Polymer Optical Systems & CMOS photo ASICs
...offer even more opportunities for cost reduction:
- Dedicated photo sensors with optimized arrangement and shape of the detector elements allow pre-processing in the optical domain; polymer optics can be shaped to deliver the optimum optical signal rather than only a "nice picture".
- CMOS photo sensors can be equipped with on-chip processing circuitry to form photo ASICs ("active pixel" sensors); the resulting increased pixel pitch perfectly matches to a slightly aberrated optical signal delivered by an inexpensive plastic optical component.
Examples:
- 3-D TOF sensor (developed by
CSEM , improved and marketed by MESA Imaging):
instant 3-D vision for surveillance and robotics
- artificial retina sensor (developed by
CSEM ):
Optical Character Recognition, handheld scanner for payment slips "MoneyPen" (developed by CSEM for
XEMTEC AG),
remote readout for counters
(developed by CSEM for
ABB /
Elster AMCO Water, Inc.)
- Vision sensor (developed by
CSEM ):
sensor with extremely large dynamic range and on-chip processing; bright prospects in surveillance, automotive applications, and industrial control.
The key to success: Integrated system design of opto-sensor and optics
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