Wilson's Websites
Because CMOS image sensors integrate several functions on a single chip, cost less, and consume less power than CCD sensors, they are expected to experience increasing popularity, particularly in applications such as PC cameras and mobile phones. But, despite the increasing popularity of CMOS devices, CCDs continue to dominate in high-margin, low-volume applications such as medical, scientific, and industrial cameras. This month, we look at some of the latest developments and products based on CCD technology.
LINEAR AND AREA ARRAYS
www.dalsa.com
On the Web site of Dalsa (Waterloo, Ont., Canada), linear and area CCD .sensors can be chosen with an on-line product selector that lets users specify sensor criteria by resolution, data rate, and frame rate. On-line technical support includes an array of primers, FAQs, application notes, and technical bulletins that help users choose the proper application-specific product.
VIDEO AND IMAGING
www.ti.com/sc/docs/msp/disp.htm
Since the invention of the charge-coupled-device (CCD) concept in 1970, Texas Instruments (Dallas, TX) has been involved in the development and manufacture of image sensors. The video- and imaging-products section of its site provides descriptions of imaging front ends, area image sensors, color palettes, and video DACs and ADCs. CCD product information includes data sheets, press releases, product tables, and sensor comparisons.
MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS
www.marconitech.com/ccds/
Since 1980, E2V Technologies (Chelmsford, England), the recent buyer of Marconi Technologies, has been manufacturing CCD sensors for astronomy, dental, medical, scientific, and industrial imaging applications. On this site, you'll find product guides, application notes, information on special-purpose CCDs, and the latest product information.
CCD SENSORS
eu.atmel.com/atmel/products/prod48.htm
Atmel (Grenoble, France) makes high-end image sensors for aerospace, medical, and industrial applications. Covering the full spectrum from x-ray to visible imaging, the company produces a range of devices with differing resolution, dynamic range, speed, and color filter performance. On its Web site, you'll find datasheets, product overviews, a product selector, and product drawings.
TAKE A PICTURE
www.kodak.com/US/en/digital/ccd/sensorsMain.shtml
Full-frame, interline, and linear solid-state image sensors are featured on the Web site of Eastman Kodak (Rochester, NY), along with product information, data-sheet download availability, application notes, and technical papers. In addition, there are article reprints and product and press-release information.
FROM X-RAY TO IR
www.fairchildimaging.com/main/products.htm
Fairchild Imaging (Milpitas, CA) offers devices that sense from x-ray to visible to VNIR, as well as custom capabilities, such as fiberoptics, color filters, and backside thinning. On the company's Web site, users can choose from five product categories that include area arrays, linear arrays, time-delay integration devices, linescan cameras, and .custom devices.
NOTHING IN SIGHT
www.sony.com/videocameras
Both linear- and area-CCD devices are listed in the product category of the Sony Electronics (Park Ridge, NJ) Web site; however, it is not a searchable index. The company's Japanese Web site (www.sony.co.jp/en/Products/SC-HP/Product_List_E/index.html) does have all the information you need.
SCIENTIFIC IMAGERS
www.site-inc.com/
Scientific Imaging Technologies (Tigard, OR) focuses on scientific-grade CCD imaging components and modules and provides both standard design and custom units. Standard CCDs range in size from a 512 × 512-pixel format for small-area imaging requirements to a 2048 × 4096-pixel, three-edge buttable imager for large-area imaging. Device formats are available as front-illuminated or thinned, back-illuminated CCDs. This site also includes data sheets for all the company's products, the latest press releases, and company contact information.