Pixpolar Image Sensor Simulator

...
Pixpolar announces an image sensor simulator. The intention of the simulator is to show the company's non-destructive CDS readout, but it can be used for other purposes as well. Number of photons per pixel can be set in histogram widget. Readout noise, dark current and exposure time can be set in the main settings window. The simulator works as an on-line application.

Thanks to JS for the link!
9:03 AM

Scalado Presents Objects Removal Technology

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Scalado announces its Remove technology that automatically highlights and removes any unwanted object from a captured photo. It is said to be the world’s first Object removal software to be released on a mobile device. A Youtube video shows how it works:



Another nice example from Scalado press kit:


Thanks to JS for the link!
8:52 AM

Omnivision CameraCube Reverse Engineered

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Yole Developpement's February 2012 Issue of 3D Packaging Magazine has a nice reverse engineering analysis of Omnivision's OVM7692, a VGA CameraCube:


The optics side of the CameraCube was identified as made by Visera, while the Wafer Scale Package side is by Xintec:


Here is how the module cost is divided between the parties, according to Yole:


Much many interesting pictures are in the article itself.
11:21 PM

Imaging at Photonics West 2012

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Optics.org published a review of Photonics West 2012 with emphasis on image technologies. It appears that InGaAs NIR/SWIR sensors are becoming a popular category at the exhibition: FLIR, Hamamatsu and Sensors Unlimited presented their InGaAs products.
10:53 AM

Omnivision Announces 1/9-inch 720p OmniBSI+ Video Sensor

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PR Newswire: OmniVision introduces the 1/9-inch OV9724 sensor offering 720p/30fps video in a miniaturized form factor. Developed specifically for highly compact designs, the new CameraChip sensor is based on 1.4um OmniBSI+ pixel to enable camera modules of less than 2.5 mm in height. This allows HD cameras to be integrated into ultra-slim, narrow-bezel devices, such as next-generation smartphones, notebooks, tablets, portable gaming systems and other mobile devices.

Additionally, OmniVision introduced the OVM9724, which corresponds to the OV9724, packaged in CameraCube format. The OVM9724 offers an easy-to-integrate, cost-effective camera solution for even thinner bezel notebook and tablet designs.

The OV9724 comes with a one-lane MIPI interface and fits into a 6 mm x 4.5 mm x 2.5 mm module size. It is currently available for sampling and is expected to go into volume production in Q2 2012. The OVM9724 comes in a 4 mm x 3 mm x 2.5 mm CameraCube module and is expected to start sampling early in Q2 2012.
5:27 AM

Himax Reports Quarterly and Yearly Results

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Himax says in its Q4 2011 earnings call: "CMOS image sensor, while in its first year of commercial shipment, already accounted for a significant portion of our non-driver sales last year. We currently offer 3 mega pixel, 2 mega pixel, 1.3 mega pixel, HD, VGA and qVGA products, focusing on handset, laptop and tablet applications. We plan to release new sensor products this year to further strengthen our product portfolio and to penetrate into new markets such as TV Cam, PC Cam, drive recorder, surveillance and automotive applications. CMOS image sensor is and will continue to be a fastgrowing area for us. While we are a new comer to the market, our sensors have been highly praised by many to have outperformed those offered by the incumbent players in terms of image quality. Consequently we have numerous design-wins from customers ranging from camera module makers, contract manufacturers to system integrators with world leading brand names. 2011 was the year when we put our name clearly in the map. We are confident that 2012 will be a year of strong sales growth in this product area."

Unfortunately, no numbers on image sensor business was released. However, revenues from Himax’s non-driver businesses, which include CMOS image sensors and wafer optics, LCOS micro image projectors, touch panel controllers and timing controllers combined were $21.7M or 12.8% of the company's total revenues in Q4 2011.
11:14 AM

PRNU and FPN Measurement

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Albert Theuwissen published the next article in his excellent "How to Measure..." series. This one talks about PRNU and FPN, explaining the difference between the two.
11:04 AM

NIT Presents Stereo WDR Camera

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New Imaging Technology introduces a stereoscopic camera reference design based upon its global shutter HDR sensor NSC1001 with DR of more than 140dB. The reference design is intended for robotic and automotive applications.

