Sony Announces New CCD, CMOS Sensors, GVIF Automotive Interface

Cx-News vol 62: Sony announced 2/3-inch 2.83MP ICX674ALG/AQG CCDs capable to deliver 1080p HD video in B&W and color versions.

The main differentiation of the new 4.54um-pixel CCDs is "Output Channel Count Switching":
The CCDs have vertical transfer registers that can transfer charge in both directions as well as horizontal transfer registers. By changing the vertical and horizontal transfer register drive timing and by switching the charge transfer direction according to the required frame rate, these devices support single-channel output, horizontal division 2-channel output, vertical division 2-channel output, and horizontal and vertical division 4-channel output:

1/4-inch 1.4MP IMX076LQZ/CQZ CMOS sensors are targeting industrial applications and feature new high sensitivity 2.8um pixel (somehow Sony calls it "2.8um diagonal"). As a result of the improvements, Sony was able to acquire in 1/4-inch sensor sensitivity and SNR equivalent to the Sony's existing 1/3-inch 1.39MP CMOS sensors. The new sensors deliver 30 fps in 12-bit A/D conversion mode and 30 and 60 fps in 10-bit full resolution mode. IMX076LQZ is optimized for the long exit pupil distance while IMX076CQZ is developed for the short exit pupil distance.

Sony also introduces 1.95Gbps Gigabit Video Interface (GVIF) for automotive applications. The interface transmits 24-bit color data with EGA, VGA, WVGA, SVGA, Dual VGA, or XGA resolution to the distance of up to 10m over a shielded twisted pair. Sony seems to use no pre-emphasis on the transmitting side, so the receiver needs quite a heavy equalization to open the eye:

Sony shows a prototype of camera module with GVIF interface: