http://www.sony.net/Products/SC-HP/cx_news/vol42/np_icx624.html
`
`11 captures
`29 Dec 2005 - 23 Aug 2019
`
`Go NOV DEC SEP
`29
`2004 2005 2007
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`f 🐦
`▾ About this capture
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`HOME > CX-NEWS > Back Number > CX-NEWS Vol.42> New Products
`
`New Product_image
`
` High-Resolution Diagonal 7.18 mm (Type
`1/2.5) 6.04M-Effective Pixel Digital Still
`Camera CCD for Consumer Products
`
`ICX624 Series [ICX624AQN/CQV/CQZ]
`
`The trends towards further miniaturization and increased pixel counts in
`the digital still camera market continue to progress without pause.
`Furthermore, market needs for improved imaging characteristics
`continue to increase as well.
`To respond to these needs, Sony is now releasing the
`ICX624AQN/CQV/CQZ diagonal 7.18 mm (Type 1/2.5) 6.04M-effective
`pixel interline CCDs. These devices not only achieve further
`miniaturization and higher resolution with a 2.03µm unit pixel by taking
`full advantage of Sony’s unique fine fabrication technology, but also
`improve smear and other imaging characteristics over earlier devices.
`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. A further plus is that these
`device hold the supply voltage to an even lower level than earlier CCDs
`to achieve even lower power consumption, making them truly optimal
`imaging devices for compact digital still cameras.
`
` ICX624 Series [ICX624AQN/CQV/CQZ]
`* Diagonal 7.18 mm (Type 1/2.5), 6.04M effective pixels (2840H × 2128V)
`* Pixel size: 2.03 µm unit pixel
`* 4-field readout
`* Supports 30 frame/s VGA moving picture imaging
`* High sensitivity: 170 mV, Low smear: -90 dB (for still imaging)
`* Low power
`* New miniature package (QFN)
`
`The trend in pixel counts in consumer digital still cameras is about to shift from the
`current mainstream, 5M-pixel devices to the 6M-pixel level. To achieve 6M pixels in
`the Type 1/2.5 size, which is the current mainstream in compact digital still cameras,
`Sony had to achieve a high-performance CCD with a 2.03 µm unit pixel.
`(See table 1.)
`
` High Sensitivity
`Sony succeeded in increasing the light sensitive area in the ICX624AQN/CQV/ CQZ
`(the ICX624 Series) device pixels by reducing the width of the interconnects in the
`
`..
`
`..
`
`..
`
`APPL-1030 / Page 1 of 4
`APPLE INC. v. COREPHOTONICS LTD.
`
`

`

`pixel block required for CCD drive to one half the previous width. Furthermore, to
`👤 ⍰ ❎
`Go NOV DEC SEP
`http://www.sony.net/Products/SC-HP/cx_news/vol42/np_icx624.html
`29
`take maximum advantage of that result, Sony developed technology that enlarges
`
`f 🐦
`11 captures
`the aperture area of the photo shielding film and, despite reducing the unit pixel area
`2004 2005 2007
`by 15% compared to the earlier structure, increased the pixel aperture area by 7%.
`▾ About this capture
`29 Dec 2005 - 23 Aug 2019
`(See figure 1.) The adoption of this technology allowed Sony to achieve a sensitivity
`of 170 mV despite the extremely fine pixels with a unit pixel size of 2.03 µm. (See
`table 2.)
` Low Smear
`To reduce smear, a type of noise that occurs when imaging high brightness subjects,
`Sony developed a new vertical register.
`To reduce the probability of contamination by the noise signal, Sony reduced the
`cross sectional area by 35% from the earlier structure. (See figure 2.)
`These improvements made it possible to achieve a smear of -90 dB (still imaging) in
`the ICX624 Series devices. (See table 2.)
` Low Power
`In the ICX624 Series, Sony revised the structure of the electronic circuits and
`devices used in the CCD. These changes made it possible to reduce the voltage
`from the 15 V used in earlier products to 12 V without harming the signal-to-noise
`ratio or frequency response in the slightest. This succeeded in cutting the operating
`CCD power consumption in half.
` New Miniature Package
`In addition to the earlier SOP and SON package types, Sony also provides these
`devices in the new miniature QFN package.
`The QFN package reduces the area by 36% and the thickness by 31% compared to
`the AQN package. (See figure 3.)
`Customers can now select an ICX624 device from an even wider range of packages
`to match their needs.
`* QFN: Quad Flat Non-Leaded Package
`Timing Generator IC
`Sony is also releasing the CXD3639GA programmable timing generator IC with built-
`in horizontal and vertical drivers.
`This driver supports not only VGA moving picture mode, but high frame rate readout
`mode and AF mode as well.
`
`Voice face
`
`•••• Mr. NAGATA ••••
`We adopted many of Sony’s unique leading-edge technologies
`to improve the sensitivity and other imaging characteristics at
`the same time as making the unit pixels even smaller. While
`there were many difficulties associated with developing these
`new technologies, the project members came together as a
`group and solved these one by one to make progress towards
`the technological leap of the 2.0 µm unit pixel. I strongly
`recommend that you consider adopting this device in your
`digital still camera products with increasing pixel counts.
`
`See all articles with figures and tables.
`
` Vol.42
`
`[ Back ]
`
` HOME | Site Map | Information | CX-NEWS
`
`About this Site
`
`Terms of Use
`
`Copyright 2005 Sony Corporation
`
`APPL-1030 / Page 2 of 4
`APPLE INC. v. COREPHOTONICS LTD.
`
`

