositive fuel pump.
    Figure 4-13.—Bellows-type electric fuel pump.
    Fuel Lines and Hoses
    Air Cleaner
    Principles of Carburetion
    Figure 1-17.—Example of atomization.
    Carburetor
    Float  System
    Idle System
    Figure 4-23.—Diaphragm accelerator pump.
    High-Speed System
    Figure 4-26.—Mechanically operated metering rod.
    Full-Power System
    Choke System
    Figure 4-29.—Manual choke system.
    Figure 4-34.—Engine coolant heated choke.
    Figure 4-36.—Exhaust-manifold heat-tube choke.
    Carburetor Accessories
    Figure 4-40.—Antidieseling solenoid operation.
    Computer Controlled Carburetors
    Carburetor Troubles
    Gasoline Fuel Injection Systems
    Figure 4-43.—Mechanical-timed injection.
    Figure 4-44.—Electronic-timed injection.
    Timed Fuel Injection Systems - Continued
    Continuous Fuel Injection Systems
    Throttle Body Injection System
    Exhaust and Emission Control Systems
    Exhaust Manifold
    Figure 4-48.—Manifold heat control valve.
    Catalytic Converters
    Air Injection System
    Figure 4-51.—Air injection system.
    Figure 4-52.—PCV system.
    Exhaust gas Recirculation System
    Fuel Evaporation Control System
    Figure 4-54.—Fuel evaporization system.
    Fuel Evaporation Control System - Continued

Chapter 5 Diesel Fuel Systems

    Figure 5-1.—Comparison of sequence of events in diesel and gasoline four-cycle engines.
    Diesel Fuel Oil Grades
    Viscosity
    Open Combustion Chamber
    Turbulence Chamber
    Figure  5-5.—Spherical  chamber.
    Governors
    Types of Governors
    Figure 5-6.—Mechanical (centrifugal) governor.
    Hydraulic  Governors
    Electronic Governors
    Diesel Fuel System Components
    Water   Separators
    Methods of Injection
    Catterpillar Fuel Systems
    Figure 5-10.—Sleeve metering barrel and plunger assembly.
    Governor Action
    Automatic Timing Advance Unit
    Transfer Pump
    Distributor-Type Fuel Systems
    Figure 5-14.—Transfer pump.
    Figure 5-15.—Rotor in charge position.
    Injection Pump Accessories
    Governor
    Detroit Diesel Unit Injection Systems
    Figure 5-23.—Diagram of typical Detroit diesel fuel system.
    Fuel Pump
    Injectors
    Injector Timing
    Equalizing Injectors
    Governor
    Cummins Diesel Fuel Systems
    Figure 5-29.—Pressure-time (PT) gear pump.
    Injectors
    Celect System
    Figure 5-30.—Pressure-time injector operation.
    Celect System - Continued
    Celect System Operation
    Figure 5-31.—Metering and distributing fuel pump assembly-left sectional view.
    American Bosch Fuel Injection Systems
    Figure 5-33.—Fuel intake flow diagram.
    Types of Nozzles
    Figure 5-38.—Fuel density compensator.
    Superchargers and Turbochargers
    Figure 5-39.—Centrifugal supercharger.
    Turbochargers
    Turbo  Lag
    Cold Weather Starting
    Ether
    Diesel Fuel System Maintenance
    General Troubleshooting
    Quick Injector Misfire Check
    Quick Injector Misfire Check - Continued

Chapter 6 Cooling and Lubricating Systems

    Air-Cooled Systems
    Fan and Shroud
    Liquid-Cooled System
    Radiator
    Radiator Hoses
    Water Pump
    Fan and Shroud
    Figure  6-9.—Variable  pitch  fan.
    Water  Jacket
    Figure 6-11.—Pellet-type thermostat.
    Figure   6-12.—Blocking-bypass   thermostat.
    Expansion (Recovery) Tank
    Temperature Gauge and Warning Light
    Flushing the System
    Coolign Systems Tests
    Combustion Leak Test
    Service and Repair of Cooling System Components
    Hoses
    Radiator and Pressure Cap
    Engine Lubricating Systems
    Purposes of Lubrication
    Figure 6-19.—Sources of oil contamination.
    Lubricating (Oil) System Components
    Oil Level Gauge
    Figure 6-22.—Gear-type oil pump.
    Oil Pickup and Strainer
    Figure 6-24.—Oil filters.
    Figure 6-25.—Filter system configurations.
    Oil Pressure Warning Light
    Oil Temperature Regulator
    Types of Lubricating Systems
    Force Feed
    Lubricating System Problem Diagnosis
    Lubricating System Maintenance
    Pressure Relief Valve Service
    Pressure Relief Valve Service - Continued

