Crosslight published a two-part video tutorial on how to use its TCAD simulator to simulate pixel (links to part 1 and part 2):
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Rambus Binary Pixel Patent Applications
WIPO published two Rambus PCT applications talking about its Binary Pixel idea:
WO2013070932 Conditional-Reset, Temporally Oversampled Image Sensor (111 pages)
by VOGELSANG Thomas, STORK David Geoffrey, LINSTADT John Eric, HARRIS James
WO2013070942 Image Sensor Sampled at Non-Uniform Intervals (74 pages)
by VOGELSANG Thomas, STORK David Geoffrey, SHEN Jie, WANG Yueyong, ALEKSIC Marko
The applications are huge and describe a lot of different pixel versions. Here are few quotes and figures giving just a taste of the Rambus' ideas:
"In various digital image sensor embodiments disclosed herein, numerous sub-diffraction-limit (SDL) pixels are clustered about an embedded sense amplifier and sensed with respect to a binary threshold to yield a collection of single-bit pixel values that can be combined to form the output of an image pixel. Because integrated-circuit (IC) process geometries permit pixel sizes below the diffraction limit of visible light, a photon striking within a SDL cluster of such "binary" pixels may activate (i.e., be detected by and exceed the threshold of) one binary pixel but not others illuminated by the same blurred source, thus decreasing the number of non-activated pixels available to detect subsequent photons from the source. Consequently, when exposed to a stationary photon flux, the rate of pixel activation slows as the exposure interval transpires (i.e., due to photons striking activated pixels), thereby yielding a logarithmic rather than linear sensitivity profile and thus a potentially much higher dynamic range than achieved through prior-art techniques (in other embodiments disclosed herein this behavior is modified while still improving dynamic range). Further, because the pixels can be scaled with decreasing process geometries, pixel densities can increase freely with process improvement, thus overcoming physical impediments faced by conventional architectures and enabling dramatically higher performance in future generations of imaging devices."
"Although theorized, hardware implementations of SDL pixels have long been deemed impractical in part because their small output voltage falls well below the noise floor imposed by the relatively long, high-capacitance path (i.e., bit line) to sense circuitry at the edge of the array. By embedding sense amplifiers within respective clusters of SDL pixels, however, and sampling the pixels as digital rather than analog data sources (i.e., sampling the pixels with respect to a binary threshold and thus as binary pixels), such noise impediments can be overcome, enabling construction of image sensors having pixel densities that scale with process improvements and superlative dynamic range."
WO2013070932 Conditional-Reset, Temporally Oversampled Image Sensor (111 pages)
by VOGELSANG Thomas, STORK David Geoffrey, LINSTADT John Eric, HARRIS James
WO2013070942 Image Sensor Sampled at Non-Uniform Intervals (74 pages)
by VOGELSANG Thomas, STORK David Geoffrey, SHEN Jie, WANG Yueyong, ALEKSIC Marko
The applications are huge and describe a lot of different pixel versions. Here are few quotes and figures giving just a taste of the Rambus' ideas:
"In various digital image sensor embodiments disclosed herein, numerous sub-diffraction-limit (SDL) pixels are clustered about an embedded sense amplifier and sensed with respect to a binary threshold to yield a collection of single-bit pixel values that can be combined to form the output of an image pixel. Because integrated-circuit (IC) process geometries permit pixel sizes below the diffraction limit of visible light, a photon striking within a SDL cluster of such "binary" pixels may activate (i.e., be detected by and exceed the threshold of) one binary pixel but not others illuminated by the same blurred source, thus decreasing the number of non-activated pixels available to detect subsequent photons from the source. Consequently, when exposed to a stationary photon flux, the rate of pixel activation slows as the exposure interval transpires (i.e., due to photons striking activated pixels), thereby yielding a logarithmic rather than linear sensitivity profile and thus a potentially much higher dynamic range than achieved through prior-art techniques (in other embodiments disclosed herein this behavior is modified while still improving dynamic range). Further, because the pixels can be scaled with decreasing process geometries, pixel densities can increase freely with process improvement, thus overcoming physical impediments faced by conventional architectures and enabling dramatically higher performance in future generations of imaging devices."
"Although theorized, hardware implementations of SDL pixels have long been deemed impractical in part because their small output voltage falls well below the noise floor imposed by the relatively long, high-capacitance path (i.e., bit line) to sense circuitry at the edge of the array. By embedding sense amplifiers within respective clusters of SDL pixels, however, and sampling the pixels as digital rather than analog data sources (i.e., sampling the pixels with respect to a binary threshold and thus as binary pixels), such noise impediments can be overcome, enabling construction of image sensors having pixel densities that scale with process improvements and superlative dynamic range."
Friday, May 17, 2013
Google WebP Stills and WebM VP9 Video Compression
VP9 open-source video codec and WebP still video compression formats were presented at Google I/O conference. VP9 is said to provide a compression ratio similar to the new H.265, but is royalty-free open source format. WebP format is said to produce 30% smaller size files than JPEG at comparable quality. A Youtube video below shows the official Google I/O presentation of WebM/VP9:
This is Google WebP video presentation from March 2013:
This is Google WebP video presentation from March 2013:
High-End Camera Modules in Tight Supply in China
Digitimes reports that supply of high-end camera modules in China has been tight since the beginning of 2013 due to strong demand from smartphones vendors including Apple, HTC, and others in Korea and Japan, according to the newspaper sources.
