Re: New CCD"s ?
Re: New CCD"s ?
- Subject: Re: New CCD"s ?
- From: Ian Craig <email@hidden>
- Date: Thu, 02 May 2002 09:38:22 -0400
Dave,
From a recent "blurb" on the new chip...
"PERFORMANCE ADVANCES OF FOVEON X3 TECHNOLOGY
1. Image sensors with Foveon X3 technology are much less susceptible to
digital artifacts and create sharper images.
Current color image sensors (CCD and CMOS) contain just one layer of
monochromatic photo detectors, with one photo detector per pixel. To capture
color, the pixels in the image sensor are organized in a mosaic pattern
resembling a three-color checkerboard. As a result, each pixel captures just
one color-red, green or blue. The use of mosaic color filters in image
sensors has inherent drawbacks, no matter how many pixels a mosaic-based
image sensor might contain. Image sensors with Foveon X3 technology produce
accurate color every time because it captures three colors at every pixel
instead of one.
2. VPS: Video Performance and High Resolution in a single chip.
Foveon X3 sensors come with a new feature known as Variable Pixel Size
(VPS), bringing the benefits of small and large pixels together into a
single image sensor. Smaller pixels offer higher resolution and sharper
images demanded by still photography. Larger pixels promote higher light
sensitivity that is needed for low light situations, faster auto focus
systems and video applications. The changing of pixel sizes can be
accomplished instantaneously and is only achieved with the full-color
capture of the Foveon X3 technology.
3. The only image sensors that capture color images by taking advantage
of the natural color-separating properties of silicon.
Foveon X3 image sensors are the world's first to use silicon as a color
filter. It is a well-known property of silicon that light of different
colors is absorbed at different depths in the silicon. Each Foveon X3 pixel
consists of three photo detectors located at different depths within the
sensor to detect the absorption of the red, green and blue light that has
penetrated the silicon. Foveon is the first and only company to use silicon
color separation for designing color image sensors for digital cameras.
4. Less Complex, Lower Cost.
Foveon X3 image sensors will streamline the electronic designs of digital
cameras. Today's digital cameras use mosaic color filters and require
complex mathematical algorithms to estimate the red, green and blue value of
pixel, since only one color per pixel is being truly measured. To accomplish
this interpolation, dedicated processing hardware and software are required
inside the camera. Color interpolation adds cost and complexity to a camera
while increasing delays between clicking the shutter button and capturing a
picture, which can result in the difference between capturing a great
picture or missing an important moment. By capturing all three colors at
every pixel, Foveon X3-based image sensors eliminate the need for costly,
complex and error-prone color interpolation. Foveon X3 enables improved
image quality, simplified camera designs and increased click-to-capture
performance."
--
I Craig
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