New Kodak CMOS Camera Phone Sensor - Press Release

[Photo-John]

KODAK EXPANDS CMOS IMAGE SENSOR PORTFOLIO FOR CAMERA PHONE MARKET

New 1.3 Megapixel Device Leverages KODAK PIXELUX Technology for Improved Sensitivity and Performance

February 13, 2006 - Barcelona, Spain – Eastman Kodak Company continues to expand its portfolio of CMOS image sensors for mass-market consumer applications with the release of a new 1.3-megapixel CMOS image sensor targeted at the high-volume camera phone market. The KODAK KAC-01301 image sensor expands Kodak’s existing portfolio of CMOS imagers, which provides manufacturers a range of solutions designed specifically for high-volume markets such as digital still cameras and mobile devices. The new product further demonstrates Kodak’s commitment to developing next generation, cost effective CMOS image sensor devices that provide the image quality currently available from CCD image sensors, while taking advantage of the power, integration, and cost benefits traditionally associated with CMOS technology.

“As the use of camera phones expands throughout the world, consumers continue to look for product choices that offer increasing levels of image quality and functionality at affordable prices," said Chris McNiffe, general manger of Kodak’s Image Sensor Solutions group. “With the KAC-01301, we are expanding our portfolio to provide camera phone manufacturers a new, cost effective image sensor with outstanding image quality and performance for the 1.3-megapixel product tier. Kodak remains committed to developing and offering a comprehensive portfolio of CMOS image sensors for high-volume consumer markets such as camera phones, leveraging the technological innovation and advancement for which Kodak is well known.”

The KODAK KAC-01301 was optimized specifically to enable cost-effective designs in next-generation mobile phones. With the rapid growth of imaging enabled phones, designers of mobile baseband and graphics processors are integrating basic image processing functions into the core components of the phone's design. The KAC-01301 leverages this architecture by outputting raw, unprocessed data, thereby reducing the sensor’s overall size and cost. In addition, the extremely wide optical chief ray acceptance angle of the KAC-01301 enables construction of imaging modules with very low profiles, supporting the continuing trend toward smaller components within mobile devices.

The KODAK KAC-01301 was optimized specifically to enable cost-effective designs in next-generation mobile phones. With the rapid growth of imaging enabled phones, designers of mobile baseband and graphics processors are integrating basic image processing functions into the core components of the phone's design. The KAC-01301 leverages this architecture by outputting
raw, unprocessed data, thereby reducing the sensor’s overall size and cost. In addition, the extremely wide optical chief ray acceptance angle of the KAC-01301 enables construction of imaging modules with very low profiles, supporting the continuing trend toward smaller components within mobile devices.

This new product joins two existing KODAK image sensors designed for the consumer image device market that also leverage PIXELUX technology:

• KAC-3100 – a 3.1-megapixel image sensor designed for camera phone applications requiring high resolution and outstanding imaging performance
  
• KAC-5000 – a 5-megapixel image sensor targeted at the digital still camera and digital video applications

In addition to expanding its existing family of products, Kodak continues the development of its next generation platform for small-pixel CMOS image sensors, based on the continuing evolution of Kodak’s pixel architecture, as well as new system-on-chip components which can be integrated into these devices. These advances will allow designers to more broadly leverage the benefits of CMOS technology through a new class of small-pixel imaging devices designed for consumer applications. Image sensors based on these new platforms are expected to begin sampling in the first half of 2006.

The KAC-01301 image sensor is expected to sample in Q2 of 2006 and is the latest addition to Kodak’s extensive and growing line of image sensors, delivering the core technology that drives the most advanced developments in digital imaging applications. A pioneer in image sensors, Kodak develops, manufactures and markets both CCD and CMOS image sensors for applications ranging from satellite and medical imaging applications to digital cameras and machine vision.

For more information on Kodak’s entire image sensor product line, please visit www.kodak.com/go/imagers

[Photo-John]

Maybe you're wondering why I posted a press release about a camera phone sensor. It's not so you can start planning for your next camera phone purchase. It's because camera phones are driving digital imaging sensor technology right now. Currently, there's a lot more profit in camera phones than compact digital cameras. Everyone owns a camera phone - you get them for free when you get a new cellular phone plan. And since camera phones require much smaller sensors, a lot of R&D money is being put into making smaller sensors.

Even if it isn't readily apparent, camera phone sensor technology will eventually trickle up, into compact digital cameras, and even digital SLRs. Smaller sensors and pixels generally mean more noise and other digital artifacting. But with so much money available making camera phone components, sensor manufacturers are doing really impressive work with much smaller pixels.

Do you want a camera phone sensor in your next digital camera? Probably not. But the technology that they've developed to make a 1.3-megapixel camera phone CMOS sensor will likely make a future 8-megapixel compact camera have better image quality and fit in your pocket better.

[SmartWombat]

It will also impact on video imaging as well, I think.
Particularly for small high resolution cameras suitable for clinical investigation work.
Where now you have expensive optics between the sensor and the patient, it may be possible to produce high resolution internal imagers that will fit into gastroscopes, endoscopes, perhaps even naso-pharyngeal tubes - all at useful resolution.

I go back to the 128x128 x-Ray CT brain scanners (that by today's standards are little more than brain detectors) where we thought 256x256x256 grey levels was an improvement in clinical diagnostic systems !