Sony ships 5MP SWIR sensor for industrial equipment
Cette publication existe aussi en Français
Sony Semiconductor Solutions (SSS) is launching a short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) image sensor for industrial designs with 5.32 effective megapixels.
The IMX992 sensor uses SSS’s proprietary Cu-Cu connection to achieve the industry’s smallest pixel size of 3.45 μm among InGaAs SWIR image sensors. It also uses an optimized pixel structure for efficiently capturing light, enabling high-definition imaging across a broad spectrum ranging from the visible to invisible short-wavelength infrared regions from 0.4 to 1.7 μm.
Industrial equipment has seen increasing demand for improving productivity and preventing defective products from leaving the plant and SWIR is increasingly important for this. The sensors support seamless wide spectrum imaging in the visible to invisible short-wavelength infrared range using a single camera and are already being used in various processes such as semiconductor wafer bonding and defect inspection, as well as ingredient and contaminant inspections in food production.
- Sensor combines megapixel visible and SWIR images
- First event-driven SWIR and optical sensor
- CMOS-like InGaAs image sensor captures both visible and SWIR
The sensor enables imaging with higher resolution using pixel miniaturization, while enhancing imaging performance in low-light environments to provide higher quality imaging in inspection and monitoring applications conducted in darker conditions.
The SWIR image sensor uses a thinner indium-phosphorous (InP) layer on top, which would otherwise inevitably absorb visible light, thereby allowing visible light to reach the indium-gallium arsenide (InGaAs) layer underneath, delivering high quantum efficiency even in the visible wavelength.
The Cu-Cu connection between the indium-gallium arsenide (InGaAs) layer that forms the photodiode of the light receiving unit and the silicon (Si) layer that forms the readout circuit allows for a smaller pixel pitch to reduce the form factor. The higher pixel count enables detection of tiny objects or imaging across a wide range, contributing to significantly improved recognition and measurement precision in various inspections using short-wavelength infrared light.
Low-noise imaging even in dark locations possible by switching the shooting mode
Inclusion of new shooting modes enables low-noise imaging without being affected by environmental brightness. In dark environments with limited light.
A High Conversion Gain (HCG) mode directly amplifies the signal with minimal noise after being converted to an electrical signal from light, thereby relatively reducing the amount of noise downstream. This minimizes the impact of noise in dark locations, leading to greater recognition precision. In bright environments with plenty of light, Low Conversion Gain (LCG) mode enables imaging prioritizing the dynamic range.
Enabling Dual Read Rolling Shutter (DRRS) outputs images from the sensor in two distinct types. These images are then composited on the camera to acquire an image with significantly reduced noise.
Sony is also planning a sensor with a pixel size of 3.45 μm and an effective pixel count of 3.21 megapixels to further expand its SWIR image sensor lineup with the IMX993. Both are encased in a ceramic LGA package with thermoelectric cooling and will ship in February 2024.
www.sony-semicon.com/en/products/is/industry/swir/imx992-993.html
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
