SmartSens Expands Its AT Series Family with an 8.3-Megapixel Automotive-Grade CMOS Image Sensor for ADAS/AD Cameras

2022-11-25

Shanghai, China, November 25, 2022 SmartSens Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (SSE STAR MARKET: 688213), a technologically-advanced CMOS image sensor supplier, recently announced SC850AT, an 8.3-MegaPixel (MP) automotive-grade CMOS Image Sensor (CIS), as the latest solution of SmartSens’ Automotive Sensor (AT) Series. Using SmartSens’ proprietary technologies including SmartClarity®-2, SFCPixel®, PixGain HDR®, LFS, and upgraded Raw domain algorithms, SC850AT delivers high resolution of 8.3MPs, high sensitivity, high dynamic range of up to 140dB, and effective LED flicker suppression. Compliant with AEC-Q100 Grade 2 and ISO 26262 ASIL B, SC850AT serves as a high-performance, reliable automotive-grade CIS solution for ADAS/AD cameras in the automobile industry.

SmartSens AT 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

140dB High Dynamic Range (HDR)

To ensure driving safety, a must-have capability for automotive cameras is capturing high-quality images under variable lighting conditions, such as entering or exiting the tunnel, or driving into the sun. SC850AT has a high dynamic range of up to 140dB, which enables it to capture highlight and shadow details under complex lighting conditions. In addition to staggered HDR, SC850AT employs SmartSens’ proprietary PixGain HDR®, a technology that combines the high gain and low gain of the same frame into one, on its dual-pixel structure. While achieving 140dB HDR, SC850AT can provide image outputs with more precise details and avoid motion artifacts caused by HDR image fusion during high-speed drive, thereby meeting the need for increased HDR in automotive ADAS/AD applications.

Effective LED flicker suppression

As a key component of automotive ADAS/AD applications, Automotive CIS needs to suppress the flicker that occurs when capturing images of items with LED light source, e.g., LED traffic lights and signs. SmartSens’ proprietary LED Flicker Suppression (LFS) technology used on SC850AT overrides the LED flicker frequency by extending the exposure time of certain pixels. As a result, SC850AT can output images of LED traffic lights/signs with no flicker, which supports ADAS/AD to identify LED traffic signals and automotive lights accurately.

Full-color night vision outputs with enhanced image quality

For ADAS, the detection distance and the accuracy of object recognition rely highly on automotive devices such as front view cameras, etc. A high-resolution front view camera supports ADAS to detect objects and/or potential road hazards from farther away, and hence promote driving safety. SC850AT features high resolution of 8.3MPs, which supports the ADAS front view camera to achieve a detection distance of more than 200 meters, thereby satisfying the demands for ADAS sensing application upgrades.

Employing SmartSens’ proprietary technologies including SmartClarity®-2, SFCPixel®, and PixGain, SC850AT provides clear image capture under low-light/illumination conditions. Additionally, the ultra-low noise readout circuit and upgraded color processing technology of SC850AT significantly reduce Photo-Response Non-Uniformity (PRNU) to less than 0.8% and blooming to below 1%, which effectively hinders image noise as well as over splash effect of night light. This enables ADAS/AD camera to output images with more true-to-life color and richer details under low-light conditions such as night drive.

SC850AT delivers enhanced image quality with upgraded Raw domain algorithms. Algorithms including Defective Pixel Correction (DPC), Black Level Correction (BLC), Lens Shading Correction (LSC), and Color Correction Matrix (CCM) are maintained, while algorithms such as noise reduction and HDR image fusion are specially optimized, hence SC850AT image sensor’s improved image quality with image details retained.

AEC-Q100 and ISO26262 ASIL B compliance

In November 2022, SmartSens received the certificate of ISO 26262:2018 for development processes of up to Automotive Safety Integrity Level D (ASIL D, the most stringent level), which was a formal recognition of SmartSens’ efforts in developing automotive-grade CIS solutions that empower the development of intelligent vehicles.

The SC850AT image sensor complies with both AEC-Q100 Grade 2 and ISO 26262 ASIL B, which makes it a reliable and safe solution for intelligent vehicles, thereby supporting ADAS to move forward to higher levels of autonomy.

ISO 26262:2018 ASIL D Certificate

“Vehicle intelligence sets high standards for vehicle safety, driving safety, and assistance to driver’s understanding vehicle surroundings. Automotive sensing applications, especially front view cameras, usually require high resolution. An 8MP-level camera can achieve an object detection distance of over 200 meters and a wider field of view, which allows it to promote driving safety by looking further and more clearly,” said Mr. Kevin Shao, Vice President of Automotive Division at SmartSens Technology. “As SmartSens’ latest automotive CIS solution, SC850AT features full-color night vision outputs. What’s more, SC850AT can offer automotive sensing applications with 140dB HDR and LED flicker suppression, which fulfills the needs of automotive ADAS/AD cameras’ capturing accurate images with highlight and shadow details. The upgraded Raw domain algorithms enable SC850AT to retain more image information, allowing for better image processing outcomes with more precise image details. Compliant with AEC-Q100 Grade 2 and ISO 26262 ASIL B, the 8.3MP automotive-grade CMOS image sensor, SC850AT, is designed to empower the development of ADAS/AD cameras in the automobile industry.”

SC850AT is sampling now and will be mass-produced in Q2 2023. 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.