Micron Technology Inc. of Boise, Idaho, has created Aptina Imaging, which represents a separate division and a new identity for its CMOS image business. Based in San Jose, Calif., Aptina will operate as an independent unit within Micron, allowing the California-based company to focus on delivering imaging solutions to its customers worldwide.

Aptina Imaging has unveiled a 9-megapixel image sensor as well as a 1.4-μm pixel and a prototype 1.2-μm pixel. It announced a new approach to designing cameras for mobile handsets that incorporates the image sensor, optics and processing unit into a single tiny package.