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`8 Jan 2009 - 3 Dec 2016
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`2008 2009 2016
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`HOME > CX-NEWS > Back Number > CX-NEWS Vol.45> New Products
`
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`..
`
` High-Resolution Diagonal 7.208 mm (Type 1/2.5)
`7.24M-Effective Pixel Digital Still Camera CCDs for
`Consumer Products Support VGA Resolution Moving
`Picture Imaging
`
`ICX629 Series
`[ICX629AQN/CQV/CQZ]
`
`The compact digital still camera market is now seeing stronger
`demands for higher ISO sensitivities in addition to the earlier
`desires for higher resolution.
`In particular, the market continues to demand evolution in image
`sensors in terms of both smaller pixels sizes and improved
`performance, i.e. higher sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and
`lower noise.
`To respond to these needs, Sony has further improved their
`unique fine fabrication technologies to develop and now release
`the ICX629AQN/CQV/ CQZ diagonal 7.208 mm (Type 1/2.5)
`7.24M-effective pixel interline CCDs.
`These CCDs feature the industry’s smallest unit pixel (1.86 μm)
`yet still achieve superb imaging qualities. These new products
`also include a horizontal and vertical pixel addition function that
`makes it possible for them to achieve 30 frame/s VGA resolution
`moving picture imaging.
`
` ICX629 Series[ICX629AQN/CQV/CQZ]
`* Diagonal 7.208 mm (Type 1/2.5), 7.24M effective pixels (3112H × 2328V)
`* Pixel size: 1.86 μm unit pixel
`* 5-field readout
`* Supports 30 frame/s VGA moving picture imaging
`
`..
`
` Cameras with Type 1/2.5 optical size, good high-ISO sensitivity characteristics, and a resolution of
`6M pixels or higher are expected to become the mainstream in the consumer digital still camera
`market.
`Sony has led the industry in grasping this trend, and in addition to Type 1/2.5 6M-pixel CCDs (the
`ICX624 Series) is now releasing the high-performance 7M-pixel ICX629AQN/CQV/CQZ CCDs (the
`ICX629 Series), which are based on an even further evolution of Sony’s unique fine fabrication
`technologies. (See table 1.)
` Pixel Miniaturization
`By miniaturizing the earlier 2.03 μm unit pixel to a 1.86 μm unit pixel size, which is the industry’s
`smallest unit pixel, Sony has achieved a significant increase in the pixel count in the Type 1/2.5 CCD.
`At the same time, Sony maximized the sizes of the photodiode and the pixel aperture area (see figure
`1), which determine the basic characteristics of the image sensor, to achieve high performance in the
`sensitivity, saturation signal level (dynamic range), and smear characteristics. As a result, even
`though the pixel area was reduced by 16% compared to the 2.03 μm unit pixel, Sony was able to
`maintain the pixel aperture area and photodiode size at essentially the same level as the earlier
`
`APPL-1029 / Page 1 of 4
`APPLE INC. v. COREPHOTONICS LTD.
`
`

`

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`
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`▾ About this capture
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`products by, for example, reducing the size of the vertical transfer register by 16%.
`Go DEC JAN DEC
`http://www.sony.net/Products/SC-HP/cx_news/vol45/np_icx629.html
`08
`Sony also increased the incident light transmittance to the pixel by approximately 15% and improved
`2 captures
`the condensing efficiency by approximately 10%.
` Pixel Characteristics
`2008 2009 2016
`8 Jan 2009 - 3 Dec 2016
`The basic characteristics were improved by about 20% on a per unit area basis from the 2.03 μm unit
`pixel CCDs by these pixel size reducing and basic characteristics improvement technologies. This
`allowed Sony to achieve equivalent or better sensitivity and saturation signal level characteristics
`than the earlier products. (See table 2.)
` Open Source Output Circuit
`In the ICX629 Series, Sony has moved some of the output circuit MOSFETs, which are the largest
`heat sources in the CCD, outside the chip to suppress noise during dark subject imaging. Thus the
`output pin circuits have an open source structure. (See figure 2.) This reduces the CCD internal heat
`generation and reduces the dark current generated from the pixels by about 10% compared to the
`earlier products.
` Buffer IC
`Sony provides the high-speed/low-power CXA3691EN as a buffer IC to handle the open source
`output circuits. It is thought that in the future, the open source output circuit will become standard as a
`noise reduction technology. We strongly recommend that you take advantage of the CXA3691EN
`along with the ICX629 Series CCDs in your next digital still camera product.
`
`•••• Mr. KANI ••••
`Voice face Although we needed many trial and error steps in the development stage, all of the
`team members worked together to advance Sony’s unique fine fabrication
`technology and we succeeded in breaking the 2.0 μm unit pixel size barrier while
`retaining high performance.
`I strongly recommend that you take advantage of the trend-leading ICX629 Series
`devices.
`
`See all articles with figures and tables.
`
` Vol.45
`
`[ Back ]
`
` HOME | Site Map | Information | CX-NEWS
`
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`
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`
`Copyright 2009 Sony Corporation
`
`APPL-1029 / Page 2 of 4
`APPLE INC. v. COREPHOTONICS LTD.
`
`