Appendix I Glossary

    Appendix I - Continued
    Appendix I - Continued
    Appendix I - Continued
    Appendix I - Continued
    Appendix I - Continued
    Appendix I - Continued
    Appendix I - Continued
    Appendix I - Continued
    Appendix I - Continued
    Appendix I - Continued

Appendix II Answer Key

    Appendix II - Continued
    Appendix II - Continued
    Appendix II - Continued
    Appendix II - Continued

Appendix III - References Used to Develop This Traman

Index

    Index - Continued
    Index - Continued
    Index - Continued
..............
M❤K
    .::"A COMMON MAN WITH A COMMON THOUGHT'S !"::.

5:44 AM

UCL Evaluates Kinect Performance

...
University College of London published poster on Kinect depth accuracy evaluation:

"Performance Evaluation of the PrimeSense IR Projected Pattern Depth Sensor"
MSc Surveying
Daniel Binney
Jan Boehm (Supervisor)

This is the first systematic study of Primesense accuracy that I've seen in open sources. The depth resolution degrades with distance. It's 1.8mm at 0.5m, while at 3m it degrades to about 25mm. Note that Microsoft Kinect spec calls for 1.2m-3.5m range.


There is a circular hole observed in the PrimeSense point cloud where no depth data has been returned:

1:42 AM

Assorted News

...
TI introduced the DRV201 - industry's first auto focus voice coil driver with both pulse width modulation (PWM) and linear current regulation support. The 0.15mm-slim packaged chip features advanced ringing compensation resulting in fast lens settling time for faster focus – 10-mS settling time compared to 150 mS without ringing compensation.

Marketwire: Cadence announced new MIPI verification suits:
  • MIPI CSI-3: Providing an advanced processor-to-camera sensor interface.
  • MIPI Low Latency Interface (LLI): This interface cuts mobile device production cost by allowing DRAM memory sharing between multiple chips.

Marketwire: While we are at MIPI, Tektronix announced M-PHY testing solution based on the newly-ratified M-PHY v1.0 specification. Building on the industry's first M-PHY test offering introduced last September, Tektronix now offers mobile device hardware engineers a simple, integrated solution for M-PHY Transmitter and Receiver debug, validation and conformance testing needs. Developed in close cooperation with Synopsys and ST-Ericsson, the Tektronix "2-box" solution provides scope-integrated error detection for receiver tolerance testing and re-usability with a single set-up for both the M-PHY and lower-speed D-PHY(SM) specifications.

Toronto, Canada-based ISee3D announced the next step in its single-lens 3D imaging technology that cuts its 3D lens down to size and increases frame rates, for the first time making practical a range of applications and bringing 3D to more markets, such as consumer, automotive, industrial, and medical devices.

The advanced new technology dramatically reduces the thickness of the elements to fractions of a millimeter, making it possible to use the technology with a wider variety of lenses and reducing the space required. Now ISee3D technology fits for equipping webcams, microscopes, endoscopes, 4 and 5K cameras and consumer camcorders with 3D capabilities. In the field of endoscopy, the ability to capture 3D images through a smaller device enables less invasive surgeries, and a new ISee3D innovation in this field allows a 3D endoscope to produce as much or more light as a 2D device of the same size.

Click on picture to see the animated explanation of how it works:


8:44 AM

“NikkoIA voit tout.” (NikkoIA sees everything)

...
NikkoIA is selected among the “20 Top Start-ups” by the french national magazine l’Usine Nouvelle in its “Special Innovation” edition, following the results of the 2011 National Contest for the Creation of Innovative Companies organized by the French Ministry of Research in cooperation with OSEO.
12:28 AM

Digitimes: Kinect Sales Weaken

...
Digitimes reports that Newmax has dropped its Kinect camera module shipments in the second half of the year, according to the newspaper sources. Weak US and European economy is said to be the reason. With market demand for Kinect weaker than expected, Newmax's revenues in August dropped by 14.29%.
12:18 AM

poLight Article

...
Yole's i-Micronews magazine has artricle on poLight's TLens written by François Vieillard, the company's VP Marketing & Sales. The TLens benefits quoted are:

  • fast focusing allowing taking succession of pictures with different focus in few tens of ms.
  • low power. VCM requires in the range of 150 to 200 mW of power to focus, while TLens requires 5 mW.
  • small size. Able to fit AF into 6.5mm x 6.5mm camera module
8:25 AM

