On-chip processing and new shutter techniques increase high-speed imaging opportunities.
Yibing Wang and Eric R. Fossum, Photobit Corp.
Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) active-pixel image sensors have found application in areas such as videoconferencing, security surveillance and machine vision. Active-pixel CMOS devices use less power and cost less than traditional charge-coupled device detectors, while producing comparable imagery.
Recent advances in active-pixel CMOS devices have made them interesting for high-speed imaging applications as well. High-speed imaging is a powerful tool for investigating fast-moving events. Applications include industrial inspection, evaluation of weapon systems, automotive crash and safety system testing, production line failure diagnosis, and research studies such as fluid dynamics, spray analysis and medical diagnostics.
Over the next five years, active-pixel CMOS detectors will achieve the same high-speed performance as traditional cameras by taking advantage of electronic freeze-frame shutter techniques.