`

`High-Resolution Diagonal 7.18 mm (Type 1/2.5) 6.04M-Effective Pixel
`Digital Still Camera CCD for Consumer Products
`
`ICX624 Series
`[ICX624AQN/CQV/CQZ]
`
`The trends towards further miniaturization and increased pixel counts in
`the digital still camera market continue to progress without pause. Fur-
`thermore, market needs for improved imaging characteristics continue to
`increase as well.
`To respond to these needs, Sony is now releasing the ICX624AQN/CQV/CQZ
`diagonal 7.18 mm (Type 1/2.5) 6.04M-effective pixel interline CCDs. These de-
`vices not only achieve further miniaturization and higher resolution with a 2.03
`µm unit pixel by taking full advantage of Sony’s unique fine fabrication technol-
`ogy, but also improve smear and other imaging characteristics over earlier de-
`vices. 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. A further plus is that these device hold the supply volt-
`age to an even lower level than earlier CCDs to achieve even lower power con-
`sumption, making them truly optimal imaging devices for compact digital still
`cameras.
`
`I Diagonal 7.18 mm (Type 1/2.5),
`6.04M effective pixels
`(2840H × 2128V)
`I Pixel size: 2.03 µm unit pixel
`I 4-field readout
`
`I Supports 30 frame/s VGA moving
`picture imaging
`
`I High sensitivity: 170 mV
`Low smear: -90 dB (for still
`imaging)
`
`I Low power
`
`I New miniature package (QFN)
`
`The trend in pixel counts in consumer digi-
`tal still cameras is about to shift from the
`current mainstream, 5M-pixel devices to
`the 6M-pixel level. To achieve 6M pixels
`in the Type 1/2.5 size, which is the cur-
`rent mainstream in compact digital still
`cameras, Sony had to achieve a high-per-
`formance CCD with a 2.03 µm unit pixel.
`(See table 1.)
`
`V
`
`O
`
`I
`
`C
`
`E
`
`We adopted many of Sony’s
`unique leading-edge technologies
`to improve the sensitivity and
`other imaging characteristics at
`the same time as making the unit
`pixels even smaller. While there
`were many difficulties associated
`with developing these new tech-
`nologies, the project members
`came together as a group and
`solved these one by one to make
`progress towards the technologi-
`cal leap of the 2.0 µm unit pixel. I
`strongly recommend that you con-
`sider adopting this device in your
`digital still camera products with in-
`creasing pixel counts.
`
`High Sensitivity
`Sony succeeded in increasing the light
`sensitive area in the ICX624AQN/CQV/
`CQZ (the ICX624 Series) device pixels
`by reducing the width of the interconnects
`in the pixel block required for CCD drive
`to one half the previous width. Further-
`more, to take maximum advantage of that
`result, Sony developed technology that
`enlarges the aperture area of the photo
`shielding film and, despite reducing the
`unit pixel area by 15% compared to the
`earlier structure, increased the pixel aper-
`ture area by 7%. (See figure 1.) The adop-
`tion of this technology allowed Sony to
`achieve a sensitivity of 170 mV despite
`the extremely fine pixels with a unit pixel
`size of 2.03 µm. (See table 2.)
`
`Low Smear
`To reduce smear, a type of noise that oc-
`curs when imaging high brightness sub-
`jects, Sony developed a new vertical reg-
`ister. To reduce the probability of con-
`tamination by the noise signal, Sony re-
`duced the cross sectional area by 35%
`from the earlier structure. (See figure 2.)
`These improvements made it possible to
`achieve a smear of -90 dB (still imaging)
`in the ICX624 Series devices. (See table
`2.)
`
`Low Power
`In the ICX624 Series, Sony revised the
`structure of the electronic circuits and de-
`vices used in the CCD. These changes
`made it possible to reduce the voltage from
`the 15 V used in earlier products to 12 V
`without harming the signal-to-noise ratio
`or frequency response in the slightest. This
`succeeded in cutting the operating CCD
`power consumption in half.
`
`New Miniature Package
`In addition to the earlier SOP and SON
`package types, Sony also provides these
`devices in the new miniature QFN pack-
`age. The QFN package reduces the area
`by 36% and the thickness by 31% com-
`pared to the AQN package. (See figure 3.)
`Customers can now select an ICX624 de-
`vice from an even wider range of pack-
`ages to match their needs.
`* QFN: Quad Flat Non-Leaded Package
`
`Timing Generator IC
`Sony is also releasing the CXD3639GA
`programmable timing generator IC with
`built-in horizontal and vertical drivers.
`This driver supports not only VGA mov-
`ing picture mode, but high frame rate read-
`out mode and AF mode as well.
`
`APPL-1030 / Page 3 of 4
`APPLE INC. v. COREPHOTONICS LTD.
`
`

