10Mfps QVGA Camera Uses Tohoku University's Image Sensor

Tohoku University, Japan reports that Prof. Shigetoshi Sugawa's research group in cooperation with Shimadzu Corporation has developed an 10 million frames per second image sensor with ISO 16,000 sensitivity. An ultra-high-speed video camera incorporating the developed CMOS image sensor is newly released by Shimadzu Corp. The new sensor which offers six times higher photosensitivity over the previous generation one and can store up to 256 frames on-chip.

Shimatzu explains how the new sensor works:

"Burst Method Enables Ultra High-Speed Recording

For typical high-speed video cameras, image storage memories are located outside of the image sensor. Because the number of signal output taps are overwhelmingly small compared to the number of pixels, the transfer of the video signals from the pixels to the memories must be a sequentially serial process; therefore, ultra high-speed recording of more than 1 million frames per second could not be realized. In contrast, Shimadzu's burst image sensor has the same number of built-in memories as number of frames recorded. Furthermore, a pixel and memories are connected by wire in a one-to-one manner in order to completely parallel transfer the video signal from the pixels to the memories. This makes it possible to realize ultra high-speed recording at 10 million frames per second. In addition, since it not limited to the number of signal output taps as with conventional serial transfer system, high-resolution recording at ultra high speed is available."

Thanks to RK for sending me the link!