Automotive Image Sensor To Promote Safer, Smarter Driving

Boise, ID - Micron Technology, Inc. introduced a new image sensor designed to promote safer, smarter driving. As technically advanced automobiles continue to hit the roadways, imaging technology is a key feature that provides drivers with an intuitive look at the drive ahead or the view behind. With this new sensor, automotive manufacturers can design in camera functionality for side-view mirror replacement and assistance, or provide a reversing camera so the driver can clearly see what might be next to the car and behind it.

"Technology guided safety systems are a highly desirable feature for automobiles and CMOS imaging plays an integral role in advancing the vision assistance function," said Bob Gove, vice president of Micron Technology, Inc.'s imaging group. "As a market leader in CMOS image sensors, Micron is committed to providing the best imaging technology for the automotive industry, ultimately improving a driver's view of the road."

Imaging technology is used in cars primarily for scene viewing and understanding applications. Micron has designed its line of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors to increase drivers awareness of their surroundings. The sensors also capture information about environmental conditions and send information to the vehicle's data systems to provide input for potential actions, such as safer deployment of a vehicle's airbag. This new sensor (product number MT9V125) supplements Micron's current portfolio of automotive CMOS image sensors and IT memory and is designed specifically for scene viewing applications, providing outstanding image quality.

"Imaging technology is enabling a multitude of potential applications that will benefit safety, security and convenience in automobiles," said Jon Erensen, Senior Research Analyst with Gartner. "The best known use of image sensors in vehicles is for rear vision assist cameras. Key emerging applications for automotive manufacturers include accident avoidance, airbag passenger occupancy detection, lane departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control."

Micron Continues Commitment to Automotive Industry, Enhancing CMOS Image Sensor Portfolio

The MT9V125 complements Micron's existing portfolio of automotive sensors and meets the requirements of the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC) Q-100. Designed to fit a one-quarter inch lens aperture, the sensor provides a higher-level of integration, reducing camera cost and size. Additionally, as with all Micron(R) automotive sensors, the MT9V125 is equipped with Micron's proprietary low-noise, high-sensitivity DigitalClarity technology. Key features and benefits of the MT9V125 include:

• Dual electronic rolling shutters capture 30 frames-per-second (fps) at 27 megahertz (MHz), 60 hertz (Hz) field rate for NTSC video systems, or 25 fps at 27 MHz, 50Hz field rate for PAL video systems with a maximum integration time of 33 milliseconds (msecs) for NTSC and 40 msecs for PAL providing excellent video quality, especially in low-light and bright light condition.

• Flexible signal paths that allow a designer to choose one scene view sensor across a range of vehicle models, whether for a basic reversing camera in a low end model, or a high end system where content is statically or dynamically overlaid onto a car's video signal display.

• Extended operating temperature range that withstands extreme temperatures from -40 degrees Celsius to +105 degrees Celsius, providing dependable operation under severe conditions.

"With its intuitive design and flexible architecture, the MT9V125 meets the needs of automotive designers, regardless the vehicle model," stated Curtis Stith, director of marketing for the Emerging Markets segment of Micron's Imaging Group.

SOURCE: Micron Technology