Sony to Release Large Format CMOS Image Sensor with Global Shutter Function and Industry's Highest Effective Pixel Count of 127.68 Megapixels

Delivering Increased Pixel Count, High-Speed Imaging Performance, and Contributing to Solutions in the Field of Advanced, Diversified Industrial Equipment

News provided by

Sony Corporation, Tokyo

Mar 10, 2021, 10:00 ET

TOKYO, March 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Corporation announced today the upcoming release of a large format 56.73mm diagonal CMOS image sensor "IMX661" for industrial equipment with a global shutter function and the industry's highest^*1 effective pixel count of 127.68 megapixels.^*2

IMX661 CMOS Image Sensor (left: color model, right: black and white model)

Image sensor optical size (imaging area) comparison*6, area ratio about 10 times (1.1-type comparison) *6: When a lens with the same focal length is used

Device configuration using chip-on-wafer process

This product features an increased pixel count that yields an optical size nearly 10 times larger than the common 1.1-type image sensor corresponded to the C mount^*3 for industrial equipment. It also features Sony's original global shutter pixel technology "Pregius^™", which enables capture of motion distortion-free images. Furthermore, the Sony's original device configuration and interface technology employed enable high-speed image readout at a data rate nearly four times faster^*4 than conventional products.

Sony expects that the new sensor, when used in industrial equipment cameras for a wide variety of applications, will help to solve a variety of complex challenges, thereby contributing to the development of industry.

*1: Among CMOS image sensors equipped with a global shutter. According to Sony research (as of announcement on March 9, 2021).
*2: Based on image sensor effective pixel specification method.
*3: The joining mechanism between lens and the camera body.
*4: Compared to Sony's "IMX253" 1.1 type, 12.37 effective megapixels CMOS image sensor equipped with a global shutter function.

Model name	Sample shipment date (planned)^*5
IMX661 3.6 type (56.73 mm diagonal) 127.68-effective-megapixel CMOS image sensor	April 2021

*5: The dates given for sample shipment date (planned) are for the color model. Black and white model samples will be available for shipment approximately one month later.

Needs for automation, labor-saving and other benefits of digital transformation continue to grow in recent years in various fields of industrial equipment. This has accelerated the adoption of cameras for a wide variety of applications, driving demand for CMOS image sensors with higher imaging performance.

The new product couples Sony's Pregius technology with the 3.6-type (56.73mm diagonal) large optical size, delivering an increased pixel count and motion distortion-free imaging. The original device configuration, which employs a chip-on-wafer process, together with Sony's original interface technology, enables high-speed readout nearly four times faster than conventional products^*4 in full-pixel readout mode. This design delivers highly efficient imaging that captures a wide viewing angle with no motion distortion in a single imaging operation. It also improves recognition precision thanks to the high-resolution imaging and delivers a high level of processing performance. It can contribute to solutions for a variety of industrial equipment applications, for example, inspection processes for production of displays and electronic substrates, wide-area monitoring, and aerial photography, where its improved precision and quicker readout will help meet the need for a high level of productivity.

Main Features

The industry's highest effective pixel count of 127.68 megapixels

High-speed image readout
Generally, increased pixel count means increased signal processing volume, which causes issues such as a drop in frame rate and longer readout times. In order to realize high-speed readout, it is necessary to improve the processing functionality of the AD converter which converts the analog signal output from the pixel to digital signals, and at the same time, increase the speed of the output interface.
This product features Sony's original device configuration employing a chip-on-wafer process where chips with certain functions are stacked on top of the pixel wafer, allowing for optimal positioning of the AD converter. This design improves AD converter processing functionality without increasing the size.
The new sensor also employs the Scalable Low Voltage Signaling with Embedded Clock (SLVS-EC™)*7 high-speed interface standard developed by Sony, in order to make output interface faster. These two original technologies enable 127.68 megapixels,10bits,21.8fps, which is a high-speed output data rate nearly four times faster than conventional models*4. The dramatic increase in multi-pixel and readout speed greatly contribute to the improvement of productivity in industrial applications.

*7: A data transfer method that uses an embedded clock signal. This eliminates the need for skew adjustment between lanes and reduces the amount of wiring needed, making board design simpler and suitable for higher speeds.

Equipped with signal processing capabilities needed for a variety of industrial applications

Key Specifications

Model name	IMX661 (color, black and white)
Unit cell size	3.45 μm x 3.45 μm (H x V)
Effective pixels	13,400 x 9,528 (H x V), 127.68 megapixels
Image size	Diagonal 56.73 mm (3.6-type)
Active area	46.2 mm x 32.9 mm (H x V)
Package	Ceramic LGA
Micro lens	EPD –100mm (CRA 15.8 degrees)
Power supply	Analog: 3.3V Digital: 1.2V Interface: 1.8V
Output	4.7Gbps/lane SLVS-EC 16/8/4 lane 891Mbps/lane SLVS 16 lane
Frame rate	14 bit: 12.9 fps 12 bit: 19.6 fps 10 bit: 21.8 fps
Main functions	Global shutter, trigger synchronization, ROI, gradation compression, multi-exposure, short exposure, pixel binning readout