Image sensors boost IoT and machine vision designs

Jon Lawson

Samsung Electronics has launched two new ISOCELL image sensors for industrial vision and designs in the Internet of Things (IoT).

The 1.28μm 12-megapixel  ISOCELL Fast 2L9 with Dual Pixel technology, and the smaller 0.9μm 24Mp ISOCELL Slim 2X7 with Tetracell technology both offer high resolution image sensors in small chip packages, delivering detailed pictures in low-light environments without a camera bump.

The Dual Pixel architecture in the ISOCELL Fast 2L9 delivers ultra-fast auto-focus at a reduced pixel size from the previous Dual Pixel sensor’s 1.4μm to 1.28μm.

This uses two photodiodes in each pixel of the sensor instead of only one.

With 12 million focus detecting pixels, the sensor is able to not only quickly focus on small still objects, but also lock on and track moving objects without losing focus, even in low-light environments.

The smaller pixel size means the 2L9 can fit into slimmer camera modules and allows depth-of-field effects.

At 0.9μm, the ISOCELL Slim 2X7 is the first sensor in the industry to have the pixel size below 1.0μm.

This uses a deep trench isolation silicon process to reduce colour crosstalk and expand the full-well capacity to hold more light information.

In addition, the small 0.9μm pixel size enables a 24Mp image sensor to be fitted in a thinner camera module.

The Tetracell technology allows the sensor take brighter photographs in the dark and more detailed ones in well-lit environments, boosting machine vision designs.

Tetracell improves performance in low-light situations by merging four neighbouring pixels to work as one to increase light sensitivity. In bright environments, Tetracell uses a re-mosaic algorithm to produce full resolution images.

“Samsung ISOCELL Fast 2L9 and ISOCELL Slim 2X7 are new image sensors that fully use Samsung’s advanced pixel technology, and are highly versatile as they can be placed in both front and rear of a smartphone,” said Ben K. Hur, Vice President of System LSI Marketing at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung plans to further develop the Dual Pixel and 0.9μm-pixel product categories, and expand applicable devices for ISOCELL image sensors that can enhance photographing experiences.”