Spark4K leverages the QuantumFilm technology platform’s combination of higher sensitivity with electronic global shutter to minimize power consumption while overcoming the glare of ambient infrared in sunlight. The photosensitivity of NIR-optimized QuantumFilm is sad to be 5x higher than conventional silicon at 940nm wavelength, allowing the Spark4K pixel to deliver 35% quantum efficiency. Spark4K can accurately detect a brighter but shorter LED pulse that instantaneously outshines ambient infrared light to help devices navigate and learn about their environments more accurately in pitch darkness or in direct sunlight. In addition, by pulsing the LED in sync with Spark4K’s global shutter, systems reduce battery consumption dramatically, enabling more compact, lighter weight product designs. The applications include drones, self-driving vehicles, and augmented reality devices that will benefit from Spark4K’s extended range and power savings.
“After the recent launch of our 2-megapixel NIR sensor SparkP2, we’re excited to expand our IR product portfolio with a higher resolution infrared camera sensor,” said Jess Lee, InVisage President and CEO. “As machine vision enters the mass consumer market of phones, drones, cars and AR headsets, the demands are clear. Small-footprint, high-resolution infrared cameras that perform invisibly indoors and outdoors are a must. By pairing higher sensitivity with a short pulse 940-nanometer source, our Spark products easily save 50 times on power compared to a conventional camera while overpowering sun irradiance.”
InVisage’s Spark line of NIR cameras is optimized for depth sensing, 3-D mapping, compositional analysis, authentication, and gesture tracking. Spark4K also features dynamic pixel sizing for lower resolution, high sensitivity security applications. Light captured from adjacent 1.1um pixels can be combined to maximize sensitivity and readout speed according to the demands of a specific application. In practice, this allows for an optional 3MP sensor mode with four times greater sensitivity in low light or long-range scenarios.
Spark4K is sampling in June 2016 with mass production scheduled by Q4 2016.
