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The Institute of Nano Sciences from CNRS-Sorbonne University is currently researching and producing quantum dot materials of HgTe, sensitive in the extended SWIR wavelength range. Through a partnership with NIT, a first sensor-camera was produced. This technology is promising to design low-cost and small pixel pitch focal plane array, as well as to expand the spectral range of the SWIR camera up to 2.5 µm. This collaborative program is funded by the French National Research Agency. This video  presents the technology of quantum cascade detector (QCD) deposition with response up to 2um on NIT ROIC’s, and sample results images in various conditions. A related paper titled "Photoconductive focal plane array based on HgTe quantum dots for fast and cost-effective short-wave infrared imaging" is in the June 2022 issue of Nanoscale journal. Abstract:  HgTe nanocrystals, thanks to quantum confinement, present a broadly tunable band gap all over the infrared spectral range. In additio

According to a market report from China "global mobile phone image sensor market is declining, and it is recommended to deploy multi-level product lines, combined with production capacity advantages, to impact market share." [ English translation ] In the first quarter of 2022, the global mobile phone image sensor shipments will be approximately 1.13 billion units, a year-on-year decrease of approximately 27.0%.   Market demand in Europe and mainland China has suffered multiple blows, and the Latin America market may be able to stand out   The upgrade of pixel specifications shows polarization, "main camera up, sub camera down"   Leading manufacturers will use production capacity advantages to control supply or change the adversity, and local manufacturers will seek opportunities through differentiation Suggestion: Improve product functional value, upgrade product structure, and be cautious in large-scale expansion A recent report by TrendForce forecasts that the

CASS Talks 2022 - Jose Lipovetzky, CNEA, Argentina - April 8, 2022. Viewing ionizing radiation with CMOS image sensors. Distributed On-Sensor Compute System for AR/VR Devices: A Semi-Analytical Simulation Framework for Power Estimation (Jorge GOMEZ, Research Scientist, Reality Labs, Meta) tinyML Applications and Systems Session: Millimeter-Scale Ultra-Low-Power Imaging System for Intelligent Edge Monitoring (Andrea BEJARNO-CARBO, PhD Student, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI) This video briefly introduces the Global Shutter product line of PixArt. It provides insights into the key competitiveness of PixArt's Global Shutter products by comparing their ultra-low-power consumption rates and advanced built-ins with other similar products in the market.

In a blog post titled "Comparing Depth Cameras: iToF Versus Active Stereo" Refael Whyte of Chronoptics compares depth reconstructions from their indirect time-of-flight (iToF) "KEA" camera with active stereo using an Intel RealSense D435 sensor. Specs Setup used for comparisons Bin picking Pallet picking Depth data can also be overlaid on RGB to get colored point cloud visualizations. KEA provides much cleaner-looking results:   KEA D435 They show some limitations too. In this scene the floor has very low reflectivity in IR so the KEA camera struggles to collect enough photons there:   [PS: I wish all companies showed "failure cases" as part of their promotional materials!] Full article here: https://medium.com/chronoptics-time-of-flight/comparing-depth-cameras-itof-versus-active-stereo-e163811f3ac8

BrainChip Partners with Prophesee Optimizing Computer Vision AI Performance and Efficiency Laguna Hills, Calif. – June 14, 2022 – BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN, OTCQX: BRCHF, ADR: BCHPY), the world’s first commercial producer of neuromorphic AI IP, and Prophesee, the inventor of the world’s most advanced neuromorphic vision systems, today announced a technology partnership that delivers next-generation platforms for OEMs looking to integrate event-based vision systems with high levels of AI performance coupled with ultra-low power technologies. Inspired by human vision, Prophesee’s technology uses a patented sensor design and AI algorithms that mimic the eye and brain to reveal what was invisible until now using standard frame-based technology. Prophesee’s computer vision systems open new potential in areas such as autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, IoT, security and surveillance, and AR/VR. BrainChip’s first-to-market neuromorphic processor, Akida, mimics the human brain t