Youtube video shows the camera capabilities:

9:44 PM

Basler on Machine Vision Camera Trends

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Basler presents the trends in industrial and machine vision cameras - mainly transistion from CCD to CMOS, frog GigE to USB3, and lowering prices. Pdf file is here, Youtube video is below:

11:22 PM

Gesture Recognition News

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Image Sensors 1012 site published Q&A session with Daniël Van Nieuwenhove, SoftKinetic's CTO. Some quotes:

Q: Will we eventually see this replace all other forms of user interfacing?

A: Replacing all forms of user interfacing it will definitely not. We are convinced the technology will disrupt some established user interfaces, and in many cases will enrich the currently used approaches. We also see user interactions emerging, where previously there were none: digital signage is a good example of such a market.

Q: From a technical standpoint, what are your main challenges in developing this technology further?

A: The technology has a huge potential, but is young and a rough diamond today, and therefore contains plenty of challenges. We have the different aspects of the end-to-end solution combined in Softkinetic, going from sensor to camera production to middleware and application development. This represents huge opportunities, but also huge challenges. One of our main advantages, but also challenges, is optimizing and integrating this whole chain optimally in the different platforms such as TV and PC. The most bizarre one is probably the challenge to remain focused and, amongst the large amount of options, direct the technology where it merits the most.

EETimes-Europe: Meanwhile Continental AG demos gesture control in its concept car at Chicago Auto Show these days.
12:24 PM

Heliotis Presents its 3D Vision Camera with Micron Resolution

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This Youtube video shows Heliotis presentation of its 3D camera for industrial applications with micron resolution, delivered by Christian Lotto. The camera features Heliotis smart-pixel custom designed sensor with 300x300 resolution and 5000 fps speed. Each pixel provides quadrature demodulation of interferometric pattern, envelope extraction, low-pass filtering and downsampling - sort of lock-in amplifier in each pixel.



The pdf version of the presentation is available here.
10:44 PM

More Market Data from iSuppli

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iSuppli published more market data from its latest Q1 2012 report:

Shipments last year of CMOS sensors accounted for 92% of all area image sensors—an overwhelming share that translated into some 2.1 billion units, up 31% from 1.6 billion in 2010.

With the remaining 8 percent of the market, CCD sensor shipments in 2011 fell to 180.3 million units, down 2% from 184.5 million in 2010. In 2010, the CMOS share of the sensor market was 90% vs. 10% for CCD.

The pattern of CMOS dominance will continue through the years in the face of CCD’s irreversible decline. By 2015, CMOS shipments will amount to 3.6 billion units or 97% market share, compared to CCD shipments of just 95.2 million, or 3%, as shown in the figure below:


Markets:

Mobile handsets remain the dominant application for CMOS sensors, representing 79% of total CMOS shipments in 2011. Videoconferencing is the second-biggest application market in terms of CMOS shipments, due to the inclusion of cameras in notebook computers. CMOS sensors also found increasing use in two growing markets—the security space through network video surveillance systems; and in automotive systems through the use of back-up cameras and in such applications as lane-departure warning, blind-spot detection and infrared night vision.

In comparison, CCDs are finding acceptance in the industrial markets and in digital still cameras. But even here, CCD use is declining. Among high-end DSLRs, for instance, CCD use will shrink from 12% in 2011 to just 1% by 2014. And because the camera space is weakening as a whole while consumers gravitate toward smartphones, overall CCD consumption will decline further, IHS believes.

BSI Adoption:

Even though BSI cost approximately 20% more than FSI in 2011, the superior BSI sensor will continue to make inroads into phones. Projected to be in 56% of smartphones and higher-end feature handset camera phones during 2012, BSI sensors will be present in 92% of the same class of handsets by 2015 as prices come down.

Top Players:

Among companies competing in the space, Sony, was the top player for overall image sensors during the Q4 2012 2011, followed by OmniVision, Aptina, Sharp and Samsung.
12:02 PM

Sigma Cameras Named in Honor of Foveon Innovator

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Business Wire: Sigma announced the new Merrill series of digital cameras with the introduction of the DP1 Merrill and DP2 Merrill. The Merrill series is named in honor of Richard “Dick” Merrill, the co-creator of the Foveon X3 technology that powers Sigma’s lineup of cameras.

