Friday, February 14, 2025

Improving color sensitivity in low light using nano-prisms, light pillars, and color splitters

A recent article in IEEE Spectrum discusses three approaches to improve color throughput in low-light settings: nano-prisms, light pillars, and color splitters.

Link: https://spectrum.ieee.org/smartphone-camera-sensors-next-gen/nano-light-pillars-bring-low-light-images-into-focus

 


Using color splitters, an image sensor can increase its overall sensitivity by having light appropriate to each sensor channeled directly to it. (imec)


“Nano-pillars” are a light channeling form of a metasurface that, a little like Imec's color splitter, also direct specific wavelengths of light to the detector pixels best suited to receive the light. (VisEra Technologies)

Samsung's new nano-prism image has a sensitivity to light sources at more oblique angles compared to some conventional pixel tech today. (Samsung)


Thursday, February 13, 2025

IISW 2025 pre-registration is open!

TLDR; Register as soon as possible starting February 17, as the number of attendees is limited! 

IISW 2025 Announcement of Pre-registration
 
The 2025 International Image Sensor Workshop (IISW) provides a biennial opportunity to present innovative work in the area of solid-state image sensors and share new results with the image sensor community. The event is intended for image sensor technologists; in order to encourage attendee interaction and a shared experience, attendance is limited, with strong acceptance preference given to workshop presenters. As is the tradition, the 2025 workshop will emphasize an open exchange of information among participants in an informal, secluded setting on the Awaji Island in Hyōgo, Japan.
 
The pre-registration, along with the workshop program, will be open from February 17th, 2025. Details about pre-registration have been made available in advance at:
 
https://imagesensors.org/2025-international-image-sensor-workshop/
 
Priority seating will be given to presenters of accepted papers, resulting in a limited number of seats available for other attendees. Registration will generally be on a first-come, first-served basis. However, in line with the workshop’s commitment to fostering diverse and lively discussions, the organizers reserve the right to adjust allocations to ensure a balanced representation of affiliations.


Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Lucid Vision Labs tech report on IMX636 and IMX637

Link: https://thinklucid.com/tech-briefs/triton2-evs-explained-optimizing-event-based-imaging/

Lucid Vision Labs has published an in-depth article on their analysis of the bias and threshold features of Sony's IMX636 and IMX637 event-based sensors. The report goes into details on how the sensor can be controlled so that users can tweak and tune the event based data.




Monday, February 10, 2025

Gpixel announces large format image sensor 16.8MP

Link: https://www.vision-systems.com/cameras-accessories/image-sensors/article/55264400/gpixel-launches-new-large-format-image-sensor

Gpixel Launches New Large Format Image Sensor

Sensor especially designed for physical science, astronomy vision applications.

Gpixel has launched a new large format monochrome CMOS image sensor, the GSENSE1517BSI. This backside illuminated sensor has 4116 x 4100, 16.8 MPixel resolution with 15 x 15 µm pixel size, 61.74 x 61.5 imaging area, and 4 fps frame rate. It has 92% peak QE and minimum read noise of 1.2e. It has both dual gain HDR and 14-bit ADC, which enables a wide variety of imaging modes. It can achieve up to 95.3db dynamic range. It has an operating temperature range of -60°C to 50° C.

This sensor is especially designed for scientific applications such astronomy related vision tasks, including space situational awareness, and orbital object tracking.

Friday, February 07, 2025

Videos of the day: ST, LYNRED, Teledyne/FLIR, ams OSRAM

 

ST's Ultra Low Power Image Sensor VD55G1

 

LYNRED Eyesential SW, VGA 10 µm pitch SWIR imaging sensor, provides leading-edge performance in sensitivity, low noise and ease-of-use for machine vision, scientific imaging and spectroscopy, where delivering affordability is key

 

Teledyne/FLIR Webinar on Sony's 4th Gen Pregius


amsOSRAM TMF8806 single-zone dToF Sensors for high accuracy in ultra low power mode

Monday, February 03, 2025

19th edition of Image Sensors Europe to feature leading experts from across the supply chain

More than 250 key stakeholders from across the image sensors industry will convene in London 18-19th March for the 19th edition of Smithers’ renowned Image Sensors Europe conference.

Since 2007, this premier event has become the annual cornerstone for technical and business discussions in the image sensors sector. Each year, this ever-evolving market continuously prompts new and exciting opportunities for the entire supply chain. Image Sensors Europe provides a platform for leading industry representatives from across the digital imaging supply chain to engage in high caliber discussions and unrivalled face-to-face networking opportunities.

Guided by insights from an Advisory Board representing the full value chain, the conference agenda promises a comprehensive exploration of market trends, business updates, manufacturing advancements, breakthrough technologies, and ongoing technical challenges. Attendees can look forward to an impressive roster of speakers, including representatives from TechInsights, Sony Semiconductor Solutions, X-FAB, Canon, Hamamatsu Ventures Europe, Meta, Harvest Imaging, Forza Silicon (Ametek Inc.), STMicroelectronics, and Gpixel, among others.