`

`ICX624 Series
`
`Unit pixel area
`
`Aperture area
`
`2.03 µm
`
`Unit pixel area:
` Reduced by 15%
`Aperture area:
` Increased by 7%
`
`ICX495AQN
`
`Unit pixel area
`
`Aperture area
`
`2.2 µm
`
`2.2 µm
`
`2.03 µm
`
`I Figure 1 Enlarged View of the Light-Sensitive Area
`
`ICX495AQN
`
`Light ray
`
`ICX624 Series
`
`Light ray
`
`Poly Si
`
`Photodiode
`
`Vertical register
`
`Vertical register cross
`section area:
` Reduced by 35% Vertical register
`
`Poly Si
`
`Vertical register
`
`Photodiode
`
`Vertical register
`
`Smear
`
`I Figure 2 Vertical Register Structure Schematic Diagram
`
`ICX624AQN
`(Previous package: SOP type)
`
`ICX624CQZ
`(New miniature package: QFN type)
`
`7.84
`
`(Units: mm)
`
`1.72
`
`~
`
` 8.41
`
`Area:
`Reduced by 36%
`Thickness:
`Reduced by 31%
`
`10.0
`
`2.50
`
`1Pin
`
`10.0
`
`I Figure 3 Package Dimensions
`
`I Table 1 Device Structure
`
`I Table 2 Image Sensor Characteristics
`
`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
`
`ICX624 Series
`Diagonal 7.18 mm (Type 1/2.5)
`Frame readout interline transfer method
`4-field readout
`Approx. 6.18M (2892H × 2138V)
`Approx. 6.04M (2840H × 2128 V)
`Approx. 6.00M (2832H × 2120 V)
`
`Approx. 5.95M (2816H × 2112 V)
`
`2.03 µm (H) × 2.03 µm (V)
`33.75 MHz
`AQN: 28-pin SOP (Plastic)
`CQV: 28-pin SON (Ceramic)
`CQZ: 27-pin QFN (Ceramic)
`
`4/16-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.
`
`Item
`
`ICX495AQN
`
`ICX624 Series
`
`Sensitivity (G signal)
`
`150 mV (Typ.)
`
`170 mV (Typ.)
`
`Frame readout mode
`4/8-line readout mode∗1
`4/16-line readout mode∗1
`Frame readout mode
`4/8-line readout mode
`4/16-line readout mode
`
`Frame readout mode
`4/8-line readout mode∗1
`
`Saturation
`signal
`
`Smear
`
`Frame
`rate
`
`420 mV (Min.)
`200 mV (Min.)
`200 mV (Min.)
`–86 dB (Typ.)
`–80 dB (Typ.)
`–74 dB (Typ.)
`4.28 frame/s
`
`420 mV (Min.)
`200 mV (Min.)
`200 mV (Min.)
`–90 dB (Typ.)
`–84 dB (Typ.)
`–78 dB (Typ.)
`4.28 frame/s
`
`30 frame/s
`
`30 frame/s
`
`60 frame/s
`
`60 frame/s
`
`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
`
`∗2
`Number of output lines
`· ICX495: 490 lines
`· ICX624: 532 lines
`Number of output lines∗2
`· ICX495: 245 lines
`· ICX624: 266 lines
`
`APPL-1030 / Page 4 of 4
`APPLE INC. v. COREPHOTONICS LTD.
`
`