Photobit launches 240-frame/s, 4-Mpixel CMOS image sensor

SEPTEMBER. 11--Photobit Technology Corp. (Pasadena, CA; www.photobit.com) has introduced the PB-MV40, a 4-Mpixel CMOS image sensor. The sensor captures images at speeds up to 240 frames/s at full resolution, resulting in a throughput of 1 Gbyte/s. The PB-MV40 further combines high resolution with imaging speeds suitable for a wide range of applications, including electronics inspection, automotive crash testing, microscopy, and motion-picture special effects. A camera system based on this sensor can record an event with a series of images taken at a high frame rate that can be viewed at lower speeds.

The PB-MV40 compares favorably with CCDs in two very important categories: speed and price. CCDs that offer the same 4 M resolution run up to only 25 frames/s. CCDs of this resolution can cost three times as much--the PB-MV40 sells for less than $1000. In addition, the PB-MV40 makes frame rates of greater than 2000 frames/s possible through partial scan.

Features include on-chip, 10-bit analog-to-digital converters outputting monochrome or color digital video in 2352 x 1728-pixel format, a 4:3 aspect ratio, at 0--240 frames/s. The PB-MV40 is designed with a 7-μm square active pixel, has a digital responsivity of 2500 bits per lux second and a powerful open architecture that provides the camera designer access to internal sensor operations. Frame rate, integration time, windowing function, and other parameters are adjusted via a simple digital interface to suit specific applications.