The demand for higher pixel counts, compact size and high frame rates is growing stronger in the industrial and traffic monitoring camera markets.

 

Sony is now releasing the ICX687ALA (black-and-white) and ICX687AQA (color) 2.8M-pixel, 2-channel multi output, high sensitivity and low smear sensors with a full HD pixel count. 

 

The ICX687ALA (black-and-white) and the ICX687AQA (color) can be integrated in a small, general use package when limited to an optical system with a diagonal size of 8.918 mm (Type 1/1.8) and 2-channel output.

 

This will reduce the size of products that manufacturers can incorporate the sensors into and enable use of numerous applications.

 

■ Diagonal 8.918 mm (Type 1/1.8) 2.83M-effective pixel progressive scan method CCD image sensors

■ Provides full HD pixel count

■ High resolution, high sensitivity and low smear

■ Extensive set of drive modes

■ Compact device size (28-pin plastic DIP)

"EXview HAD CCD II" is a trademark of Sony Corporation. The "EXview HAD CCD II" is a CCD image sensor that realizes sensitivity (typical) of 1000 mV or more per 1 μm2 (Color: F5.6/BW: F8 in 1 s accumulation equivalent) and improves light efficiency by including near infrared light region as a basic

structure of Sony's "EXview HAD CCD".

 

The ICX687ALA and ICX687AQA are diagonal 8.918 mm (Type 1/1.8) 2.83M-effective pixel CCD image sensors designed for use in industrial and traffic monitoring cameras. The new sensors have a higher pixel count, high frame rates and greatly enhanced features than the current ICX274AL/AQ.

 

The ICX687ALA and the ICX687AQA provide a full HD pixel count at an optical size of Type 1/1.8 by reducing the unit pixel size from 4.40 μm in the current ICX274AL/ICX274AQ that have a similar optical system (diagonal 8.923 mm (Type 1/1.8) 2.01M-effective pixels) to 3.69 μm.

 

Although the area occupied per pixel has been reduced by about 30% when compared to the current ICX274AL/ICX274AQ, the latest fine pixel processing technology and optimization of pixel pattern and light-collecting structure have increased sensitivity.

 

The smear characteristics are also 5 dB better than the current ICX274AL/ICX274AQ. This makes the new sensors high performance devices that combine high resolution and high sensitivity with low smear.

Use of the "Exview HAD CCD II" structure gives them high near infrared sensitivity making them suitable for day and night monitoring and near infrared shooting. They will meet the needs of a wide variety of camera applications. (See figure 1, figure 2, table 1 and table 2.)

 

Since the sensors are equipped with output circuits capable of high-speed processing, they can operate at a maximum horizontal drive frequency of 54 MHz.

 

This means they can operate at high frame rates. In progressive scan mode, it is possible to individually output all pixels at a frame rate of 25 frame/s. Also, by changing the drive timing of the horizontal transfer register as required by the frame rate allows switching between 1-channel output and two horizontally split channels (multichannel output). (See figure 3.)