Micron presents small 1.3 megapixel CMOS sensor for cameraphones

Micron announced sample availability of a one-quarter inch optical format, 1.3 megapixel complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, known as MT9M112. Most one-quarter inch based camera-phone handsets on the market today are used with VGA resolution. The new MT9M112 enables 1.3 megapixel SXGA cameras in the same optical format and module form factor, maintaining superior image quality at a much higher resolution.

As with all Micron CMOS image sensors, the MT9M112 is equipped with Micron's proprietary low-noise, high-sensitivity DigitalClarity(TM) technology, delivering brilliant color images even under some of the poorest lighting conditions. The MT9M112 is a fully integrated system-on-chip (SoC) sensor, incorporating additional logic on the device that simplifies the camera module design, related manufacturing processes, system integration, power management, and component count.

Advanced image processing features are designed directly into the MT9M112 including three channel gamma correction, lens shading correction, and color correction. Automatic features include on-the-fly auto defect correction, auto exposure, auto white balance, auto black reference, auto flicker avoidance, and auto color saturation. The camera control sequencer automates the camera's flash and video clip snapshots. Additional features include 2 by 2 pixel binning, programmable input/output slew rate, mechanical shutter support, and continuous, smooth zoom and pan, as well as day and night mode configurations.

"We are making the device extremely attractive to designers by providing a complete SoC solution," said Farhad Rostamian, director of marketing for wireless and mobile with the Micron Imaging Group. "The one-quarter inch 1.3 megapixel sensor encompasses the necessary imaging and digital signal processing technology all on one chip, requiring fewer parts and ultimately reducing design costs. Additionally, this device enables mobile phone manufacturers to simply upgrade their existing one-quarter inch VGA cameras to one-quarter inch megapixel cameras occupying the same height and footprint."

The MT9M112 is capable of 15 frames-per-second (fps) at full resolution and 30 fps in preview mode. It has a pixel size of 2.8 micron square and contains 1,280 horizontal by 1,024 vertical active pixels (standard SXGA format). Samples for this device are available now and production will commence in December of 2005.