Press Release: Samsung unveils 7.2 Megapixel CMOS Image Sensor
Samsung Electronics announced that it has developed
a 7.2 Megapixel CMOS image sensor (CIS). It is the world's first 7.2M-pixel CIS
for compact cameras with the smallest pixel size. Higher resolution CIS chips
reflect industry-wide attention on CIS technology as a promising new imaging
technology as well as a feasible replacement of charge-coupled device (CCD),
especially in mobile applications such as camera phones, digital cameras and
digital camcorders. This announcement was made at a press conference hosted by
Samsung Electronics' semiconductor business president and CEO, Dr. Chang-Gyu
Hwang in Seoul. Samsung's 7.2M-pixel CIS has a 1/2-inch lens aperture and a
2.25um pixel size.
Copper technology
The proprietary pixel structure enhances the
fill factor over 55 percent and delivers high signal to noise ratio. Copper
technology has been used for interconnects, and the resulting reduced pixel
height gives high focusing efficiency and sensitivity. The overall performance
is comparable to, or even exceeds, CCD quality.
Samsung CMOS image sensor
The CMOS image sensors are achieving broader
presence in today's mobile applications as the industry acknowledges the
benefits and advances of the CMOS-based technology. After announcing the
5M-pixel CIS last June, Samsung's 7.2M-pixel underscores the high potential and
value CIS technology can deliver for future high resolution and quality imaging.
Supporting the low power requirement in mobile or portable applications, the new
CIS chip performs at the same level and operates at a power level that is a mere
10 percent of its charge-coupled device (CCD) counterpart. The lower power
consumption and price competitiveness makes the CIS an attractive solution for
image devices now being used on mobile phones and other portable digital
appliances such as cameras and camcorders. Industry research firm Gartner
Dataquest predicts that the global CIS market will increase from US$2.4 billion
in 2004 to US$3.2 billion this year and surge to US$5.6 billion by 2008.
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global
leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital
convergence technologies with 2004 parent company sales of US$55.2 billion and
net income of US$10.3 billion. Employing approximately 113,000 people in over 90
offices in 48 countries, the company consists of five main business units:
Digital Appliance Business, Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor
Business and Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized as one of the
fastest growing brands, Samsung Electronics is the world's largest producer of
color monitors, color TVs, memory chips and TFT-LCDs.
Posted: Mon - September 12, 2005 at 08:27 AM