Cmosis has developed a new member of its off-the-shelf CMOS image sensors: the 0.3 Megapixel CMV300. Laid out in a 1/3-inch VGA (648 x 488) format, featuring high sensitivity, low-noise, global shutter and high frame rate, the CMV300 is aimed at basic, cost-critical industrial applications. Prototypes will be out by mid-2011.
The CMV300 will use the same advantageous eight-transistor pixel structure as the high-resolution series CMV2000/CMV4000/CMV12000. With 7.4µm square pixels, a low noise level of just 9e- and a full well charge of 20,000 electrons, the CMV300 provides a dynamic range of more than 66dB, which can be extended through several HDR (high dynamic range) operational modes.
The CMV300 pixel architecture, with its low parasitic light sensitivity and correlated double sampling (CDS) in global shutter mode, reduces the sensor matrix's fixed pattern noise (FPN) and the dark current noise. Pipelined operation enables integrating a frame during readout of the foregoing frame.
The sensor's 12-bit ADC delivers 600 full VGA frames per second over four LVDS outputs of 600Mb/s each. They can be multiplexed to two channels delivering a data rate of 300fps, or to one channel at 150fps.
Imager control and readout are programmable via an SPI interface. An internal runtime generator delivers all signals for data readout and exposure control. An external trigger can override the internal generated triggering.
CMV300 comes in a monochrome version fitted with micro lenses, and in a colour version featuring RGB Bayer patterns as well as micro lenses.
Considering their cost-effective small housing, their wide operating temperature range and low power consumption of just 400mW, both versions of the new VGA image sensor are well suited for rough industrial environments.
