SmartSens’ New 3MP Automotive-Grade CMOS Image Sensor with Built-in ISP Brings Excellent Image Quality to Advanced Automotive Viewing Applications

Shanghai, China, September 26, 2022 SmartSens Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (SSE STAR MARKET: 688213), a technologically-advanced CMOS image sensor supplier, recently announced SC320AT, a 3-MegaPixel (MP) automotive-grade BSI CMOS Image Sensor (CIS), as the latest product of SmartSens Automotive Series (AT). Employing SmartSens’ proprietary technologies, SC320AT features high sensitivity of up to 8200mV/lux·s, High Dynamic Range (HDR) of 120dB, and LED flicker suppression, enabling it to provide high-quality, detailed image outputs under complex lighting conditions. Compliant with AEC-Q100 Grade 2 and ISO 26262 ASIL B, SC320AT serves as a reliable, high-performance CIS solution for advanced automotive viewing applications such as 360-degree surround view camera system, ADAS surround view system, Automatic Parking System (APS), streaming media rearview mirror system, etc.

SmartSens Automotive Series features automotive-grade CISs with resolutions from 1MP to 8MP, providing high-quality imaging solutions for automotive viewing applications, automotive sensing applications, and automotive in-cabin camera applications.

Main features

Full-color night vision outputs

SC320AT’s unique optical structure optimizes the percentage of incident light retained in the pixel array, which improves pixel sensitivity and reduces crosstalk, and thus enhances its performance in color processing under low light/illumination conditions. Utilizing SmartSens’ proprietary technologies including SmartClarity^®-2 technology, SFCPixel^® technology, and PixGain technology, SC320AT achieves sensitivity of up to 8200mV/lux·s, which significantly improves the camera’s performance in capturing images of vehicle surroundings in low-light environments. SmartSens’ proprietary ultra-low noise readout circuit and upgraded color processing technology enable SC320AT to reduce Fixed Pattern Noise (FPN) to 0.2e- and blooming to below 1%, producing more detailed, full-color image outputs at night.

Enhanced image quality

SC320AT is equipped with built-in ISP and upgraded ISP algorithms. Featuring RAW domain, RGB domain and YUV domain of the ISP pipeline, SmartSens’ upgraded ISP algorithms optimize functions like Auto White Balance (AWB), HDR fusion, sharpening, noise reduction, etc. These result in significant improvement in the quality of the image outputs. Additionally, the upgraded ISP algorithms used on SC320AT can effectively avoid overexposure, underexposure, and over splash effects caused by strong automotive lights during night drive, thus promoting driving safety.

High dynamic range of 120dB and LED flicker suppression

Drivers usually encounter challenging lighting conditions when driving through highway tunnels, e.g., the lack of visibility inside a tunnel, and the dramatic change of light at tunnel entrance and exit. Therefore, automotive viewing applications require HDR cameras to capture accurate images effectively. In addition to staggered HDR technology, SC320AT employs SmartSens’ proprietary PixGain HDR^® technology on its dual-pixel structure, enabling itself to avoid motion artifacts caused by HDR fusion, thereby capturing clear and accurate images with a high dynamic range of 120dB.

Furthermore, SC320AT employs SmartSens’ proprietary LED Flicker Suppression (LFS) technology, a technology that suppresses LED flickers via overriding the LED flicker frequency by extending the exposure time of certain pixels, which can resolve the image flickering caused by LED light sources such as digital traffic signs and LED traffic signals.

“The continuing evolvement of vehicle intelligence in the automobile industry has brought CIS to a promising market. Considering customers’ needs, SmartSens’ newest 3MP automotive-grade CIS, SC320AT, is equipped with full-color night vision, built-in ISP, 120dB HDR, and LED flicker suppression,” said Mr. Kevin Shao, Vice President of Automotive Division at SmartSens Technology. “In addition, SC320AT is compliant with AEC-Q100 Grade 2 and ISO 26262 ASIL B, which makes it a reliable solution for advanced automotive viewing applications including 360-degree surround view camera system, ADAS surround view system, Automatic Parking System (APS), streaming media rearview mirror system, etc., thereby supporting the accelerating development of vehicle intelligence in the automobile industry.”

SC320AT is expected to be mass-produced in Q2 2023. Samples of SC320AT are now available. 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.