“Attending this conference is mandatory when working in the image sensor market. Great technology, great people, great conference.” – Teradyne

 

This year's program takes place over two days, comprising 7 key areas of focus to highlight all the latest topics and trends including:

 

Session 1: Market Trends & CMOS Sensor Updates

Session 2: Automotive Applications

Session 3: SWIR

Session 4: SPAD

Session 5: Depth Sensing

Session 6: Consumer & Scientific Applications

Session 7: Image Processing

 

“Excellent event with outstanding speakers and plenty of opportunities for networking.” – Siemens Healthineers

 

Already confirmed to attend the event includes representatives from SONY, Amazon, SICK IVP, Intuitive Surgical, Photon Force, Framos, SynSense AG, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Nordson many more.

Tickets are priced starting at just £1,579 + VAT for full access to the two-day event.

For more information, please visit www.image-sensors.com/image-sensors-europe

An online live workshop with industry expert Albert Theuwissen will take place on 6h March 2025. Join for just £479 + VAT to discover the recent developments in the CIS world over the last 12 months.

About Smithers

Smithers is a global leader providing B2B information services, including leading conferences and events, market reports and intelligence and strategic consulting services. Smithers also offer testing in a variety of industries, including electronics, components, tires, rubber, elastomers and polymers. For more information about Smithers, please visit www.smithers.com.

Saturday, February 01, 2025

Conference List - April 2025

Compound Semiconductor International Conference - 7-9 April 2025 - Brussels. Belgium - Website

SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics - 7-10 April 2025 - Prague, Czech Republic - Website

IEEE Custom Integrated Circuits Conference - 13-17 April 2025 - Boston, Massachusetts, USA - Website

SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing - 13-17 April 2025 - Orlando, Florida, USA - Website

IEEE Silicon Photonics Conference - 14-17 April 2025 - London, England, UK - Website

Optics and Photonics International Congress - 21-25 April 2025 - Yokohama, Japan - Website


If you know about additional local conferences, please add them as comments.

Return to Conference List index

Friday, January 31, 2025

SiOnyx vs Apple iPhone15 lawsuit

Link: https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/01/09/apple-fights-patent-lawsuit-over-iphone-15-camera-tech

In September, Apple was the target of a patent infringement lawsuit from SiOnyx, for allegedly encroaching on patents for full-color night vision imaging sensors.

At the time, it was claimed that Apple had infringed on the patents, referred to as "Pixel Isolation Elements, Devices, and Associated Methods," discussing improvements to photosensitive devices. By using silicon-based photonics, the complaint said that companies could create smaller, lower-cost, and higher-performance photonic devices for imaging purposes.

In December, SiOnyx amended the complaint to include that Apple had pre-suit knowledge of three patents, reports Law.com. Apple also connected in May 2014 to talk about technical developments.

In an August 2017 meeting over trench isolation structures and black silicon technology, as mentioned in the patents, SiOnyx also shared a presentation with Apple employees.

On January 8, Apple responded to the complaint by filing a motion to strike some of the new allegations. Working for Apple, attorney Michael D. Strapp of DLA Piper wanted for some of the case to be dismissed, because SiOnyx failed to state a claim.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Prophesee files for insolvency [Updated]

Source: https://sifted.eu/articles/startups-went-bust-2024
 

French deeptech Prophesee developed advanced ‘neuromorphic’ computer vision technology — meaning that it aimed to imitate the structure and function of the human brain and eye. In May 2024, it announced that its technology, which is mostly intended for smartphone cameras, was available in US tech giant AMD’s products. However, in October [2024], the company, which had raised €126m in total, filed for insolvency and entered judicial recovery. It told French publication Les Echos that its next round of fundraising had taken longer than expected.
[Update Jan 29 4:30pm Pacific Time] A statement from the company: 

Dear All,

The company has entered a judicial recovery procedure at the end of 2024 due to a delay in our fundraising process, which we are now in the final stages of completing with both existing and new investors.

Despite this, our operations continue as normal. My team and I remain fully committed to delivering best in class event-based sensors and solutions to our customers and partners.

Thank you for your continued support.

Cheers,
Luca Verre
CEO & Co-founder

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

ISP development short course at Electronic Imaging 2025

10xEngineers invites the Imaging and Vision community to attend a Short Course on Infinite-ISP, the open-source hardware image signal processor development package at Electronic Imaging 2025.

Date: February 6, 2025 PST

Start Time: 8:30 am - 12:45 pm Pacific Time

Duration: 4 hours


The participants of the course will be taken through the entire ISP development process using the open source Infinite-ISP package. The hands-on course touches topics such as:
a.    translating a custom algorithm written in floating-point into the hardware ISP pipeline
b.    Porting a new image sensor to the hardware ISP and tuning for a new sensor
c.    utilizing the ISP to process an available dataset for Vision or AI/ Deep Learning application

Program link: https://www.imaging.org/IST/iCore/Events/Function_Display.aspx?EventKey=E25&FunctionKey=E25/SC17

Registration: https://www.imaging.org/IST/Events/EI-Registration/SignIn.aspx