APRIL 1--1st Silicon (Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia) and UniqueICs (Russia), a subsidiary of Kedah Wafer Emas (KWE; Malaysia), have announced completion of color CMOS photoreceiver cells that will be manufactured using 1st Silicon's 0.25-μm standard CMOS mixed-signal process. The cell technology allows sensors to receive three colors from one pixel using the principle of color separation on internal energy barriers. This technique does not use common organic color filters or microlenses. Using a set of photoreceiver cells manufactured in 0.25-μm process technology, companies can create matrix sensor structures of up to 4 Mpixels. The applications for photoreceivers are digital video and digital still cameras, CCTV, biometric identification systems, and toys.
"Sensors are one of technology's most promising new products because they benefit a myriad of products designed for lifestyle applications, as well as for business and security products," said John Nelson, CEO of 1st Silicon. "We enter this exciting market with rich insight and experience gained over our collaboration with UniqueICs."
UniqueICs is now offering sample production of 1.3-Mpixel sensors, with volume production planned for this spring. The 3-Mpixel sensor is scheduled for volume production in the fourth quarter. UniqueICs has submitted several patents for this photoreceiver technology. Following current production, 1st Silicon plans to continue collaborating with UniqueICs to migrate the color photoreceivers to its 0.18-μm technology for production of 4- to 10-Mpixel photoreceivers.
CourtesyLaser Focus World, www.laser-focus.com.
