High-Resolution 4.11M-Pixel Diagonal 6.75 mm (Type 1/2.7) Color CCD
for Consumer Digital Still Cameras Supports 30 frames/s VGA Moving Picture Imaging
ICX488DQ/DQF
The desires for higher resolution and further miniaturization are grow-
ing along with the increasingly widespread use of consumer digital
still cameras.
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ICX488DQ: Primary color filters, 24-pin
DIP
ICX488DQF: Primary color filters, 24-
pin SOP
To respond to these desires, Sony has now developed a new 4.11M-
pixel diagonal 6.75 mm (Type 1/2.7) interlaced CCD, the ICX488DQ/
DQF.
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Diagonal 6.75 mm (Type 1/2.7) optical
size and 4.11M effective pixels (2344H
× 1752V)
The industry’s smallest pixel size (2.35
The ICX488DQ/DQF achieves both higher resolution and miniaturiza-
tion by achieving the industry’s smallest pixel size of 2.35 µm. Sony’s
unique horizontal and vertical pixel addition technology allows the
ICX488DQ/DQF to provide both 4M-pixel class still picture and VGA
moving picture imaging at 30 frames/s.
µm unit pixel)
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3-field readout method
Supports 30 frames/s VGA moving
picture imaging
The Industry’s Smallest Pixel
Size
VGA Moving Picture Imaging
at 30 frames/s
The ICX488DQ/DQF is a diagonal 6.75
mm (Type 1/2.7) 4.11M-effective pixel
CCD image sensor developed for use in
high-resolution consumer digital still cam-
eras. Used with a mechanical shutter, the
ICX488DQ/DQF provides high-resolution
image capture. Table 1 presents the pixel
structure used in the ICX488DQ/DQF, and
table 2 presents its imaging characteris-
tics.
Figure 1 presents Sony’s consumer digi-
tal still camera CCD lineup. Although the
ICX488DQ/DQF corresponds to an
increased pixel count version of Sony’s
earlier Type 1/2.7 3.24M-pixel
ICX432DQ/DQF, Sony has developed the
industry’s smallest pixel (with a unit pixel
size of 2.35 µm) by adopting the latest fine
fabrication technologies, and thus suc-
ceeds in achieving both higher resolution
and miniaturization at the same time. This
allows the implementation of a 4M-pixel
digital still camera from a design using
the ICX432DQ/DQF without changing
the optical system.
Since the ICX488DQ/DQF adopts Sony’s
unique horizontal and vertical pixel addi-
tion technology, it can add together 4 pix-
els internally to the CCD itself and thus
achieve a four times higher imaging sen-
sitivity. In the 4/6-line readout mode (with
horizontal addition), the ICX488DQ/DQF
achieves both 30 frames/s high-speed im-
aging at high resolution (VGA: 640 × 480
pixels). Thus the ICX488DQ/DQF
achieves both high pixel count still pic-
ture and high-quality moving picture. It
also features an extensive set of readout
modes, including 2/6-line readout mode
that allows high-speed shutter operation,
and partial scan modes designed for even
higher speed AF control.
High Saturation Signal
To increase the dynamic range, the
ICX488DQ/DQF adopts the same 3-field
readout system used in the ICX432DQ/
DQF. This readout mode allows finer
design rules to be used in the vertical
transfer block, which in turn allows the
photodiode block to be made larger. The
ICX488DQ/DQF achieves a saturation
signal of 385 mV despite miniaturization
to a 2.35 µm unit pixel size. (See table 2.)
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System IC
Sony also provides the CXD3629GA
driver timing generator IC that includes
built-in horizontal and vertical drivers. In
addition to a VGA equivalent moving pic-
ture mode, this IC also supports high frame
rate readout mode and AF mode as well.
We developed this 4M-pixel Type
1/2.7 CCD that achieves both a
high pixel count still picture and
high-quality moving picture at the
same time, and also achieves fur-
ther miniaturization. To respond to
market needs for miniaturization
and higher pixel counts, we took
maximum advantage of Sony’s
fine fabrication technologies and
achieved the industry’s smallest
pixel size. I strongly recommend
that you consider developing new
products based on this device,
which combines both the latest
technologies and functions.