Progressive Scan 2.04M-Pixel Diagonal 6.72 mm (Type 1/2.7) Digital Still Camera CCD ICX454DQ ICX454DQF The trend towards diversification in the digital still camera market is accelerating. In addition to the current ICX284 Series (frame readout 2.02M-pixel diagonal 6.64 mm (Type 1/2.7) color CCDs), Sony has now developed the new ICX454DQ and ICX454DQF progressive scan color CCDs. Since these devices adopt a progressive scan method, they allow the use of high-speed shutters and enable system simplification, end product miniaturization, and thinner form factors and respond to a wide range of market needs. The ICX454DQ and ICX454DQF are diagonal 6.72 mm (Type 1/2.7), 2.04M– pixel CCD image sensors that were developed for digital still cameras. Table 1 shows the device structure of the ICX454DQ and ICX454DQF. Progressive Scan CCD Since these devices can output all the pixel signals from the same exposure independently and sequentially, only simple signal processing is required and a simple system structure can be used. Furthermore, these devices provide an electronic shutter that supports imaging at 1/1000s and even shorter times, and thus are optimal for cameras for sports photography and similar applications. V O I C In developing these products we aimed for a balanced feature set to create a CCD that would be easy to use in the increasingly diverse digital still camera market. I am quite satisfied that these products meet those goals, and feel it was worth the effort. I strongly recommend that you consider these CCDs for your next camera product. E ■ ICX454DQ: Primary color filters, 18-pin DIP package ICX454DQF: Primary color filters, 18-pin SOP package ■ Progressive scan CCDs ■ Diagonal 6.72 mm (Type 1/2.7) 2.04M effective pixels (1648H × 1240V) ■ High sensitivity: 330 mV (G signal) ■ High frame rate readout modes (Approx. 30 frames/s, approx. 60 frames/s) Timing Generator IC High Sensitivity Sony optimized the pixel pattern and shapes of the on-chip microlenses to achieve the high sensitivity of 330 mV despite these devices having a small 3.275 µm square unit pixel. (See table 2.) These devices adopt RGB mosaic filters for superlative color reproduction. High Frame Rate Readout Modes These devices can provide 30 and 60 frames/s outputs by selecting the number of vertical pixels read out. These modes are useful for verifying the image in an LCD finder or recording a video signal. (See figure 1.) Along with these devices, Sony also provides the CXD3618R timing generator IC that includes on-chip vertical drivers and supports high frame rate readout. (See figure 2.) * Wfine CCD and the Wfine logo are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. Represents a CCD adopting progressive scan, primary color filter and square pixel. 2/8 line readout mode (300 lines of output) Progressive scan mode 4/16 line readout mode (150 lines of output) 16 (C) G B 16 (C) G B 16 (C) G B 15 (C) R G 15 (C) R G 15 (C) R G 14 (A) G B 14 (A) G B 14 (A) G B 13 (C) R G 13 (C) R G 13 (C) R G 12 (B) G B 12 (B) G B 12 (B) G B 11 (C) R G 11 (C) R G 11 (C) R G 10 (B) G B 10 (B) G B 10 (B) G B 9 (A) R G 9 (A) R G 9 (A) R G 8 (C) G B 8 (C) G B 8 (C) G B 7 (C) R G 7 (C) R G 7 (C) R G 6 (A) G B 6 (A) G B 6 (A) G B 5 (B) R G 5 (B) R G 5 (B) R G 4 (C) G B 4 (C) G B 4 (C) G B 3 (B) R G 3 (B) R G 3 (B) R G 2 (C) G B 2 (C) G B 2 (C) G B 1 (A) R G 1 (A) R G 1 (A) R G VOUT VOUT VOUT Note: Blacked out portions in the diagram are pixels that are not read out. ■ Figure 1 ICX454DQ/DQF Readout Modes ■ Table 1 Device Structure CCD ICX454DQ/DQF Item Sample-and-hold circuit A/D converter Image size Format Transfer method TG/V-driver CXD3618R Approx. 2.11M (1690H × 1250V) Number of effective pixels Approx. 2.04M (1648H × 1240V) Number of active pixels Approx. 2.02M (1640H × 1232V) Unit cell size Horizontal drive frequency Package ■ Figure 2 ICX454DQ/DQF System Block Diagram ■ Table 2 Image Sensor Characteristics Item Sensitivity (G signal) Saturation signal Smear (F/5.6) Frame rate Progressive scan mode 2/8 line readout mode 4/16 line readout mode Remarks ICX454DQ/DQF 330 mV 3200K, 706 cd/m2, F/5.6, 1/30 s accumulation 400 mV Ta = 60°C –90 dB V/10 method 8.563 frames/s 29.97 frames/s 59.94 frames/s 4:3 Progressive scan interline transfer method Total number of pixels Chip size System controller ICX454DQ/DQF Diagonal 6.72 mm (Type 1/2.7) 6.38 mm (H) × 5.26 mm (V) 3.275 µm (H) × 3.275 µm (V) 22.5 MHz 18-pin plastic DIP/SOP