From NewsShooter: https://www.newsshooter.com/2022/06/01/arri-alexa-35-first-look/ ARRI has officially unveiled the ALEXA 35, a new Super 35 digital cinema camera with 17 stops of dynamic range and a host of new features that are all aimed to provide the best possible image quality. The ALEXA 35 has big shoes to fill as it is the first ARRI camera to feature a sensor that isn’t based on the ALEV-III. The ALEV-III has been used in various forms in every single ALEXA camera since 2010. The ALEXA 35 represents the next big step for ARRI in the evolution of the ALEXA family.   Technical data: https://www.arri.com/en/camera-systems/cameras/alexa-35#273064   With its new image sensor with ~6 micron pixel pitch, Arri claims to provide 17 stop of dynamic range but details about the sensor manufacturer were not available on their website. Earlier models of their camera used the Alev-III sensor which was a CMOS sensors from onsemi . A couple of other videos about the new Alexa 35:  

Sony presents "Advantages of Large Format Global Shutter and Rolling Shutter Image Sensor" onsemi presents their CMOS image sensor layer structure consisting of a microlens array, color filter array, photodiode, pixel transistors, bond layer and ASIC: Newsight presents its enhanced time-of-flight technology for depth sensing: And finally a cute cat video to wrap it up: Samsung's new 200 megapixel ISOCELL image sensor promotional video:

A PhD thesis titled "Proposal of Architecture and Circuits for Dynamic Range Enhancement of Vision Systems on Chip designed in Deep Submicron Technologies" by from Universidad de Sevilla is now available to the public. The thesis is by Sonia Vargas Sierra who did this work at the Image Sensor group of Microelectronic Institute of Seville. Although the thesis is from a few years ago, some of the content in the thesis may be of interest now due to recent developments in vertical integrated technologies. From the Preface: The work presented in this thesis proposes new techniques for dynamic range expansion in electronic image sensors. Since Dynamic Range (DR) is defined as the ratio between the maximum and the minimum measurable illuminations, the options for improvement seem obvious; first, to reduce the minimum measurable signal by diminishing the noise floor of the sensor, and second, to increase the maximum measurable light by increasing the sensor saturation limit. In our c

In a paper titled "Evolution of Image Sensor Architectures With Stacked Device Technologies" in IEEE TED (June 2022) Y. Oike writes: The evolution of CMOS image sensors and their prospects using advanced imaging technologies are promising candidates to improve the quality of life. With the rapid advent of parallel analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and back-illuminated (BI) technology, CMOS image sensors currently dominate the market for digital cameras, and stacked CMOS image sensors continue to provide enhanced functionality and user experience in mobile devices. This article reviews the latest achievements in stacked image sensors with respect to the evolution of image sensor architecture for accelerating performance improvements, extending sensing capabilities, and integrating edge computing with various stacked device technologies. Full article here:  https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9494712/ [IEEE subscription required]

Chinese vision sensor startup AlpsenTek raised nearly $30 million in Series A funding AlpsenTek(锐思智芯), a Chinese machine vision sensor startup, announced on June 6 that it raised nearly RMB200 million($30 million) in Series A funding earlier this year. The investment was was jointly led by Xunxing Investment - an investment company of Chinese smartphone brand OPPO and Cowin Capital.   AlpsenTek’s original investors ArcSoft Corp, Sunny Optical Industry Fund, Clory Ventures, Shenzhen Angel FOF, Lenovo Capital and Incubator Group, and Zero2IPO Group also participated in this round of funding.   Founded in 2019, AlpsenTek is a company engaged in the research and development of machine vision sensors and algorithms. The company is headquartered in Beijing and has offices in Shenzhen, Nanjing, and Switzerland. AlpsenTek employs an international team of professionals from elite research firms worldwide with extensive expertise in developing algorithms, software, hardware, and chips, according

