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Sensor boosts image quality in lowest-light conditions

Sensor boosts image quality in lowest-light conditions

New Products |
By Christoph Hammerschmidt



Interline Transfer Electron Multiplication CCD (IT-EMCCD) image sensors gain options that target not only low-light industrial applications such as medical and scientific imaging, but also commercial and military applications for high-end surveillance.

 

The 4 megapixel KAE-04471 uses larger 7.4 micron pixels than those found in existing IT-EMCCD devices, doubling the light gathering capability of the new device and improving image quality under light-starved conditions. The KAE-04471 is pin and package compatible with the existing 8 megapixel KAE-08151, allowing camera manufacturers to employ existing camera designs to support the new device.

 

The new KAE-02152 shares the same 1080p resolution and 2/3 in. optical format as the existing KAE-02150, but incorporates an enhanced pixel design that increases sensitivity in near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths – useful in surveillance, microscopy, and ophthalmology. The KAE-02152 is drop-in compatible with the existing KAE-02150, and both devices are available in packages that incorporate an integrated thermoelectric cooler, simplifying the work required by camera manufacturers to develop a cooled camera design.

 

ON says that these additions contribute to a variety of resolutions, pixel sizes, sensitivities, colour configurations, and packaging options in the IT-EMCCD portfolio to meet low-light imaging needs.

 

Engineering grade versions of the KAE-04471 are available, with production versions available in 2Q17. Engineering grade versions of the KAE-02152 in both a standard package as well as a package incorporating an integrated thermoelectric cooler are also available, with production versions of both configurations available in 3Q17. All IT-EMCCD devices ship in ceramic micro-PGA packages, and are available in both Monochrome and Bayer Colour configurations. Evaluation kits are available.

 

ON Semi; www.onsemi.com

 

next page; the IT-EMCCD device…


ON Semi adds; Interline Transfer EMCCD devices combine two established imaging technologies with a unique output structure to enable a new class of low-noise, high-dynamic range imaging. While Interline Transfer CCDs provide excellent image quality and uniformity with a highly efficient electronic shutter, this technology is not always ideal for very low-light imaging. And while EMCCD image sensors excel under low-light conditions, they historically have only been available as low resolution devices with limited dynamic range. Combining these technologies allows the low-noise architecture of EMCCD to be extended to multi-megapixel resolutions, and an innovative output design allows both standard CCD (normal-gain) and EMCCD (high-gain) outputs to be utilised for a single image capture – extending dynamic range and scene detection from sunlight to starlight in a single image.

 

 

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