Aptina Invests into Multi-Array Gigapixel Future

Business Wire: Aptina partnered with the Duke Imaging and Spectroscopy (DISP) for the AWARE gigapixel camera program as an image sensor supplier. The AWARE program is funded by DARPA and aims to build a a wide FOV gigapixel camera out of array pf Aptina's 14MP sensors. The camera is said to have five times the resolution of the human eye.

David J. Brady, the Michael J. Fitzpatrick Professor at Duke University leads DISP and spearheaded the AWARE-2 program, selecting Aptina to supply with modified MT9F002 14MP sensors and camera system support. "We chose Aptina’s 14-megapixel sensor because it provided the resolution, quality and speed required by the project," said David Brady, project lead.

Also Aptina is conducting an independent R&D on the multi-array concept and extending the idea of capturing images using multi-sensor and multi-camera solutions. "While the AWARE-2 camera uses a large array of individual sensors each in a micro-camera, we are committed to the miniaturization of the multi-array concept, achieved by integrating multiple imaging arrays within an individual sensor chip. These miniaturized single-chip multi-array solutions could revolutionize the imaging industry, enabling exciting new features and applications," said Bob Gove, President and CTO at Aptina.

Aptina’s work in this area includes various prototyped multi-array sensors including sensors containing imaging arrays from three to 25 individual imaging arrays. Aptina envisions a range of future applications to include smartphone cameras with exceptional color performance, depth mapping for gesture recognition and gaming, security, medical and military uses. Multi-array cameras provide a new direction from traditional cameras that opens the possibility for extremely flexible designs for both normal photography and computer vision for new human interactive systems.

Example images from AWARE web site: