Sony has launched two powerful 1/3” sensors in the second generation of its CMOS Global Shutter image sensors - the IMX273 and the IMX287. With a resolution of 1.6 megapixels (IMX273) and high sensitivity in VGA quality (IMX287), they provide excellent distortion-free image quality in moving vision systems. Notably, with image rates of up to 437 fps, they support fast applications in Machine Vision and diagnostics as well as traffic and monitoring.
The new SONY image sensors have been specifically developed for industrial applications and are available from FRAMOS, the image processing specialists. The IMX287 achieves maximum speed with a resolution of 0.4 megapixels and up to 437 fps at 10 bit. Global Shutter together with high sensitivity and a pixel size of 6.9 µm provide high sensor performance at a faster shutter speed, boosting inspection speed and enabling a high degree of sensitivity in the near-infrared range with high quantum efficiency. The IMX273 can even achieve 226 fps with a resolution of 1.6 megapixels and a pixel size of 3.45 µm. This makes the sensor ideal for inspecting surfaces for defects or scratches as well as for detailed image analysis in medical technology, monitoring and traffic. The speed can be boosted further by creating several Regions of Interest (RoI). With external dimensions of just 14x14 mm, both the IMX287 and the IMX273 are suitable for integration into compact applications and devices and use SONY’s sub-LVDS interface.
FRAMOS sensor expert Anna Neschitsch explains the advantages of the new Sony sensors: “The combination of a small sensor format, Global Shutter technology with excellent image quality and above all high speeds meets all of the criteria and requirements of modern vision systems. The new sensors are even more attractive for design-in thanks to an excellent price-performance ratio. The engineering samples and evaluation boards currently available mean that development and design-in can start right away.”
Monochrome variants for pure sensing
The full featured IMX273 and IMX287 also have reduced frame rate equivalents in the IMX296 and IMX297, which are only available in a monochrome version. The IMX296 and the IMX297 are suitable for applications without image reproduction, like pure sensing in home robots or for reading barcodes. A MIPI interface (CSI-2 compatible) simplifies use of the sensing variants in mobile devices and monitoring applications, reducing product launch costs.
All four sensors are equipped with additional functionalities for industrial use. For example, external triggers can be used to control exposure and trigger time. Using the new image sensor synchronization feature on top of conventional trigger functions allows simultaneous control of multi-camera systems, with the output signals of one sensor serving as the master for faster control of the others (slaves). All four sensor variants use the same package to ensure PIN compatibility and make it possible to use the same footprint in camera development.
The industry and product experts at FRAMOS have specialist knowledge ranging from sensors to systems, and provide customer support for the integration of new sensors into applications and projects. For example, the Sony IMX273/287/296/297 sensors can be used with Sunex compact fish-eye lenses DSL 182, DSL849 and DSL944. FRAMOS also offers additional services such as development support, special applications and logistics services.
