ALTASENS UNVEILS ALTACHROME HD CMOS IMAGING SENSORS.AltaSens, Thousand Oaks, Calif. a pioneer in supplying high- performance CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) Pronounced "c-moss." The most widely used integrated circuit design. It is found in almost every electronic product from handheld devices to mainframes. imaging sensors to leading manufacturers of HD cameras, has begun shipping engineering samples of its newly developed AltaChrome A337x-4T series of sensors to key customers. Aimed squarely at the exploding HD camera market, the new 2.5-megapixel imaging System-on-Chip (iSoC) A337x-4T sensor delivers high-quality 1080p video in the popular 1/3- inch optical format with exceptional flexibility for HD prosumer (PROfessional conSUMER) A person who is very knowledgeable about a subject and likes to purchase high-quality equipment. For example, many digital cameras fall into the prosumer category. , consumer, videoconferencing, IP network, and security cameras. The A337x-4T joins a recently announced sibling in the AltaChrome family, the A5262-4T, which is a dual-use sensor producing still images at 5M resolution (1/2.8-inch) as well as full-resolution HD video at 1080p. Offered in color (A3372-4T) and monochrome (A3370-4T) versions, the A337x- 4T iSoC delivers up to 2000x1132 pixel resolution pixel resolution Telemedicine The sharpness of a computerized image, based on pixel concentration, which determines display resolution with high image quality at a continuously variable progressive frame rate, ranging from a few frames per minute to a maximum frame rate of 72 frames per second at full 1080p HD resolution. Cameras equipped with A337x-4T iSoCs thus bring special-effect, time-lapse, and slow-motion recording-features previously reserved only for high-end broadcast and cinematography cinematography: see motion picture photography. cinematography Art and technology of motion-picture photography. It involves the composition of a scene, lighting of the set and actors, choice of cameras, camera angle, and integration of special cameras-to the consumer market. Like all AltaChrome sensors, the A337x-4T series boasts a low-power 20-bit iSoC architecture with 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC (1) See A/D converter. (2) (Apple Display Connector) A peripheral connector from Apple that combines digital video display, USB and power in one cable. ), high-sensitivity 4T pixels with wide exposure latitude, and low power consumption. Because of an optimum pixel size of 2.7 microns per side and extremely low noise, A337x-4T sensors also exhibit best-in-class Signal-to-Noise ratio The ratio of the power or volume (amplitude) of a signal to the amount of unwanted interference (the noise) that has mixed in with it. Measured in decibels, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR or S/N) measures the clarity of the signal in a circuit or a wired or wireless transmission channel. and dynamic range. The result is lifelike color rendition in a popular, cost- effective optical format serving consumer and professional cameras. Laurent Blanquart, vice president of Engineering at AltaSens, remarks that "AltaSens' unique combination of 4T pinned photodiode A light sensor (photodetector) that allows current to flow in one direction from one side to the other when it absorbs photons (light). The more light, the more the current. Used to detect light pulses in optical fibers and other light-sensitive applications, it works the opposite of a , low-noise signal chain, low power architecture, and programmable controller and data processor provides significant advantages for our customers. While the sensor's iSoC operations are fully programmable and can thereby deliver high quality when specifically tuned for an application, our design methodology also seamlessly embeds customer-driven features that further enhance sensor versatility and performance in next-generation cameras." The color version of the sensor (A3372-4T) is ideal for videoconference, camcorder, and security applications. The sensor's exceptional clarity in dim light enables color cameras to capture true HD resolution at light levels significantly below 0.5 lux. The sensor's flexible resolution and frame rates enable native camera or multiformat support from VGA (Video Graphics Array) The display standard for the PC. All PC display adapters support VGA, and Windows machines boot up in "VGA mode" before switching to higher resolutions. or PAL through HD. VGA/ PAL is generated at up to 240 Hz, double-VGA or PAL at up to 120 Hz, 720p at up to 120Hz (1/4-inch), and 1080p at 30, 60 and 72 Hz. The monochrome version of the sensor (A3370-4T) will immediately upgrade today's professional and prosumer three-sensor cameras to full native 1080p resolution with high-quality 4:4:4 color, while obviating the need for any interim solutions using cumbersome and questionable techniques including pixel shifting, slanting, and anamorphic See anamorphic lens and anamorphic DVD. pixellation. AltaChrome A337x-4T sensors offer full support for AltaSens' BitsDReam(TM) technology, which extend dynamic range from 12 bits to 14 bits or more at slightly reduced frame rates. AltaChrome A337x-4T engineering samples and evaluation kits are now available. About AltaSens With headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California Thousand Oaks, commonly referred to as "T.O." by residents, is a city in southeastern Ventura County, California, in the United States. It was named after the many oak trees that grace the area, and the city seal is adorned with an oak. , AltaSens, Inc. is the premier supplier of high performance CMOS image sensors for the emerging world of high definition video. The AltaChrome(TM) and ProCamHD(TM) families of image sensors are used worldwide in a diverse range of imaging products spanning such markets as broadcast/professional, camcorder, videoconferencing, telepresence Meaning "long distance presence," it refers to videoconferencing applications that feel like a live meeting. Notable features are larger screens that may approach a virtual reality environment and sensors that keep at least one window focused on whomever is speaking at the moment. , medical, machine vision, and surveillance. AltaSens' HD imaging system-on-chip CMOS video sensors deliver a technology that enables lower noise, lower power consumption, higher sensitivity, higher frame rate, and higher dynamic range in a cost-effective solution. For more information, visit http://www.altasens.com or call 650/934-8272. |
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