SmartSens Launches Full Line of CMOS Image Sensors for Mobile Phones

SmartSens Technology, a leading supplier of CMOS image sensors, today released a full line of high-performance CMOS image sensors for smartphone applications. The CS (Cellphone Sensor) Series products—including the SC200CS-mono, SC200CS-color, SC500CS, SC800CS, and SC1300CS/SC1301CS—covers an assortment of 2MP to 13MP smartphone camera sensors designed to meet a diverse range of applications and customers.

SmartSens’ new range of smartphone sensors directly address the unprecedented growth in multi-camera systems and intelligent camera applications. These CMOS solutions provide a new level of imaging performance and pixel refinement within a higher dynamic range than solutions currently on the market.

SmartSens is leveraging its proprietary SFCPixel^® Technology and ultra-low noise reading circuit design in its new smartphone sensors, borrowing from its years of experience in developing superior night vision imaging technology for security devices. These technologies effectively improve performance in low-light environments, allowing smartphone cameras to capture rich and vibrant images under extremely challenging conditions.

The new CS series deliver excellent signal-to-noise ratio. For example, the SC500CS reduces reading noise by over 30% compared with products of the same specifications in the industry while the fixed noise of SC800CS is significantly reduced by 72% with the Max SNR increased by 3dB compared to similar products. Coupled with the signal-to-noise ratio, the noise reduction optimizes for a natural look and feel.

The other standout features of the CS series include the high dynamic range that enables better images in complex light and shadow environments. Compared with the current 60-70dB dynamic range of mainstream smartphone image sensors, the new CS series products can reach over 72dB with a total range more than 6K electrons and the random noise of less than 1.5 electrons. These capabilities allow associated cameras to process images taken in a wide range of lighting conditions, clearly distinguishing the light and dark details.

The sensors also crucially address the emergence of 5G mobile phones and their associated higher power consumption. This is where the CS series excels. The new range benefits from SmartSens’ unique high-end processing and ultra-low power consumption circuit design that reduces sensor power consumption and extends mobile phone standby time without sacrificing the performance.

SC1300CS in the CS series is equipped with the advanced Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF) technology, an improvement over the traditional Contrast Detection Auto Focus (CDAF) technology, which makes autofocus inside the smartphone camera function more quickly and accurately compared to the competition.

“Our new range of CMOS image sensors takes SmartSens’ expertise and innovation in mission critical camera applications and brings them to one of the most important devices in consumers’ digital lifestyles: the smartphone,” said Dr. Yaowu Mo, SmartSens Chief Technology Officer. “The new CS Series image sensors utilize staple technologies from our other lines—including night-vision imaging, excellent noise reduction, PDAF and ultra-low power consumption—to empower advanced smartphone imaging applications and give users an overall better photography experience.”