1998: Rockwell unveils CMOS image sensors
Taking advantage of 20 years of experience in advanced imaging technology developed for defense and aerospace applications, Rockwell Semiconductor Systems (Newport Beach, CA) introduced a line of CMOS image sensors in 1998, designed for digital still, video, and industrial cameras; videoconferencing; portable communications devices; and machine-vision applications. Compared with available CCD-based imagers, these CMOS image sensors offered less power, a one-rail supply, one clock, lower cost, a standard manufacturing process, and higher image quality.