National Semiconductor's CMOS Sensor Family Brings Unprecedented Advances To Digital Imaging Products
Seven New Single Chip Monochrome and Color CMOS Image Sensors Feature The Highest Level of Performance for a Vast Array of Both Consumer And Industrial Applications
SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- National
Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE: NSM - News) today expanded its CMOS imaging
portfolio with the introduction of seven new CMOS sensors for today"s rapidly
growing digital imaging market. The new image sensors provide a diverse
choice of features, offering low power dissipation and the best dynamic range
and light sensitivity available in the market today. The monochrome and color
sensors in the LM96XX family are optimized for a variety of imaging
applications in wireless access devices, entry-level digital cameras and
industrial products, including security cameras and scanners.
"National has been an innovator in the image sensor market since its
inception," said Joe Montalbo, vice president for National"s Custom Solutions
Group. "Our new image sensors boast features that are first in the industry,
including the highest sensitivity and frame rate required for high speed
motion detection, and the widest dynamic and industrial temperature ranges
demanded for surveillance and automotive applications."
"The imaging market is growing tremendously," said Brian O"Rourke, senior
analyst, Converging Markets and Technologies Group for In-Stat MDR. "We"re
seeing some customers who traditionally used CCD image sensors transitioning
to CMOS sensors like the ones National is introducing because the image
quality has improved. National"s broad new product portfolio and their
ability to customize will allow them to serve a wide variety of customers and
new applications."
In addition to web and digital still camera applications, the sensitivity,
image quality and integration capabilities of National"s CMOS sensor family
are contributing to the development of new applications. For example, digital
pens featuring "Anoto functionality" are turning handwritten notes, doodles
and sketches into digital images. "Anoto is glad to work with National as
technology provider because National"s technologies and level of support can
make a difference to digital pens, enabling Anoto functionality," said
Christer Fahraeus, CEO for Anoto Group AB.
Also new are "intelligent" door opening systems made possible by WeSpot,
Anoto"s smart camera development group. WeSpot recently signed an agreement
with Optex, Asia"s largest manufacturer of door opening applications, where
Optex will switch to vision technology and adopt WeSpot"s Smart Door Opener
for automatic doors. "National"s LM9618 image sensor makes it possible to
minimize system cost and increase the performance in today"s high tech,
intelligent door opener applications," said Noroz Akhlagi, Chief Scientific
Officer for WeSpot.
Lundinova AB, an imaging design house in Lund, Sweden, is partnering with
National in developing ARM7 processor-based reference designs that use
National"s LM9647 and LM9648 CMOS image sensors. "The combination of
Lundinova"s experience in software for image processing and National"s image
sensor products enabled us to develop an image pipeline with extremely good
color rendering, even in difficult light conditions," said Anders Alvin,
founder and manager for Lundinova.
Features and Benefits
Following on the success of National"s LM9627 and LM9617, the seven new
single chip image sensors are members of National"s CMOS image sensor family
of devices. Each is optimized for a wide variety of both current and future
digital imaging applications.
The highly reliable monochrome LM9618 and color LM9628 VGA CMOS image
sensors feature the widest linear and non-linear dynamic ranges and deliver
crisp images in challenging light conditions such as uneven light
distribution. Setting a new industry standard, they operate over industrial
temperature ranges and are ideal for outdoor applications including lane
tracking, collision avoidance, automobile rear-view mirrors and security
cameras.
The highly sensitive monochrome sub-QCIF (quarter common interface format)
LM9630 features pixels that yield high image quality at frame rates exceeding
600 frames per second. It operates reliably over the entire industrial
temperature range and delivers high contrast images in low light conditions.
These features are particularly important in the detection of faint patterns
or objects moving at high speed (faster than the human eye). The LM9630 is
ideal for motion detection and fast tracking in optical input devices, and
automotive and industrial applications including airbag control.
With an optical format of 1/2", the high performance 1.3 Megapixel
monochrome LM9638 and color LM9648 sensors offer very low power consumption
and provide the best low light operation of any CMOS sensor available today.
Their high performance analog front end makes them ideal for use in
applications where high quality image capture is paramount. Other
applications include dual mode and security cameras, clip-on and embedded
cameras for PDA"s and cell phones, and biometrics.
The optical format for the monochrome LM9637 and color LM9647 VGA CMOS
image sensors is 1/4". Their architecture, pixel design and color filters are
identical to the LM9638 and LM9648, which allow customers to reuse a single
reference design with up to four different sensors. Applications include
clip-on and embedded cameras for PDAs and cell phones, dual mode cameras,
security cameras, biometrics and 2-D barcode scanners.
Pricing and Availability
Sample kits for the new CMOS image sensors are available now. The LM9618,
LM9628, LM9638 and LM9648, all in a 48-pin CLCC package, will be in production
in June. In high volume quantities, the LM9618 and LM9628 are priced at
$11.40, and the LM9638 and LM9648 are $13.50. The LM9630, LM9637 and LM9647,
all in a 32-pin CLCC package, will be released to production in July. In high
volume quantities, the LM9637 and LM9647 are priced at $7.00 and the LM9630 is
$8.00.
Evaluation kits and interchangeable headboards are available for each
image sensor along with four different lens kits to aid the engineer in
selecting the optimum sensor for their specific application. All are
available through distribution or online. Further information is available at
http://www.national.com/appinfo/imaging/ .
About National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor is the premier analog company driving the
information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of-the-art digital
technology, the company is focused on the fast growing markets for wireless
handsets; displays; information infrastructure, and information appliances.
With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of
$2.1 billion for its last fiscal year and has about 9,800 employees worldwide.
Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web
at www.national.com.
NOTE: National is a registered trademark of National Semiconductor
Corporation. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders.
Reader Information
National Semiconductor
Design Support Group
800-272-9959
http://www.national.com
