New Devices Offer CCD-like Performance With The Integration and Cost Benefits Of CMOS

Eastman Kodak Company has announced the latest additions to its line of Kodak Digital Science image sensors and the first to be based on CMOS technology. The KAC-0310 VGA sensor and the KAC-1310 Megapixel sensor offer performance features commonly found in CCD devices yet at the cost, integration and power consumption levels that have made CMOS imagers so popular.

Like their CCD counterparts, Kodak's CMOS imagers are recognized for superior image quality, high light sensitivity, true color fidelity and low noise. Both devices use Kodak's patented "pinned photodiode" active pixel structure. This results in superior digital images under any lighting conditions and offers the system designer the ability to develop low-cost camera products without the need to sacrifice picture quality, Kodak said.

Kodak's CMOS devices are highly integrated image sensors featuring on-chip timing, programming control, analog signal processing and a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter to deliver a true "camera-on-a-chip" imaging solution. This enables the design of smaller, more portable, lower cost systems which consume less power, Kodak said. The devices are offered in both monochrome and color versions, with and without microlenses which further enhance sensitivity. The color devices are available in both Bayer and complementary array patterns.

"This announcement represents the first application of Kodak's wealth of imaging expertise and technology into the CMOS marketplace," said Chris McNiffe, vice president, marketing & sales, Image Sensor Solutions, Eastman Kodak. "Kodak has been a leading innovator in the imager marketplace for many years. Our CMOS imagers are a natural extension of Kodak's product line and will allow us to address a much broader market than we currently serve with our CCD products."