FRAUNHOFER INSTITUT DUISBURG

In cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institut Duisburg (IMS) we offer the development of customized CMOS image sensors.

The IMS has experience of many years within sensor technology, micro system engineering, integrated circuit design, system and application technology, as well as CAD and testing. Hereby the IMS is the only institut for microelectronic in Germany, which covers all necessary fields for the development of customized image sensors on CMOS basis.

In Duisburg work approx. 250 scientists, engineers and technicians with plants and devices of the newest state of the art. The extensive know-how is constantly extended by own research, which constitutes 20 % of the institute budget. Developments with partners out of science and industry contributes to 25% of the IMS budget. Customized developments are made in direct research and development projects.

The Fraunhofer-IMS develops together with you and EURECA customized solutions for your applications! IMS is able to develop and to manufacture CMOS image sensors based on your specifications in their own semiconductor production line. As reliable partner it takes care for your product from the first idea up to the specifications for the production stage. Due to the own production line it is further very suitable to be your second source or foundry.

Possible forms of a cooperation are:

• Concept and feasibility studies
• Development of demonstrators and prototypes of CMOS image sensors
• Manufacturing of CMOS image sensors in protoypes, small and middle series
• Error analyses, simulations, consultations

CMOS Image Sensors / CMOS Photo Detectors

As a new technology CMOS image sensors plays an ever more important role both for picture recording and image processing, as well as for optical measuring techniques. Applications cover different fields, e.g. multimedia, automotives, industry and building automation, robotics, environmental protection, medicine, visual check for quality control and security applications.		Sequence taken up with the HFR-256 image sensor

The research and development of CMOS image sensors at the Fraunhofer IMS concentrate on the following fields:

1. Innovative development of CMOS image and optical sensors, which means highest performance at low costs to be produced in standard CMOS technology system and application support 2. Research in advanced CMOS image technology, which means development of new photo detectors and selection procedures development of new image sensors and image processing concepts creation of bases for future image and optical measuring systems

Substantial advantages of CMOS image sensors in contrast to CCD image sensors are:

• freely selectable pixel accesses
• high optical sensitivity dynamics
• large temperature range
• small power consumption
• only one supply voltage
• no "blooming", "smearing" or "time lag" and
• possibility of "on chip" electronics integration
  

The last point means that single chip CMOS cameras with clock generation, camera control and working point adjustment, electronic shutter, interfaces and other signal processing functions are possible.

The work covers sensor, circuit and system design including algorithm and software development for image processing and optical measuring technique. A set of one and two dimensional CMOS image sensors for different applications were developed. Based on these sensors systems were developed, which can be used for different laboratory demonstrations and application experiments.

Some examples for this are:

• High speed CMOS image sensor HFR 256 (> 1,000 pictures per second)
• Low power CIF CMOS image sensor (< 35mW)
• CMOS image sensor with high resolution (1Mpixel) and ROI selection with object tracking
• 2D-CMOS optical movement alarm units with NIR lighting (Near Infrared)
• 3D-CMOS image sensor based on the time of flight principle
• CMOS linear sensor with high resolution and high read out speed
• blue sensitive CMOS „pick up“ unit for future DVD blue lasers
• CMOS detector matrix for X-ray-based CT
• CMOS image sensor with 120dB dynamic for automotives applications
  

	Chip photo of the CIF image sensor	Image taken with the CIF image sensor	Chip photo of the HFR256 image sensor

Last updated: 3/17/2010