Tuesday, March 03, 2015

TowerJazz Makes IR Sensors for Intel RealSense Cameras

GlobeNewswire: TowerJazz begins mass production of an IR sensor used by Intel in one of its new 3D sensing solutions. Intel chose TowerJazz's 0.11um IS11 process, due to its pixel performance in NIR combined with high speed, high QE and high optical resolution. The unique pixel developed by TowerJazz for Intel is a 3.5um global shutter very fast pixel that allows high QE in NIR, specifically at the scanning laser wavelength with high sensor resolution.

"Partnering with TowerJazz was a part of our success in producing our advanced image sensor for 3D imaging and was a natural choice as they were able to offer the required technical specifications and performance for this breakthrough technology," said Sagi Ben Moshe, Director Depth Camera Engineering, Intel Corporation.

"This collaboration between Intel and TowerJazz was a natural fit. Intel's leadership in this market, combined with our leading technology that provides outstanding pixel performance for near IR 3D imaging, along with the proximity of our Israel fab with Intel Israel, the group developing this technology, was an ideal alignment," said Russell Ellwanger, CEO, TowerJazz. "We are very excited to partner with Intel to produce lifestyle changing technology that will revolutionize the way we interact with devices in both our professional and personal lives. We highly value our business relationship with Intel and look forward to further collaboration on their sensing technology."

"It is truly amazing and thrilling to see our lengthy experience in the imaging field and our own CMOS image sensor technology developed in-house, combined with all of the R&D work we have undertaken for many years come to fruition in such a groundbreaking way," said Dr. Avi Strum, VP and GM, CMOS Image Sensor Business Unit, TowerJazz. "Intel sensing solutions will bring consumers new experiences and will change the way people capture and share 3D images. We are very proud of our work with Intel and our ability to assist them in bringing cutting-edge technologies to market quickly and in high volume."

TowerJazz stock jumped by 7.5% after the announcement:

9 comments:

  1. Is there any concern for customers at Towers since their designs are constantly reviewed by Towers engineers? How can they prevent possible crosstalk?

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    1. Do you see any difference in that respect between TowerJazz and other foundries, such as TSMC, SMIC, Dongbu, etc.?

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    2. "our own CMOS image sensor technology developed in-house"
      "The unique pixel developed by TowerJazz for Intel is a 3.5um global shutter..."

      I didn't see TSMC deveopping pixel design for his customers. I know that UMC had their products before and this has raised a lot of suspicions. Finally they have cut all their products. But at the same TMSC has captured most of the foundry business during period.

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  2. Well said Vladimir. is there any difference really between the foundries? it is not ethical on their part to file patents on ideas which are in the customers' domain area of expertise for they would immediately be under a cloud of suspicion. They should stick to process technologies. We see rehashed ideas frequently from a major foundry with only a name change for the same idea implemented using the same method done earlier by others.

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  3. Which foundry is the lowest cost for 90nm CIS process?

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  4. judging the performance of Intel's Realsense F200 camera I wouldn't rush into buying TowerJazz stocks...

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    1. what is the resolution and frame rate of this camera please ?

      -yang ni

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  5. Beg your pardon, it is not an issue of stealing "older" process IP or re-engineering. The smaller fabs in China are constantly hiring engineers working on projects for US based design houses and doing a "second shift" in the Chinese fab, using stolen IP. This is exactly why Apple has moved to a US fabbed model with its IC vendors, not more than 10% of their production can come from offshore. I say, great move Apple. Samsung should follow suit as should all other US based designers. This is the only way the US and European designers can keep any advantage.

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