How to Measure Non-Linearity, Part 4
Albert Theuwissen published a continuation post comparing the non-linearity of individual pixels with average non-linearity of a pixel array.
SMIC Declared World's Second Largest CIS Foundry
Seeking Alpha's transcript of SMIC JPMorgan TMT Conference 2013 quotes the company's CEO Tzu-Yin Chiu saying:
"...area that we have to point out in the past is, for example, the CIS; CMOS Image Sensors. SMIC already is the second largest CIS foundry in the world. Some of our customers, they have about 60% to 70% of market share in the feature phone. We are doing further investment in this area so that we can move from the feature phone CMOS Image Sensor into the high end 5 megapixel and 8 megapixel. So, we have recently, okay, last year, we have announced successful demonstration of our back sight illumination that is a technology in conjunction with the CIS to move into the high CMOS Image Sensor."
From the presentation:
"...area that we have to point out in the past is, for example, the CIS; CMOS Image Sensors. SMIC already is the second largest CIS foundry in the world. Some of our customers, they have about 60% to 70% of market share in the feature phone. We are doing further investment in this area so that we can move from the feature phone CMOS Image Sensor into the high end 5 megapixel and 8 megapixel. So, we have recently, okay, last year, we have announced successful demonstration of our back sight illumination that is a technology in conjunction with the CIS to move into the high CMOS Image Sensor."
From the presentation:
Innovative Imaging Technologies Workshop
CEA-Leti is hosting its 2nd workshop on innovative imaging technologies at MINATEC, Grenoble, France on June 28, 2013. The 1-day workshop will feature invited presentations by leaders in imaging technology, including STMicroelectronics, Sofradir, ULIS, e2V, Trixell, Siemens, Schneider.
Thanks to AT for the link!
Thanks to AT for the link!
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Investor Asks Sony to Focus on Image Sensors
Daniel Loeb, CEO of Third Point LLC, the largest owner of Sony Corp. stock, published an open letter asking Sony to focus on few profitable areas, image sensors among them:
"Sony Electronics’ many strong businesses, led by dedicated employees, are similarly obscured today by a lack of Focus. For example, Sony’s Image Sensor business is large, rapidly growing, and profitable, but its contribution is masked by loss-making legacy semiconductor businesses. We see clear paths to increasing Sony Electronics’ value if investors turn their attention to its profitable franchises and product cycles as management continues to streamline Sony’s product offerings to improve profitability. These initiatives will benefit from the capital investment made possible by our proposed Sony Entertainment transaction."
The letter is discussed by Financial Times, The Motley Fool, Bloomberg, Reuters, and other major business news sources.
"Sony Electronics’ many strong businesses, led by dedicated employees, are similarly obscured today by a lack of Focus. For example, Sony’s Image Sensor business is large, rapidly growing, and profitable, but its contribution is masked by loss-making legacy semiconductor businesses. We see clear paths to increasing Sony Electronics’ value if investors turn their attention to its profitable franchises and product cycles as management continues to streamline Sony’s product offerings to improve profitability. These initiatives will benefit from the capital investment made possible by our proposed Sony Entertainment transaction."
The letter is discussed by Financial Times, The Motley Fool, Bloomberg, Reuters, and other major business news sources.
Adimec Compares Bayer with 3-Sensor Cameras
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
High Resolution Front Camera: Trend or Gimmick?
High resolution camera phones start to arrive to Chinese market. GizChina.com reports about MeituKiss phone aimed to ladies and having both front and back cameras of 8MP resolution, both made by Sony. Ladies are said to be using the front camera as a pocket mirror.
Engadget reports about another local brand phone - Oppo Ulike 2 featuring 5MP front camera. Intomobile says that Oppo plans to release 8MP front camera phone this September. A Thailand-based mobile phone manufacturer i-mobile published specs of its new IQ X and IQ XA smartphones featuring 8MP front cameras (Engadget).
Another Chinese manufacturer, Zopo, announces C2 phone with 5MP front camera (Engadget). Other phones with 5MP front cameras include Spice Stellar Mi-535, ThL W8+, and more.
This may be a new trend or just a number of isolated events, time will tell. At least, 2012 Camera Phone Trends presentation by 6Sight does not predict any resolution race with front cameras.
Engadget reports about another local brand phone - Oppo Ulike 2 featuring 5MP front camera. Intomobile says that Oppo plans to release 8MP front camera phone this September. A Thailand-based mobile phone manufacturer i-mobile published specs of its new IQ X and IQ XA smartphones featuring 8MP front cameras (Engadget).
Another Chinese manufacturer, Zopo, announces C2 phone with 5MP front camera (Engadget). Other phones with 5MP front cameras include Spice Stellar Mi-535, ThL W8+, and more.
This may be a new trend or just a number of isolated events, time will tell. At least, 2012 Camera Phone Trends presentation by 6Sight does not predict any resolution race with front cameras.
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