Ambarella Announces DSC Processor with 1080p60 Video, 16MP/30fps Stills and HDR Support

...
Ambarella announced availability of the A7L SoC for HD video enabled DSCs. The A7L supports full 1080p HD H.264 video at 60fps and can capture up to thirty 16MP still images per second. A7L features multi-frame high ISO image capture, HDR processing, lens distortion correction, hardware support for real-time panorama sweep photography, and 3D Motion Compensated Temporal Filtering (MCTF). The A7L is fabricated in 32nm process, and requires only a single 16-bit DDR3 DRAM.

“The A7L offers a unique combination of outstanding still image quality and full 1080p60 HD video for the next generation of hybrid digital still cameras,” said Fermi Wang, Ambarella CEO. “We believe the chip’s incredibly low power consumption will not only extend battery life but inspire innovation in new camera form factors.”

"The Digital Still Camera market is forecasted to grow to over 150 million units in 2012, as new models offer both high still image quality and full HD video,” said Chris Chute, Research Manager, Worldwide Digital Imaging Solutions and Services of IDC.

8:01 AM

Nikon Reveals Details of its V1/J1 Sensor

...
Imaging Resource published an interview with Masahiro Suzuki, General Manager R&D, Nikon Imaging devoted to the announcement of the new interchangeable lens Nikon 1 camera system. A significant part of this interview is devoted to its 1-inch 10.1MP image sensor based on 3.4um pixels. The sensor has 24 digital outputs, while it's not clear what is the full resolution frame rate.

Few interesting quotes:

On the 10MP resolution in relatively high-end product: "Our message will be that image resolution is not everything. We offer you additional value. The image quality from 10 megapixel sensor is excellent, good enough for the kind of use that consumers make of their pictures, even for quite big enlargements."

"We [Nikon] developed it; we engineered and developed this sensor inside Nikon. But for the production side, that is done by our partner."

"The major difference from the others is that this camera's image sensor has embedded phase detection AF, so that achieves very fast focusing."

Imaging Resource clarifies: "Nikon V1 and J1 both have a hybrid autofocus system that combines both phase-detection and contrast-detection modes. The operating mode is chosen automatically as appropriate to the shooting conditions, and a generous array of 73 phase detection AF points are available. Since there's no way to hook a separate autofocus sensor into the optical path in a mirrorless camera, Nikon has adopted a similar strategy to that used by Fujifilm in certain of its compact camera models last year. The phase detection autofocus points are placed on the image sensor itself, although it isn't currently clear how the focus points are spaced with regards to the surrounding photodiodes."
11:35 PM

ST Improves on Toshiba HDR Patent

...
ST patent application US20110221944 proposes linearity improvement on Toshiba double-exposure HDR idea based on 4T pixel with skimming and described in the patent US7586523 and in white paper here. ST says that Toshiba's idea suffers from a significant non-linearity around the long and short exposures connection point:


Toshiba patent calculates the final signal using the equation:

WDR=MAX(LS+SS×GA, SS×GA×R)

where LS and SS are samplings of the signals LPS and SPS, GA is a coefficient that may be equal to 1, and R=TL/TS is the ratio between the long integration TL and short integration TS times.

ST proposes not to reset floating diffusion node between the long and the short exposures. Together with the new signal calculation equation, this reduces the connection area non-linearity:


The proposed signal calculation equation is:

WDR=MAX(LS+SS+A×SS, R×SS)

where A is an optimization coefficient that may be equal to 0. The resulting improvement in linearity is shown on the graph:


12:18 AM

DSNU Explained

...
Albert Theuwissen published a new post in the "How to Measure..." series. The post is devoted to Dark Signal Non Uniformity (DSNU) measurements. I really enjoyed the clear and detailed explanations of the measurement procedures and possible caveats. I think once the new series would be completed, it certainly worth to publish in a handbook form.
5:08 AM

Column-Level ADCs Overview

...
Delft University repository published Jia Guo's MS thesis having a nice overview of column-level ADC architectures. While the thesis concentrates on DLL design, the overview is of general interest and covers many recent advances:

"DLL Based Single Slope ADC For CMOS Image Sensor Column Readout"
Jia Guo MS Thesis
12:12 PM

Image Sensors at Electronic Imaging 2012

...
As AT mentioned in the other post comments, the program of Electronic Imaging 2012 conference has already been published. As always, there is a lot of image sensor stuff there, too much to publish it in full.

