Introduction
Global shutter sensors have a fast and high-resolution capture of the entire field of view. Each pixel on a global shutter sensor completes its exposure simultaneously. This feature allows them to freeze motion in captured images. Each pixel will not only have the same integration time, but they will start their integration at the same time across the entire sensor. This exposure and detection scenario makes this type of sensor easier to synchronize with a flash or other external event.
On the other hand, rolling shutter models begin the consecutive exposure of single rows of pixels. Every pixel row will have the same exposure time; however, the first row starts its exposure prior to the last row of the captured image. This feature makes them susceptible to motion artifacts during the image capture of moving objects. Subsequently, they are often more cost-effective and advantageous for applications with slow moving scenes, or when actions are paused momentarily.
It is important to consider these criteria to determine the sensor that will provide the best quality and performance for your application, for example:
- Resolution (height and width)
- Pixel size
- Speed
- Frame rate
- Chromatics (i.e., color or monochrome).
For more advanced applications, other factors that need to be taken into consideration are:
- Noise level
- Dynamic range (like HDR)
- Quantum efficiency
- Sensitivity
- Trigger options
- Spectrum (Visible, Near-Infrared, Infrared)
The evaluation of this criteria and attributes are important for designing an ideal image recording and image recognition system.
Pixel Architectures
Front Side Illuminated (FSI) Sensors
Back Side Illuminated (BSI) Sensors
Image sensor designers have created the BSI sensor architecture to help overcome these drawbacks, above. In this configuration, the pixel’s circuit section is moved below the photosensitive area (pixel section), to allow more incoming light. This arrangement also allows the creation of smaller pixel configurations. Consequently, this feature leads to smaller, more compact sensors which enable both smaller sensors and larger resolutions to work with smaller optical formats.
Other benefits of this structure are less cross talk between pixels, with better response times and more accurate color. Photons that enter the sensor quickly hit the pixel section to ensure that they are captured and correctly detected. Additionally, the pixel’s fill factor and the ratio of the photosensitive area to the total pixel area is much larger. These features reduce the requirements of the pixel’s micro-lens design (i.e., no increased refraction of the light to send it to the pixel); improves its CRA (Chief Ray Angle), while bringing the Bayer filter mask closer to the pixel. All these factors further improve the sensor’s image performance.
Sony Pregius® Global Shutter Image Sensors
Pregius is a global shutter CMOS pixel technology based on Sony’s low-noise CCD structure which produces high-quality images in challenging lighting conditions or environments.
Pregius technology represents the combination of the low-noise performance of CCD with the high-speed and high-precision performance (Precision) of the global shutter (GS) feature that is required by Factory Automation (FA) applications.
The digitization of the pixel data early in the transfer process is one of the major building blocks of the Pregius technology. This feature minimizes the amount of additional noise that is accumulated as the image data travels around within the sensor, even at high speed. Correlated double sampling (CDS), a technique borrowed from CCD design, is implemented on either side of the ADC (analog to digital conversion) to further improve the noise response of the sensor. This process cancels noise in the signal, ensuring the accuracy of the digitized data.
Sony has developed a proprietary pixel structure with global shutter functionality on a BSI structure that has superior sensitivity characteristics. Normally, when pixels are miniaturized, the sensitivity and saturation characteristics deteriorate. However, the new Sony technology enables a reduction in pixel size to 2.74 μm while maintaining the performance of BSI characteristics, thereby acquiring about 1.7 times higher resolution than conventional FSI CMOS sensors. Moreover, thanks to the high degree of the flexible wiring layout within BSI pixel structures, a high speed of about 2.4 times that of a conventional sensor can be determined. In addition, the sensor’s stacked structure makes it possible to mount various signal processing circuits. Consequently, it is possible to realize smart functions like signal processing only for the necessary part of the measurement and inspection images in a smaller size, compared to conventional sensors.
Sensor Functions and Features
Polarization
Custom Global Sensor Options
Pyxalis® Global Shutter Sensors
Pyxalis specializes in designing and producing high performance custom global shutter image sensors with very high dynamic range, high speed frame rates, and deep color depth. They are well suited for demanding medical, science, surveillance, or industrial purposes.
Pyxalis offers these global shutter sensor platforms as-is or, as a starting point for a semi-custom design.
HDPYX 160-G and HDPYX 230-G Sensors
HDPYX 300 (Global/Rolling) Sensors
The HDPYX 300 feature these modes:
- Electronic Rolling Shutter with CDS (ERS)
- Global Shutter Low-Noise with CQS (GSLN)
- Global Shutter with UDS (GS)
- Global Start Rolling Shutter (GRS).
They are equipped with wide dynamic range capabilities and on-chip computing. These capabilities include in-pixel dual gain with automatic switch selection (Mode 1: 1 frame readout, true intra-scene HDR) and line-interlaced dual integration times (Mode 2: (odd/even) and configurable ratio, respectively). Other features include, Digital corrections, automatic column offset correction, and programmable digital gain and offset.
Want to learn more details about our custom GS Options? – Check out our complete portfolio of Pyxalis Sensors.