Tech-On: Ericsson AB of Sweden revealed its efforts in LTE mobile standard promotion at a press conference Nov 6, 2008. During the conference, Ericsson mentioned its concept of a future mobile terminal as "a mobile device in 2012." According to the concept, high-function terminals, in the future, will be equipped with a 12- to 20MP camera and support full HD video shooting capability.
Assuming the "2012 mobile device" has 1/3" sensor, this translates to 1.1um (12MP) or 0.8um (20MP) pixel pitch. As for 1.1um pixel, it's probably safe to assume that it will be mass produced sometime in 2012. I'm less sure about 0.8um generation. Probably Ericsson AB is more optimistic than me on the time table of the image sensor industry. One needs a real leapfrog to make 0.8um in 2012.
I'm less sure about 0.8um generation. Probably Ericsson AB is more optimistic than me on the time table of the image sensor industry. One needs a real leapfrog to make 0.8um in 2012.
ReplyDelete______________________________________________
Here's your leapfrog...
"OmniBSI represents a revolution in the mass production of CMOS image sensors (CIS), adopting a radically different approach to traditional CMOS pixel architectures. Using Backside Illumination (BSI) technology, OmniBSI offers CIS architectures for generations to come by enabling continued improvements in sensitivity, color reproduction and image quality while continuing the design shrink down to 0.9 µm pixels."
Of course, Sony has also adopted BSI technology although for DSC's only at the moment.
Neo
Omnivision's BSI potentially solves just one of the pixel scaling problems - namely QE. The other problem is diminishing full well. Yet another problem is pixel crosstalk, both optical and capacitive. In theory BSI can reduce optical one and, I believe, it will eventually. However, capacitive crosstalk reduction in small shared pixels requires painful trade offs in the current technology, including BSI.
ReplyDeleteIn short, I do not think that BSI alone brings us to 0.8um. Much more innovation is required to get there.