`

`High-Resolution Diagonal 7.208 mm (Type 1/2.5) 7.24M-Effective Pixel Digital Still Camera CCDs
`for Consumer Products Support VGA Resolution Moving Picture Imaging
`
`ICX629 Series
`[ICX629AQN/CQV/CQZ]
`
`The compact digital still camera market is now seeing stronger demands
`for higher ISO sensitivities in addition to the earlier desires for higher reso-
`lution. In particular, the market continues to demand evolution in image
`sensors in terms of both smaller pixels sizes and improved performance,
`i.e. higher sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and lower noise.
`To respond to these needs, Sony has further improved their unique fine
`fabrication technologies to develop and now release the ICX629AQN/CQV/
`CQZ diagonal 7.208 mm (Type 1/2.5) 7.24M-effective pixel interline CCDs.
`These CCDs feature the industry’s smallest unit pixel (1.86 µµµµµm) yet still
`achieve superb imaging qualities. These new products also include a hori-
`zontal and vertical pixel addition function that makes it possible for them
`to achieve 30 frame/s VGA resolution moving picture imaging.
`
`■ Diagonal 7.208 mm (Type 1/2.5),
`7.24M effective pixels
`(3112H × 2328V)
`■ Pixel size: 1.86 µµµµµm unit pixel
`■ 5-field readout
`
`■ Supports 30 frame/s VGA mov-
`ing picture imaging
`
`Cameras with Type 1/2.5 optical size,
`good high-ISO sensitivity characteristics,
`and a resolution of 6M pixels or higher
`are expected to become the mainstream in
`the consumer digital still camera market.
`Sony has led the industry in grasping this
`trend, and in addition to Type 1/2.5 6M-
`pixel CCDs (the ICX624 Series) is now
`releasing the high-performance 7M-pixel
`ICX629AQN/CQV/CQZ CCDs (the
`ICX629 Series), which are based on an
`even further evolution of Sony’s unique
`fine fabrication technologies. (See table 1.)
`
`V
`
`O
`
`I
`
`C
`
`E
`
`Although we needed many trial
`and error steps in the develop-
`ment stage, all of the team mem-
`bers worked together to advance
`Sony’s unique fine fabrication
`technology and we succeeded in
`breaking the 2.0 µµµµµm unit pixel size
`barrier while retaining high perfor-
`mance. I strongly recommend that
`you take advantage of the trend-
`leading ICX629 Series devices.
`
`Pixel Miniaturization
`By miniaturizing the earlier 2.03 µm unit
`pixel to a 1.86 µm unit pixel size, which
`is the industry’s smallest unit pixel, Sony
`has achieved a significant increase in the
`pixel count in the Type 1/2.5 CCD. At the
`same time, Sony maximized the sizes of
`the photodiode and the pixel aperture area
`(see figure 1), which determine the basic
`characteristics of the image sensor, to
`achieve high performance in the sensitiv-
`ity, saturation signal level (dynamic
`range), and smear characteristics. As a
`result, even though the pixel area was re-
`duced by 16% compared to the 2.03 µm
`unit pixel, Sony was able to maintain the
`pixel aperture area and photodiode size at
`essentially the same level as the earlier
`products by, for example, reducing the size
`of the vertical transfer register by 16%.
`Sony also increased the incident light
`transmittance to the pixel by approxi-
`mately 15% and improved the condens-
`ing efficiency by approximately 10%.
`
`Pixel Characteristics
`The basic characteristics were improved
`by about 20% on a per unit area basis from
`the 2.03 µm unit pixel CCDs by these pixel
`size reducing and basic characteristics
`improvement technologies. This allowed
`Sony to achieve equivalent or better sen-
`sitivity and saturation signal level charac-
`
`teristics than the earlier products. (See
`table 2.)
`
`Open Source Output Circuit
`In the ICX629 Series, Sony has moved
`some of the output circuit MOSFETs,
`which are the largest heat sources in the
`CCD, outside the chip to suppress noise
`during dark subject imaging. Thus the
`output pin circuits have an open source
`structure. (See figure 2.) This reduces the
`CCD internal heat generation and reduces
`the dark current generated from the pixels
`by about 10% compared to the earlier
`products.
`
`Buffer IC
`Sony provides the high-speed/low-power
`CXA3691EN as a buffer IC to handle the
`open source output circuits. It is thought
`that in the future, the open source output
`circuit will become standard as a noise
`reduction technology. We strongly recom-
`mend that you take advantage of the
`CXA3691EN along with the ICX629
`Series CCDs in your next digital still cam-
`era product.
`
`APPL-1029 / Page 3 of 4
`APPLE INC. v. COREPHOTONICS LTD.
`
`

