Evaluation Guide: Sony’s Latest Sensors for High-End Machine Vision

Sony Semiconductor Solutions has recently upgraded its portfolio of image sensors for high-end Machine Vision and ITS applications. The 2nd generation CMOS Global Shutter sensors with Pregius™ technology, the IMX387, IMX367 and IMX342, come with resolutions between 16 and 31 Megapixels, speeds up to 56fps at full resolution and equipped with Sony’s SLVS-EC high-speed interface running up to 19Gbps. The three share a pixel pitch of 3.45µm, and provide excellent performance and high sensitivity.

For automated production lines, and speed enforcement and traffic monitoring, imaging cameras not only must provide excellent resolution and image quality, but also high-speed bandwidth and flexible capture modes. All these criteria are easily handled by these latest Sony image sensors. The IMX387 offers 16.88 Megapixels at a frame rate of 56fps, with the IMX367 providing 19.66 Megapixels at 39fps. The IMX342 provides the largest resolution of the three with 31.49 Megapixels at 35fps and reaches a picture quality equivalent to CCD sensors. All three imagers are available in color and mono, provide high sensitivity, and have low dark current and PLS for outstanding still pictures or video streams. They all include 8/10/12-bit A/D converter, ROI control, pixel sampling and binning modes, and all utilize Sony’s flagship SLVS-EC interface, enabling data throughputs of up to 19Gbps at full capacity.

The table below compares the features of these sensors:

Table 1: Features of the Sony sensors for high-end Machine Vision and ITS

Sibel Yorulmaz-Cokugur, sensor specialist at FRAMOS, says: “Factory Automation, zero-error inspection and traffic monitoring environments demand high-performance sensors. Sony and its 2^nd and 3^rd generation of CMOS Global Shutter sensors are perfect candidates for demanding and diversified requirements, offering top-quality proven technology. These three sensors: IMX387, IMX367 and IMX342, shows in the table above how customers can benefit from a family of devices with high-resolution, high-speed and flexible capturing modes.”

Industry and product experts at FRAMOS are available to support customers with the integration of these new sensors in their specific applications and projects. In addition, FRAMOS provides support services for development, customization, and logistics with evaluation samples that are ready-to-ship. Everything a vision engineer needs to quickly and easily evaluate and integrate these sensors into their vision systems.