IMX250LLR/LQR, IMX252LLR/LQR
IMX250LLR/LQR
Diagonal 11.1 mm (Type 2/3) Approx. 5.07M-Effective Pixel Monochrome and Color CMOS Image Sensor
IMX252LLR/LQR
Diagonal 8.9 mm (Type 1/1.8) Approx. 3.19M-Effective Pixel Monochrome and Color CMOS Image Sensor
CMOS Image Sensors with a 3.45 μm Pixel and Global Shutter Function for Industrial Applications
Industrial applications demand imaging of fast-moving
subjects. However, there is the issue that existing CMOS image
sensors are unable to accurately identify fast-moving subjects
due to focal plane distortion as a result of rolling shutter opera-
tion. To address this issue, Sony has developed CMOS image
sensors with a global shutter function and a 3.45 μm pixel that
is the smallest class in the industry. This small-sized 3.45 μm
pixel realizes higher sensitivity and lower noise than that of the
existing 5.86 μm pixel products, and achieves high picture
quality, high resolution and high-speed imaging without focal
plane distortion. In addition, these new CMOS image sensors
are equipped with a variety of functions such as a trigger
mode that arbitrarily controls the storage time using an exter-
nal trigger signal, and ROI (region of interest) mode.
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Global shutter function
* Exmor is a trademark of Sony Corporation. The Exmor is a version of Sony's high
performance CMOS image sensor with high-speed processing, low noise and low
power dissipation by using column-parallel A/D conversion.
The industry's smallest pixel size class for industrial applications (3.45 μm)
High sensitivity (1.1 times compared to the existing 5.86 μm product)
High frame rate
A variety of functions (external trigger mode, ROI mode(maximum 64
locations), supports multiple frame set output, etc.)
* Pregius is a trademark of Sony Corporation. The Pregius is global shutter pixel
technology for active pixel-type CMOS image sensors that use Sony's low-noise
CCD structure, and realizes high picture quality.
Global Shutter Function
Industrial applications require imaging of fast-moving subjects. However, there is
the issue that existing CMOS image sensors are unable to accurately identify
fast-moving subjects due to focal plane distortion as a result of rolling shutter
operation. The IMX250LLR/LQR and IMX252LLR/LQR address this issue by
providing analog memory inside each pixel and realizing a global shutter function,
which enables high-picture-quality imaging without focal plane distortion.
The Industry's Smallest Pixel Size Class for Industrial Applications
Analog memory, transistors and other elements must be added to the inside of
each pixel to realize a global shutter function, which made it a challenge to reduce
the pixel size. The newly developed products use Sony's fine pixel fabrication
technology to realize a small pixel with a size of 3.45 μm compared to the 5 μm
range that is the existing standard for global shutter pixels. This enables
high-resolution imaging using a smaller lens than that of the existing products.
High Sensitivity
In order to reduce the size of pixels equipped with a global shutter function, it is
necessary to secure a sufficient pixel light-detecting area while also securing an
analog memory area within the pixel, so there were concerns over a drop in
sensitivity.
However, high-sensitivity pixel design technology and condensing process
technology were used to increase the sensitivity of the newly developed 3.45 μm
pixel, and realized high sensitivity exceeding that of the existing 5.86 μm product
(1.1 times compared to the existing 5.86 μm product).
In addition, EXview HAD CCD*1 technology also increases sensitivity in the
near-infrared range, enabling use with high picture quality even under near
infrared light.
*1: EXview HAD CCD is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
High Frame Rate
Customers have strongly demanded higher frame rates for industrial applications,
so an ADC 8-bit mode was added to the IMX250LLR/LQR and IMX252LLR/LQR in
addition to the existing ADC 10-bit and 12-bit modes. Also, the column-parallel
A/D conversion technology of Sony CMOS image sensors is used to realize
high-speed imaging of up to 163.4 [frame/s] (ADC 8-bit) for the IMX250LLR/LQR
and up to 216.3 [frame/s] (ADC 8-bit) for the IMX252LLR/LQR (Table-3). This
enabled further increasing the processing speed for industrial applications.
A Variety of Functions
The IMX250LLR/LQR and IMX252LLR/LQR are equipped with a variety of
functions needed for industrial applications, such as ROI mode and trigger mode.
ROI mode crops arbitrary areas, and up to 8 × 8 = 64 locations can be set. Various
exposure methods are provided for trigger mode, which controls the exposure
time using an external pulse. In addition, the IMX250LQR and IMX252LQR (color
products) are equipped with functions such as subsampling, horizontal and/or
vertical inverted readout, and multiple frame set output, and the IMX250LLR and
IMX252LLR (monochrome products) also have a pixel addition function in addition
to color product functions.
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