From Counterpoint Research ( https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=veC5PS8aDZo ): Over the last few years, steady upgrades in CMOS image sensor (CIS) technology combined with the evolution of chipsets – and the improvements in AI they enable – are bringing step-change improvements to smartphone camera performance. Counterpoint Research would like to invite you to join our latest webinar Smartphone Imaging Trends: New Directions Capturing Magic Moments which will be attended by key executives from HONOR, Qualcomm, and DXOMARK as well as a renowned professional photographer and director Eugenio Recuenco. The webinar is a complement to an upcoming Counterpoint Whitepaper (also to be released on June 8) which will cover smartphone imaging trends, OEM strategy comparisons, the key components of a great camera and show how technology is helping to unlock creative expression. The accompanying whitepaper can be obtained here:  https://www.counterpointresearch.com/whitepaper-smartphone-imaging-trend

Lucid Vision Labs has released a new video overview of Sony's rolling shutter 47MP IMX492 sensor. The video discusses quantum efficiency (time stamp 2:02), saturation capacity (3:04), temporal dark noise (3:15), and dynamic range (3:27). It also compares it to some of other higher resolution sensors (31.4MP IMX342, 24.5MP IMX530, 20MP IMX183) Full EMVA 1288 data is also available on Lucid's product page under the "EMVA 1288 Data" Tab here: https://thinklucid.com/product/atlas10-47mp-imx492/#tab-emva-1288-data

From TechCrunch: Vayyar, a company developing radar-imaging sensor technologies, today announced that it raised $108 million in a Series E round led by Koch Disruptive Technologies, with participation from GLy Capital Management, Atreides Management LP, KDT, Battery Ventures, Bessemer Ventures, More VC, Regal Four and Claltech. The round brings Vayyar’s total raised to over $300 million, which CEO Raviv Melamed said is being put toward expanding across verticals and introducing a “family” of machine learning-powered sensor solutions for robotics, retail, public safety and “smart” building products. “We are pleased and proud to progress our partnership with existing investors including KDT, as well as additional backers which are joining forces with us for the first time,” Melamed said in a statement. “During a challenging period for the global economy, this new funding round is a ringing endorsement of our mission and a clear vote of confidence in the strength of our technology and the

The CIS market is back to strong growth: Are we at the beginning of the much-awaited sensing era? Yole will host a webcast on Thursday 16, June 2022 https://www.i-micronews.com/event/the-cis-market-is-back-to-strong-growth-are-we-at-the-beginning-of-the-much-awaited-sensing-era/ The image sensor market struggled through a mixed 2021 but appears to have emerged strongly positioned. Could 2022 be the beginning of strong growth on the back of sensing applications? In this webcast we will explore what the next few quarters and years hold for the CMOS image sensor (CIS) industry, including market demand, industry revenue and capacity. This webcast will take a quick look back at 2021 to review the recent history of CIS before focusing on the near and mid-term prospects for the CIS industry. It will also cover market dynamics, supply, and pricing, with particular focus on answering the question, “Are we at the beginning of strong growth on the back of sensing applications?” Prophesee releases

From the journal Light Science and Applications, in a paper titled "A modular hierarchical array camera" X. Yuan et al. write: Abstract:  Array cameras removed the optical limitations of a single camera and paved the way for high-performance imaging via the combination of micro-cameras and computation to fuse multiple aperture images. However, existing solutions use dense arrays of cameras that require laborious calibration and lack flexibility and practicality. Inspired by the cognition function principle of the human brain, we develop an unstructured array camera system that adopts a hierarchical modular design with multiscale hybrid cameras composing different modules. Intelligent computations are designed to collaboratively operate along both intra- and intermodule pathways. This system can adaptively allocate imagery resources to dramatically reduce the hardware cost and possesses unprecedented flexibility, robustness, and versatility. Large scenes of real-world data wer

Slides from the Imaging and Sensing Solutions Segment from Sony's Investor Relations day: https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/IR/library/presen/irday/pdf/2022/ISS_E.pdf