Aptina Introduces 18MP BSI Sensor to Compact DSC Market

SAN JOSE, Calif. & COLOGNE, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aptina, a global provider of CMOS imaging solutions enabling Imaging Everywhere™, announced today the release of the AR1820HS digital camera image sensor for the consumer market. The new sensor targets high-end compact digital cameras as well as high-end consumer DV applications. The AR1820HS delivers stunning 18-megapixel high resolution images with a new high-performance 1.25-micron backside illuminated (BSI) pixel, fitting in the 1/2.3-inch mainstream DSC optical format.

“The AR1820HS image sensor and Aptina’s A-PixHSTM Technology provide OEMs with the combination of exceptional image quality and the high speed capture features needed to create a compelling new generation of consumer camera products”

The AR1820HS utilizes Aptina™ A-PixHS^TM technology, which brings Aptina’s BSI pixel technology together with advanced high-speed sensor architecture to enable a new class of high performance cameras. A-PixHS™ technology provides high quantum efficiency, low noise, and low power consumption, enabling uncompromised image quality for both still images and Full HD video.

“The AR1820HS image sensor and Aptina’s A-PixHS^TM Technology provide OEMs with the combination of exceptional image quality and the high speed capture features needed to create a compelling new generation of consumer camera products,” said Sandor Barna, Vice President and General Manager of Aptina’s Consumer Camera business.

The rich feature set and flexibility of the AR1820HS sensor allows cameras to implement a wide array of capture modes. The native 18MP resolution can be read out at up to 24fps, enabling high-resolution, and high-speed burst still image capture capability. In video modes, the sensor can output a 16:9 aspect ratio, full field-of-view 14MP at 30fps and a binned 8MP at 60fps. This oversampled image readout enables superior resolution, noise performance, and cleaner overall video. Additionally, over-sampled video provides extra area for electronic image stabilization (EIS) and steady digital zooming. The AR1820HS pixel summing capability provides the camera designer with the option of faster 1080p60 and 1080p120 video modes, or lower power consumption video options.

The AR1820HS high-speed output is enabled by the Aptina 8-lane HiSPi^TM serial interface (800Mbps per lane). HiSPi was developed by Aptina for faster data throughput associated with its sensors. HiSPi is an open access, scalable technology that enables 1080p/60 fps performance (and beyond) and has been adopted by many of Aptina’s business partners to meet the challenges of high-speed, low-power consumption data transfer.

The AR1820HS extends Aptina’s growing portfolio of DSC and DVC image sensor solutions and follows the success the MT9F002 14MP sensor has had with Tier-1 consumer DSC, DVC, and Sportscam markets. The AR1820HS delivers improved low ISO speed (outdoor) performance, high-ISO speed (low light) performance, lower structured noise, and better angular response than the MT9F002 14MP sensor.

Aptina™ A-PixHS™

A-PixHS™ technology brings together Aptina’s backside illuminated (BSI) pixel technology and an advanced high speed sensor architecture to enable a new class of high performance cameras. The BSI pixel maximizes the efficiency with which the light is captured by inverting the sensor to put the photo sensitive region closer to the lens and by implementing advanced engineering techniques found in A-Pix^TM technology. The advanced high-speed sensor architecture leverages the speed and sensitivity of the BSI pixel to enable fast, vivid video and image capture.

Availability

Aptina’s AR1820HS image sensor is currently sampling in limited volumes and will be in mass production in Q3CY13.

The AR1820HS image sensor will be available for customers to view, by invitation only, during the 2012 Photokina show in Cologne, Germany, September 18-23, 2012.

About Aptina

Aptina is a global provider of CMOS imaging solutions that enable Imaging Everywhere™. Using performance enhancing technologies like Aptina A-Pix™Aptina A-PixHS™ , DR-Pix™ and award winning MobileHDR™, Aptina has created a market-leading portfolio of image sensor products found in leading consumer electronics like smartphones, tablets, laptops, digital and video cameras, as well as applications in surveillance, automotive, medical, video conferencing, and gaming. Aptina drives innovation in the market with products like the 14MP MT9F002 used in the AWARE-2 gigapixel multi-array camera, the AR0331 surveillance image sensor, and the MT9H004 16MP APS-C DSLR camera sensor. Privately held, Aptina’s investors include Riverwood Capital, TPG Capital and Micron Technology. For additional information on Aptina visit www.aptina.com.

©2012 Aptina Imaging Corporation. All rights reserved. Information is subject to change without notice. Aptina, the Aptina logo, A-Pix, DR-Pix, MobileHDR, HiSPi and Imaging Everywhere are trademarks of Aptina Imaging Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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