SmartSens Launches High-Performance Global Shutter CMOS Image Sensor for Industrial Machine Vision Applications

Shanghai, China, March 6, 2025 SmartSens Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (SSE STAR MARKET: 688213), a technologically-advanced CMOS image sensor supplier, recently announced SC136HGS, a 1.3-MegaPixel (MP) global shutter CMOS image sensor for industrial machine vision applications. Leveraging SmartSens’ advanced technologies including SmartGS™-2 Plus and Lightbox IR^®, SC136HGS has excellent performance in high sensitivity, high dynamic range, low noise, imaging at high temperatures, etc., which makes it ideal for camera upgrades of industrial machine vision applications such as Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) and industrial machine vision cameras.

Main features

Global shutter and large optical format

When capturing high-speed moving objects, rolling shutter image sensor often produces distorted and blurry images. Based on SmartSens' advanced SmartGS™-2 Plus technology, SC136HGS is a global shutter image sensor, which helps to expose all pixels on the image sensor at the same time, so as to quickly capture clear images of high-speed moving objects, thus promoting AGV’s productivity.

In addition, with 1/2.7 inch large optical format, SC136HGS can clearly capture images of obstacles from wider vision, which further assists AGV in upgrading obstacle avoidance capabilities.

High sensitivity

Utilizing BSI pixel structure and Lightbox IR^® technology, SC136HGS achieves significant growth in sensitivity. At the 520nm wavelength of visible light, the Quantum Efficiency (QE) of SC136HGS reaches up to 91%. Meanwhile, Lightbox IR^® technology provides significant improvement in the sensors’ Near-Infrared (NIR) sensitivity. Compared with similar products in the industry, the peak QE of SC136HGS increases by 33% at the 850nm wavelength and 87% at the 940nm wavelength, respectively, enabling its clear and bright image capture in low-light scenes such as warehouse corners and aisles.

High dynamic range

SC136HGS is developed on SmartSens' unique Stack MIM process and 12-bit quantization mode to reduce read noise, while having a large Full Well Capacity (FWC), which improves its dynamic range. Moreover, incorporating PixGain technology, its FWC is up to 6.4ke- in High Gain mode and 24.8ke- in Low Gain mode. In strong illumination environments, SC136HGS employs Low Gain mode to prevent overexposure, thus preserving highlight details. In low-light conditions, SC136HGS switches to High Gain mode to reduce read noise, which makes the image details clearer.

Furthermore, SC136HGS also supports ColGain HDR^® and Single-Frame Knee Point HDR, which effectively improves the sensor’s dynamic range to avoid overexposure in strong-light scenes and the loss of dark details in low-light environments, yielding image output with clear highlight and shadow details for industrial machine vision applications.

Excellent shutter efficiency

Thanks to SmartSens' SmartGS™-2 Plus technology, SC136HGS has an excellent shutter efficiency(PLS>40000), which enables accurate image capture of high-speed moving objects under strong illumination, thereby greatly improving the image quality of industrial machine vision cameras.

Low noise

Based on SmartSens' proprietary Stack MIM process, SC136HGS features low noise. Compared with same specification products in the industry, SC136HGS has about 80% reduction in Read Noise (RN) and 84% reduction in Fixed Pattern Noise (FPN) at 16x gain, which reduces the image noise, thus making images more delicate and clear, further increasing the accuracy of industrial inspection applications.

Imaging at high temperatures

SC136HGS adopts SmartSens' innovative SmartGS™-2 Plus technology, achieving superior high-temperature imaging performance. Compared with similar products in the industry, SC136HGS’s Dark Current (DC) and White Pixel (WP) are significantly reduced by about 99% and 36% at a temperature of 80°C, thereby enabling cameras to output stable images in high-temperature environments.

Multiple packages and interfaces

SC136HGS provides different interfaces and package versions. For interfaces, SC136HGS supports MIPI, LVDS and DVP, which adapt to the data transmission demands. For packages, SC136HGS supports both CLCC and CSP. The package of CLCC is Pin2Pin (64pin) compatible with its predecessor. The package of CSP possesses a small size of 6.01mm×6.35mm, which helps to create small and cost-effective camera upgrade solutions.

SC136HGS is sampling now and will be mass-produced in Q2 2025. For more information or to request a sample, please contact SmartSens Sales Representatives: cs@smartsenstech.com

About SmartSens Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

SmartSens Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (SSE STAR MARKET: 688213) is a high-performance CMOS image sensor (CIS) chip design company. It is headquartered in Shanghai and has research centers in many cities around the world. SmartSens has been dedicated to pushing forward the frontier of imaging technology and growing in popularity among customers since it was established. SmartSens’ CMOS image sensors provide advanced imaging solutions for a broad range of areas such as surveillance, machine vision, automotive and cellphone cameras. SmartSens is committed to continuous innovation of products and fueling growth in numerous industries by delivering a more comprehensive portfolio of image sensors. Learn more at SmartSensTech.com.