SENSORS

IMAGEWhat is an image sensor?An image sensor is a device that converts an optical imageinto an electronic signal. CMOS image sensors are builtin advanced CMOS processing technology, which makesit possible to produce image sensors with lower costcompare to CCD imagers. With the help of low cost andhigh performance CMOS image sensors, digital imagingtechnology can be widely used in many applications fromconsumer digital still camera (DSC), smart phone andwebcams to industrial or commercial application like barcodescanning, machine vision, security surveillance camera andintelligent traffic systems.ApplicationCasesAerospace &astronomyAutomotiveimagingConsumerIndustrial imagingMedical imagingProfessionalphotographySecurity &surveillanceReal Life ExamplesSpace cameras, environmentalobservation, earth observation,astronomical imagingRear view and night visioncameras, rain detection, blindspot detectionWebcams, toys, notebook, tabletsWafer inspection, PCB inspection,machine vision, intelligenttraffic systems, postal and parcelsorting; barcode readingDiagnostic cameras, prostheticeyes; X-ray imagingHigh end professional camerasIP cameras, CCTV cameras,fingerprint module, iris & facialrecognitionImportant selection parametersMegapixelsA megapixel is one million pixels, which is the term used todescribe the number of sensor elements in an image sensor.Frame RateFrame rate is the frequency at which an image sensorproduces a frame of image, usually measured in frame persecond (FPS).Optical FormatOptical format is a measure of the maximum diagonal size ofan imaged object in the focal plane of an optical system. It isapproximately the diagonal length of the sensor multiplied by3/2. The result is expressed in inches and is usually (but notalways) rounded to a convenient fraction.IMAGE27www.FutureElectronics.com/Sensors