Some interesting tidbits from the papers:

  • CMOSIS presents VGA 600fps sensor with global shutter (8298-1)
  • Anafocus presents 5.2MP 250fps with HDR and "embedded intelligence" (Paper 8298-2)
  • NHK, Japan Broadcasting Corp. and Kinki Univ. present 300K-pixel 2Mfps camera. (Paper 8298-22)
  • MIT and Simon Fraser Univ. experimental measurements of various CCDs and CMOS sensors defect density revealed that at 7um pixels the CCD defect rate is ~2.5 greater than for CMOS, but for 2um pixels the rates are equal. (Paper 8298-12)
  • Portland State Univ. explained why some CCD's dark current behave nonlinearly with respect to exposure time and additionally the dark current is affected by the presence of illumination [ISW - some CMOS sensors have similar dark current behavior for similar reasons]. (Paper 8298-13)
  • Tohoku Univ. presents how to use atomically flat Si surface to create PD with nearly 100% internal QE in UV light. (Paper 8298-18)
  • Fraunhofer Institute and Ulm Univ. present multi-aperture camera approach allowing digital focusing and refocusing from 4mm to infinity after the image was taken. (Paper 8299-6)
5:44 AM

MMD LIST OF HOLIDAYS

...
S.No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
HOLIDAY
 Pongal
 Republic Day
 Prophet Mohds Birthday(id-e-Milad)
 Mahaveer Jayanthi
 Good Friday
 Budha Purnima
 Independence Day
 Janmashtami
 Ramzan (Idu'I Fitr)
 Vinayaka Chaturthi
 Mahatma Gandhi'S Birthday
 Dussehra (Vijaya Dasami)
 Deepavali
 Bakrid (idu'I Zuha)
 Guru Nanak's Birthday
 Muharram
 Christmas
MONTH & DATE
 January, 15
 January, 26
 February, 16
 April,16
 April, 22
 May, 17
 August, 15
 August, 22
 August, 31
 September, 01
 October, 02
 October, 06
 October, 26
 November, 07
 November, 10
 December, 06
 December, 25
DAY
 Saturday
 Wednesday
 Wednesday
 Saturday
Friday
 Tuesday
 Monday
 Monday
Wednesday
 Thursday
 Sunday
 Thursday
 wednesday
 Monday
 Thursday
 Tuesday
 Sunday


MMD MUMBAI LIST OF HOILDAYS
1 MAKARSANKRANTI, PONGAL15/01/2011 SATURDAY
2REPUBLIC DAY 26/01/2011WEDNESDAY
3PROPHET MOHAMMAD'S BIRTHDAY (ID-E-MILAD) 16/02/2011WEDNESDAY
4 CHANTRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ JAYANTI19/02/2011 SATURDAY
5 GUDI PADWA04/04/2011MONDAY
6MAHAVIR JAYANTI 16/04/2011SATURDAY
7 GOOD FRIDAY22/04/2011 FRIDAY
8BUDHA PURNIMA 17/05/2011TUESDAY
9RAKSHA BANDHAN13/08/2011 SATURDAY
10 INDEPENDENCE DAY15/08/2011MONDAY
11JANMASHTAMI 22/08/2011MONDAY
12 IDU'L FIRT31/08/2011 WEDNESDAY
13GANESH CHATURTHI/ VINAYAK CHATURTHI 01/09/2011THURSDAY
14JAMAT-UL-VIDA10/09/2011 SATURDAY
15 MAHATMA GANDHI'S BIRTHDAY02/10/2011 SUNDAY
16DUSSEHRA (VIJAY DASHMI) 06/10/2011THURSDAY
17KIPPUR-EVE(JEW)08/10/2011 SATURDAY
18 MAHARSHI VALMIKI'S BIRTHDAY22/10/2011 SATURDAY
19DIWALI (DEEPAVALI) 26/10/2011WEDNESDAY
20IDU'L ZUHA07/11/2011 MONDAY
21 GURU NANAK'S BIRTHDAY10/11/2011 THURSDAY
22MUHARRAM 06/12/2011TUESDAY
23CHRISTMAS (EVE)24/12/2011 SATURDAY
24 CHRISTMAS DAY25/12/2011SUNDAY
25BOXING DAY 26/12/2011MONDAY

..............
M❤K
    .::"A COMMON MAN WITH A COMMON THOUGHT'S !"::.
Tags: List of hoildays of mmd, mmd holidays

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