`

`Earlier Sony Product (ICX624)
`
`ICX629 Series
`
`Microlens
`
`Light rays
`
`Light rays
`
`Microlens
`
`Transmittance: increased 15%
`Condensing efficiency:
` increased 10%
`
`Light rays
`
`Light rays
`
`Poly Si
`
`Vertical register
`
`Photodiode
`
`Vertical register
`size reduced by
`16%
`
`Poly Si
`
`Vertical
`register
`
`Photodiode
`
`An equivalent
`aperture is
`assured
`
`Pixel size: 2.03 µm
`
`Pixel size: 1.86 µm
`
`■ Figure 1 Reducing the Pixel Size
`
`Earlier Sony Products
`
`CCD chip
`
`ICX629 Series
`
`CCD chip
`
`Pixel area
`
`OUT
`
`Pixel area
`
`OUT
`
`Output circuit
`block
`
`Output circuit
`block
`
`Dark current generated in the pixel block reduced by
`approximately 10%.
`
`■ Figure 2 Open Source Circuit Adopted
`
`■ Table 1 Device Structure
`
`■ Table 2 Image Sensor Characteristics
`
`ICX629 Series
`
`Item
`
`Sensitivity (G signal)
`
`Saturation
`signal
`
`Frame readout mode
`4/10-line readout mode∗1
`4/20-line readout mode∗1
`Frame readout mode
`
`Smear
`
`4/10-line readout mode
`
`–79 dB (Typ.)
`
`4/20-line readout mode
`
`–73 dB (Typ.)
`
`ICX629 Series
`
`170 mV (Typ.)
`
`420 mV (Min.)
`
`200 mV (Min.)
`
`200 mV (Min.)
`
`–87 dB (Typ.)
`
`Remarks
`3200K, 706 cd/m2,
`1/30 s accumulation, F5.6
`
`Ta = 60°C, per pixel
`
`None when a mechanical
`shutter is used, V/10 method,
`F5.6
`
`Item
`
`Image size
`
`Transfer method
`
`Readout method
`
`Total number of pixels
`
`Number of effective pixels
`
`Number of active pixels
`Number of recommended
`recording pixels
`(Aspect ratio: 4:3)
`
`Unit cell size
`
`Horizontal drive frequency
`
`Package
`
`Diagonal 7.208 mm (Type 1/2.5)
`
`Frame readout interline transfer method
`
`5-field readout
`Approx. 7.41M (3164H × 2342V)
`Approx. 7.24M (3112H × 2328V)
`Approx. 7.20M (3104H × 2320V)
`
`Approx. 7.08M (3072H × 2304V)
`
`1.86 µm (H) × 1.86 µm (V)
`33.75MHz
`AQN: 28-pin SOP (Plastic)
`CQV: 28-pin SON (Ceramic)
`CQZ: 27-pin QFN (Ceramic)
`
`Frame readout mode
`4/10-line readout mode∗1
`4/20-line readout mode∗1
`∗1: With horizontal addition
`∗2: During the horizontal addition operation, two lines of signal are output in a single horizontal period.
`Note: This device was designed for use in consumer digital still cameras and may not be appropriate for other applications. Contact your Sony representative for
` consultation when considering this product for use in other applications.
`
`Frame
`rate
`
`3.33 frame/s
`
`30 frame/s
`60 frame/s
`
`Number of output lines: 466 lines∗2
`Number of output lines: 232 lines∗2
`
`APPL-1029 / Page 4 of 4
`APPLE INC. v. COREPHOTONICS LTD.
`
`