ETNews reports that Samsung follows Sony footsteps to develop its own 1000fps image sensor for smartphones:
"Samsung Electronics is going to start mass-producing ‘3-layered image sensor’ in November. This image sensor is made into a layered structure by connecting a system semiconductor (logic chip) that is in charge of calculations and DRAM chip that can temporarily store data through TSV (Through Silicon Via) technology. Samsung Electronics currently ordered special equipment for mass-production and is going to start mass-producing ‘3-layered image sensor’ after doing pilot operation in next month.
SONY established a batch process system that attaches a sensor, a DRAM chip, and a logic chip in a unit of a wafer. On the other hand, it is understood that Samsung Electronics is using a method that makes 2-layered structure with a sensor and a logic chip and attaches DRAM through TC (Thermal Compression) bonding method after flipping over a wafer. From productivity and production cost, SONY has an upper hand. It seems that a reason why Samsung Electronics decided to use its way is because it wanted to avoid using other patents."
OK, so let's get really confusing. Up to now, "Layered" meant structures built on a single wafer, devices, oxide insulators, reflectors, filters, microlenses, Foveon photodiodes, etc. and multiple-wafer assemblies were designated as stacks. Sony talks about its stacked devices, for instance.
ReplyDeleteNow these guys talk about 3-layered structures made of (apparently) one wafer with circuitry on both sides connected with TSVs and another wafer that is compression-bonded to it. I am happy with the first wafer being called "layered" but the two stuck together should be called "stacked".
It's good that someone is coming up with an alternative to the high speed Sony sensors.
ReplyDeleteRight now the buffer is very short (2 Seconds or so), I am guessing, mostly due to the quality of DRAM. Since Samsung is an industry leader in RAM they should be able to improve the speed of the buffer and the paltry resolution (it does very low Bitrate 720p right now).
Also, if they could have one of the frame rates as full resolution 20-30 frames, with its dual pixel technology, they may actually have a smartphone sensor that can do wildlife or fast speed action sports (with the right lens attached).