Diagonal 9.04 mm (Type 1/1.8) 5.13M-Pixel CCD Image Sensor for High-Resolution Digital Still Cameras ICX452AQ ICX452AQF The needs for higher pixel counts and further miniaturization are increasing in the digital still camera market that has been experiencing rapid and continuous growth for several years. ■ ICX452AQ: Primary color filters, DIP ICX452AQF: Primary color filters, SOP ■ Diagonal 9.04 mm (Type 1/1.8), effective 5.13M pixels (2616H × 1960V) Sony has now developed the ICX452AQ/AQF diagonal 9.04 mm (Type 1/1.8) 5.13M-pixel CCD image sensor to respond to these needs. ■ Three-field readout method ■ High sensitivity: 235 mV (G signal) ■ High saturation signal level: 500 mV The ICX452AQ/AQF takes full advantage of the latest semiconductor fabrication technologies and achieves not only the high resolution of 5M pixels, but also better sensitivity and saturation signal level characteristics than the ICX406AQ, which shares the same optical system size. The ICX452AQ/AQF is a diagonal 9.04 mm (Type 1/1.8), 5.13M-pixel CCD image sensor that was developed for highresolution digital still cameras. In conjunction with a mechanical shutter, this sensor can acquire high-resolution images. Since this product has the same image diagonal as the conventional ICX406AQ, a 5Mpixel digital still camera can be implemented without changes to the lens optical system. Table 1 lists the device structure of the ICX452AQ/AQF and table 2 lists its imaging characteristics. Extensive Lineup Figure 1 shows Sony's digital still camera CCD lineup. Sony supports customer needs with its extensive product line that, starting with the ICX202 developed in 1997, covers image sizes from Type 2/3 to Type 1/3.6 with pixel counts from 1.25M to 5M pixels. The newly-developed ICX452AQ/AQF can be seen as both a reduced size version of the ICX282 Type 2/3 5M-pixel sensor, and as an increased pixel count version of the ICX406 Type 1/1.8 4M-pixel sensor. As such, Sony is confident that it will contribute to even further growth of the consumer digital still camera market. High Saturation Signal Level V O I C We developed this new Type 1/1.8 5M-pixel CCD to respond to market demands for further miniaturization and higher pixel counts. The idea behind this product is to enable miniature digital still cameras to achieve even better picture quality. I strongly recommend that you consider developing a digital still camera that can take advantage of the characteristics of this device. E To increase the dynamic range even further, the ICX452AQ/AQF adopts the same three-field readout system used in the ICX432DQ/DQF. This allows the area occupied by the photodiode in the unit pixel to be increased over that of conventional Sony products, and achieves a saturation signal of 500 mV. High Sensitivity In addition to the fabrication technology used for the on-chip microlenses, Sony has optimized the lens shape and adopted thinfilm primary color filters to improve the optical condensing characteristics. This improved technology allows the ICX452AQ/AQF to achieve a sensitivity of 235 mV, despite the 2.775 µm diagonal unit pixel. Timing Generator IC Sony provides the CXD3619R drive timing generator IC, which includes vertical and horizontal drivers. This IC supports both high frame rate readout mode and AF mode. ■ Table 1 Device Structure Item Type 2/3 Pixel count ICX452 ICX282 5M Type 1/2 or 1/1.8 ICX406 4M Type 1/2.7 ICX252 ICX432 3M ICX224 2M ICX452AQ Diagonal 9.04 mm (Type 1/1.8) Image size ICX284 ICX434 Type 1/3.2 Transfer method Frame readout interline transfer method Readout method Three field readout method Vertical register transfer clock signals 8 signal lines Total number of pixels Approx. 5.25M (2668H × 1970V) Number of effective pixels Approx. 5.13M (2616H × 1960V) Number of active pixels Approx. 5.09M (2608H × 1952V) Number of recommended recording pixels (Aspect ratio: 4:3) Approx. 5.04M (2592H × 1944V) 8.23 mm (H) × 6.68 mm (V) Chip size ICX232 Type 1/3.6 ICX202 2.775 µm (H) × 2.775 µm (V) Square pixels Unit cell size 1M Horizontal drive frequency Package 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 24.3 MHz 20-pin plastic DIP/SOP Year (FY) ■ Figure 1 Digital Still Camera CCD Lineup 6 5 G B 3 2 G B R G R G G B G B R G R G G B G B R G R G G B G B R G R G Vφ1 Vφ2 Vφ3A Vφ3B 4 1 (Note) 16 17 18 19 20 VL Hφ1A Hφ2A φRG 15 CSUB VDD 14 φSUB 13 Hφ1B 12 Hφ2B 11 VOUT Horizontal register Note: The small squares ( ■ Figure 2 ICX452 Block Diagram ) are photosensors. ICX452AQ Remarks Sensitivity (G sensitivity) 235 mV 3200K, 706 cd/m2, F5.6, 1/30 s accumulation Saturation signal 500 mV During frame readout Frame readout mode –90 dB None when a mechanical shutter is used High frame rate readout mode –77 dB Smear 7 Vφ4 Vφ5A Vφ5B Vφ6 8 Item Frame rate 9 Vertical register 10 GND GND ■ Table 2 Image Sensor Characteristics Frame readout mode 3.75 frames/s High frame rate readout mode 30 frames/s (NTSC mode) 25 frames/s (PAL mode) AF mode 60 frames/s (NTSC mode) 50 frames/s (PAL mode)