ST builds world’s largest cinema image sensor
Cette publication existe aussi en Français
STMicroelectronics has created the world’s largest sensor with 316Mpixels for an ultra high resolution cinema system.
The custom 18K resolution image sensor custom was developed by ST for Big Sky for the world’s most advanced camera system and is used to capture ultra-high-resolution content for Sphere in Las Vegas.
To capture content for the 160,000 sq. ft., 16K x 16K LED display, the Big Sky camera system (below) was designed by the team at Sphere Studios. The 18K sensor capable of capturing images at the scale and fidelity necessary for Sphere’s display and is the world’s largest cinema camera sensor in commercial use.
The 316 megapixel sensor, produced in Crolles, France. is almost 7x larger and 40x higher resolution than the full-frame sensors found in high-end commercial cameras. The die, which measures 9.92cm x 8.31cm (82.4 cm2) and only four full die fit on a 300mm wafer (shown above). The system is also capable of capturing images at 120 fps and transferring data at 60 gigabytes per second.
Big Sky also allows filmmakers to capture large-format images from a single camera without having to stitch content together from multiple cameras. This avoids issues common to stitching including near distance limitations and seams between images. Ten patents and counting have been filed by Sphere Studios in association with the Big Sky technology.
- First 200MP adaptive image sensor
- 108Mpixel smartphone image sensor delivers over 100 million effective pixels
“ST has been on the cutting edge of imaging technology, IP, and tools to create unique solutions with advanced features and performance for almost 25 years,” said Alexandre Balmefrezol, Executive Vice President and Imaging Sub-Group General Manager, STMicroelectronics. “Building a custom sensor of this size, resolution, and speed, with low noise, high dynamic range, and seemingly impossible yield requirements, presented a truly novel challenge for ST – one that we successfully met from the very first wafer out of our 12” (300mm) wafer fab in Crolles, France.”
The Big Sky camera developed by Sphere Studios
“Big Sky significantly advances cinematic camera technology, with each element representing a leap in design and manufacturing innovation,” said Deanan DaSilva, lead architect of Big Sky at Sphere Studios.
“The sensor on any camera is critical to image quality, but given the size and resolution of Sphere’s display, Big Sky’s sensor had to go beyond any existing capability. ST, working closely with Sphere Studios, leveraged their extensive expertise to manufacture a groundbreaking sensor that not only expands the possibilities for immersive content at Sphere, but also across the entertainment industry.”
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
