CMOS Image Sensors to Take a Giant Step Over CCD Technology

According to the report CMOS Image Sensors Technologies & Markets 2010 Report image sensors have come a long way since the first introduction of CCD (charge-coupled device) sensor technology in the 1990′s. They jumped in the 2000′s with the introduction of CMOS (complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor) sensor technology which gave birth to the low cost, high volume camera phone market.

Image sensors are now part of our everyday life: from cell-phone cameras, to notebook webcams, digital cameras, video camcorders to security and surveillance systems. In the future, new markets are also emerging such as sensors for medical applications, automotive safety features but also gaming and home TV webcams.

The 285 page report states that CMOS image sensors are on the verge of making another giant step over CCD technology this year. And Japanese imaging companies seem to be leading the way in this area. Sony made the first step last year by introducing its CMOS BSI sensor technology. The Japanese electronics giant is now mass producing the CMOS BSI sensor in its newest video camcorders and digital still cameras. CMOS sensor technology will continue to expand and finally take the advantage in the remaining CCD application space as soon as 300mm infrastructure will build-up in Asia and BSI CMOS technology will be made available.

The report says, in the high-end camera phone market segment, disruptive new camera module concepts including auto-focus, zoom and image stabilization features will be developed and introduced to the market.

In the ultra-competitive low-end market, the race toward Wafer Level Cameras and digital autofocus features such as eDoF (extended Depth of Focus) will enable the few remaining image sensor players to preserve their margins in this aggressive and cost driven market.

Future CIS markets such as medical and automotive sensor applications will re-use extensively all these newly developed concepts (BSI, WLC, digital zoom) plus will need new features to be developed such as High Dynamic Range and NIR capability.

CMOS Image Sensors Technologies & Markets 2010 Report

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