17.42Mpixel CMOS image sensor targets automated driving
Sony Semiconductor Solutions has developed an image sensor with over 17M pixels for emerging automated driving cameras.
The IMX735 has 17.42 effective megapixels and a13.70mm diagonal for more sophisticated sensing and recognition performance with a horizontal pixel readout to more easily synchronise with LiDAR laser systems.
For automated systems to deliver automated driving, they must offer sophisticated, high-precision sensing and recognition performance, encompassing all 360 degrees of the environment around the vehicle says Sony. This is driving considerable demand for image sensors with high-definition capture of far-off objects allowing better detection of road conditions, vehicles, pedestrians and other objects. Early detection of far-away objects while driving helps make automated driving systems safer.
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While typical CMOS image sensors readout signals output from pixels one vertical line at a time, the sensor outputs signals horizontally, one row at a time. This means that automotive cameras employing this sensor can more easily synchronize with mechanical scanning LiDAR*4, since their laser beams also scan horizontally. This better synchronization will improve the sensing and recognition capabilities of the automated driving system as a whole.
A new pixel structure provides improved saturation illuminance with a new exposure method yield a wide dynamic range of 106 dB even when simultaneously employing high dynamic range (HDR) imaging and LED flicker mitigation. The dynamic range is even higher, at 130 dB, when using dynamic range priority mode. This helps suppress highlight blowouts even in backlit conditions, enabling more precise object capture in road environments with significant differences in brightness, such as tunnel entrances and exits.
The wide dynamic range even during simultaneous use of HDR and LED flicker mitigation
In automobile driving, objects must be precisely detected and recognized even in road environments with significant differences in brightness, such as tunnel entrances and exits.
Automotive cameras are also required to suppress LED flicker, even while in HDR mode, to deal with the increasing prevalence of LED signals and other traffic devices. The proprietary pixel structure and unique exposure method of this product improves saturation illuminance, yielding a wide dynamic range of 106 dB even when simultaneously employing HDR and LED flicker mitigation, and using dynamic range priority mode the range is 130 dB). This design also helps reduce motion artifacts generated when capturing moving subjects.
The product is qualified for AEC-Q100 Grade 2 automotive electronic component reliability tests by mass production. Also, SSS has introduced a development process compliant with the ISO 26262 road vehicle functional safety standard, at automotive safety integrity level ASIL-B(D). This contributes to improve automotive camera system reliability
The product can support cybersecurity features such as camera authentication via a public-key algorithm to confirm CMOS image sensor authenticity, image authentication to detect any tampering with acquired images, and communication authentication to detect any tampering with control communications.
It has a MIPI CSI-2 serial output (4 lane / 2 lane) and is packaged in a 236-pin plastic BGA measuring 14.54 mm × 17.34 mm.
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