Merrill (1949-2008) was a brilliant engineer, talented photographer and Foveon co-founder. "This revolutionary image capture system reflects both the artistic and technological sides of Merrill’s personality," said Kazuto Yamaki, CEO of Sigma Corporation. "As an expression of Sigma’s passion for photography and in honor of Dick Merrill’s genius, we have named the latest generation of the Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor the Foveon Merrill."

Sigma blog post re-captures the Foveon and Dick's Merrill history. Shri Ramaswami, General Manager of Foveon, recalls Dick Merrill as a man of vision and passion: "Dick had an excellent grasp of semiconductor technology, combined that with a newly ignited passion for imaging and built an entirely new, breakthrough imaging system. He took a personal stake in making Foveon X3 image sensor technology a reality, seeing an opportunity to make something truly unique and special. He possessed a rare combination of passion and genius that drove him to move from theory, to prototype, to product."
8:27 AM

Panasonic to Strengthen Image Sensor Operations

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Mainichi: Panasonic, Fujitsu and Renesas have begun talks to merge their system chip operations, according to the newspapers sources. The parties are aiming to reach a basic agreement at the end of March, with a view to setting up the new company at the end of the business year through March 2013.

Panasonic is also reported to independently strengthen its image sensor operations. It's not clear if this business is a part of the discussed merge.
8:18 AM

How to control Stepper Motor using ULN2003 and 8051 Microcontroller (AT89C51)

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Stepper Motor Control with 8051 Microcontroller using ULN2003This project is an extension to two-phase Unipolar Stepper motor interfacing with AT89C51. In the previous project, transistor switches were used to interface the stepper motor with the microcontroller. Here the transistors have been replaced by using a ULN2003 IC to drive the stepper with 8051 microcontroller.


DESCRIBTION(click here)
  • As explained in earlier article, Stepper motor is operated by energizing the stator coils in an ordered sequence. When the input sequence of signal is applied to the motor leads, it starts rotating in steps.
    AT89C51 microcontroller has a current rating of 50mA. It can neither source nor sink huge current. ULN2003 is high voltage and high current Darlington array IC. Each input-output pair in ULN2003 acts as an interface between the end points of the stepper motor and port pins of the microcontroller.
    Port P2 of AT89C51 is configured as the output port to provide input sequence to four input pins of ULN2003. The output of ULN2003 accordingly helps in driving the motor.
    To work with the unipolar stepper motor, the common points are connected to either Ground or Vcc and the end points of both the phases are usually connected through the port pins of a microcontroller. In present case the common (Green) wires are connected to Vcc. The end points receive the control signals as per the controller's output in a particular sequence to drive the motor.
CODE(click here)


  • // Program to control Stepper Motor with AT89C51 using ULN2003

    /**** Wave Drive Stepping ****/

    #include<reg51.h>

    sfr stepper=0xA0;



    void delay(unsigned int count)

    {

    int i;

    for(i=0;i<count;i++);

    }



    void main()

    {

    while(1)

    {

    stepper=0x01;

    delay(350);

    stepper=0x02;

    delay(350);

    stepper=0x04;

    delay(350);

    stepper=0x08;

    delay(350);

    }

    }

    /*****************************/



    /**** Half Drive Stepping ****/

    #include<reg51.h>

    sfr stepper=0xA0;



    void delay(unsigned int count)

    {

    int i;

    for(i=0;i<count;i++);

    }



    void main()

    {

    while(1)

    {

    stepper=0x01;

    delay(300);

    stepper=0x03;

    delay(300);

    stepper=0x02;

    delay(300);

    stepper=0x06;

    delay(300);

    stepper=0x04;

    delay(300);

    stepper=0x0C;

    delay(300);

    stepper=0x08;

    delay(300);

    stepper=0x09;

    delay(300);

    }

    }

    /*****************************/


COMPONENTS(click here)
  • AT89C51 Microcontroller
    ULN2003
7:50 AM