PR95088

SHANGHAI, Mar. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

According to the latest research by Counterpoint, mobile phones are expected to

account for 71.4% of the total global CMOS image sensor (CIS) market revenue in

2022. Flagship smartphones are chasing DSLR-like shooting performance. Image

sensors as core imaging components have become the key area of  focus for

mobile phone camera performance breakthroughs, with 50MP CIS being the most

popular. As the current mainstream configuration for flagship phone main

cameras, the 50MP image sensors are forecast to have a solid life cycle for a

long time in the future.

Recently, SmartSens, an advanced CMOS image sensor supplier, launched its first

50MP ultra-high resolution 1.0ìm pixel size image sensor new product ¯SC550XS.

The new product adopts the advanced 22nm HKMG Stack process as well as

SmartSens' multiple proprietary technologies, including SmartClarity(R)-2

technology, SFCPixel(R) technology and PixGain HDR(R) technology to enable

excellent imaging performance. In addition, it can achieve 100% all pixel all

direction auto focus coverage via AllPix ADAF(R) technology and is equipped

with MIPI C-PHY 3.0Gsps high-speed data transmission interface. The product is

designed to address the requirements of flagship smartphone main camera in

terms of night vision full-color imaging, high dynamic range, and low power

consumption.

Innovative technologies enable premium imaging performance

SC550XS has a 50-megapixel ultra-high resolution with a small pixel size at

just 1.0 µm. Based on the advanced 22nm HKMG Stack process, the sensor combines

SmartSens' unique SFCPixel(R) technology and High Gain in PixGain technology

with 2x2 SmartQCell(TM) micro-lens design to further improve the light

acquisition rate of a single pixel, making it to have superior sensitivity

performance under the same specifications. These technologies, coupled with low

noise reading circuit design and upgraded color process allow the sensor to

present a movie-like image quality in night shooting.

Multiple HDR technologies such as PixGain HDR(R) are supported

The SC550XS integrates SmartSens' innovative PixGain HDR(R) technology through

the combination of High Gain (high conversion gain) and Low Gain (low

conversion gain) dual images under the same frame exposure, achieving

artifact-free motion capture with high-quality HDR imaging. Additionally, the

SC550XS also supports 4K 30fps video in 3-exposure Staggered HDR with up to

120dB and 60fps video in two-exposure Staggered HDR of 100dB. Hence, by means

of the combination of various high dynamic range technologies, the camera can

capture richer detail in the highlights and shadows of a scene.

AllPix ADAF(R) technology provides 100% all pixel all direction auto focus

coverage

Compared with the technology that uses part of the pixels for shooting on the

sensor as phase focus, AllPix ADAF(R) technology utilized on the SC550XS

features full pixel 2x2 SmartQCell(TM) micro-lens design—a combination of

horizontal and vertical pixel binning to reach 100 percent all pixel all

direction auto focus coverage. Therefore, it is capable of offering accurate

and fast autofocus in dark scenes, while optimizing autofocus performance on

objects with blurry outlines.

Better performance comes with lower power consumption

The SC550XS uses an advanced 22nm HKMG Stack process that offers faster device

speed and operates at a lower voltage than the 40nm process employed in the

industry's previous generation of main camera CIS, allowing image sensors to

operate at higher frame rate and lower power consumption. At the same

performance level, the power consumption of the 22nm process can be reduced by

30%. Furthermore, benefited from SmartSens' innovative low power consumption

circuit design, the operating power consumption of SC550XS attains a

significant 43% decrease compared with similar products in this industry,

providing extended battery life for high-end smartphones. 2x2 SmartQCell(TM)

micro-lens design fused with the upgraded pixel process enables the QE (quantum

efficiency) of the SC550XS to reach 82%, resulting in excellent low-light scene

shooting performance.

Additionally, beside similar products in the industry, the SC550XS obtains 20%

increase in FWC, and 20% and 40% reduction in read noise and FPN, respectively,

which further advances the delicate texture of imaging while maintaining

premium low-light performance.

Dr. Yaowu Mo, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at SmartSens said:

"SC550XS is our high-resolution, high-performance milestone product for

flagship mobile phone applications which incorporates several SmartSens core

patented technologies for high-end image sensors including SFCPixel(R)

technology, SmartQCell(TM) micro-lens design, AllPix ADAF(R) technology and

multi-row parallel readout technology, and also takes advantage of advanced

22nm HKMG process, allowing it to support up to 50MP/8K 30fps Bayer RAW high

speed output with excellent dark light results as well as color reproduction

and realize ultra-low power consumption. Multiple hardware-level image

processing and phase focus algorithms are also integrated on-chip, enabling

high quality 50MP/8K/4K video output with high dynamic range and real-time

phase focus.

"In terms of high-speed transmission interface circuit design, we have broken

through the voltage limit under 0.9V power supply, and innovatively achieved

full compatibility with the C-PHY/D-PHY interface protocol to meet the needs of

high-resolution, high-frame-rate video transmission. In addition, as the

current 5G radio frequency interference in mobile phones is becoming more and

more serious, we not only reduce the radiation of the image sensor itself

through spread spectrum technology to obtain better EMI performance, but also

support the C-PHY output swing to be greatly adjustable, further improving its

own anti-interference capability to ensure normal data reception at the module

end.

"We hope that this ingenious work that integrates multiple core technologies of

SmartSens can provide customers with better photo and video results and create

an imaging system with optimized performance."

X represents both the unknown mystery and the infinite possibilities of the

future, as well as the Roman numeral 10. As a landmark product for the tenth

anniversary, SC550XS strives to empower high-end mobile phone camera

applications with advanced product performance. It will start sampling in Q2

2022, and is expected to achieve mass production in Q3 2022. Customized

specification products based on the same process and technology platform are

also welcomed. For more information on SmartSens SC550XS, please contact

SmartSens sales.

About SmartSens

SmartSens Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. is a high-performance CMOS image

sensor (CIS) chip design company. It is headquartered in Shanghai and has

research centers in many cities around the world.

SmartSens has been dedicated to pushing forward the frontier of imaging

technology and growing in popularity among customers since it was established.

SmartSens' CMOS image sensors provide advanced imaging solutions for a broad

range of areas such as surveillance, machine vision, automotive and cellphone

cameras.

SmartSens is committed to continuous innovation of products and fueling growth

in numerous industries by delivering a more comprehensive portfolio of image

sensors.

Homepage: https://www.smartsenstech.com/en/

Source: SmartSens Technology

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