Aptina Imaging Boosts Technology Portfolio with New CMOS Enhancements.Optimized Process Being Integrated Into Array of New Products SAN JOSE San Jose, city, United States San Jose (sănəzā`, săn hōzā`), city (1990 pop. 782,248), seat of Santa Clara co., W central Calif.; founded 1777, inc. 1850. , Calif. -- Aptina Imaging announced today that recent advancements in its CMOS image sensor A CMOS-based chip that records the intensities of light as variable charges similar to a CCD chip. Although initially used in less expensive digital cameras, the quality of CMOS sensors has improved steadily. CMOS sensors have advantages over CCDs. technology portfolio will be integrated into an array of new products for the mobile phone, high performance, surveillance and automotive markets. Aptina was created as a separate division of Micron Technology Micron Technology ("Micron") NYSE: MU is a multinational company based in Boise, Idaho, USA, best known for producing many forms of semiconductor devices. This includes DRAM, SDRAM, flash memory, and CMOS image sensing chips. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :MU) in March of this year, providing the newly branded division with increased flexibility and a pure play imaging pursuit in the CMOS image sensor market. This separation has also provided Aptina with the opportunity to take on new technology challenges such as those recently added to the company's technology portfolio. Key Milestones in 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 Before becoming Aptina, Micron Imaging achieved key milestones in CMOS image sensors include developing the world's first 2.2-micron pixel architecture, pioneering 1.75-micron pixel architecture and 1.4-micron pixel architecture. As a leader in the mobile market, Micron secured designs in one of every three camera phones on the market. Similarly, the company's high performance technology made them an early industry leader in high-speed image capture, bringing high-definition capabilities to digital still cameras and video cameras like those demonstrated in the super high definition projects for NHK NHK Nippon Hoso Kyokai (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) NHK Nihon Hoso Kyokai (Japanese Broadcasting Association) NHK Nihon Hikikomori Kyokai (anime) (Japan Broadcasting Corporation). Market Focus Aptina's focus on imaging expertise provides a valuable backdrop to the technology the company is working on to meet the demands of the market, now and for the future. "As technologists, we inherently look for new ways to advance imaging technology. One example is the work we've done in directing light within pixels. This work allows us to make higher resolution image sensors An image sensor is a device that converts a visual image to an electric signal. It is used chiefly in digital cameras and other imaging devices. It is usually an array of charge-coupled devices (CCD) or CMOS sensors such as active-pixel sensors. in smaller form factors which enable the user to capture high quality images from any device anywhere. Working closely with our customers assists us in understanding existing markets and finding the right technologies for new markets requiring new solutions," says Bob Gove, President and Chief Technology Officer of Aptina. The company provides its customers with a broad range of solutions within mobile, digital still and video cameras, and industry solutions in automotive and security/surveillance. These solutions leverage the technology that Aptina has become known for, including shrinking pixels, improved pixel performance, and innovative technology. Shrinking Pixels Shrinking pixels is one of the key components in the technology integral to meeting the demand for higher resolution in consumer devices ranging from high-end mobile phones to point-and-shoot cameras A film or digital camera in which the focus and exposure is entirely automatic. You aim and press the button; the camera does the rest. Point-and-shoot cameras can range from cheap throw-aways to pocket-sized digitals. and personal media video recorders See DVR, DVD-R and DVD drives. . Small devices demand a small form factor which is enabled by the 1.4-micron pixel technology that Aptina announced in March of this year. Aptina's 1.4-micron pixel technology uses a proprietary process that optimizes the amount of light being funneled into the pixel's most sensitive area by focusing on the color filter array In photography, a color filter array (CFA), or color filter mosaic (CFM), is a mosaic of tiny color filters placed over the pixel sensors of an image sensor to capture color information. , the light guide and the 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 . Using this technology, Aptina is able to produce 1.4-micron pixel high resolution image quality that outperforms today's leading-edge 1.75-micron pixels. The pixel is based on Aptina's new 90-nanometer copper process, which not only improves pixel performance but also reduces the physical size of the sensor, meeting the small form factor requirements of consumer devices. Measurably Improved Pixel Performance Aptina's 1.4-micron pixel technology lends itself to other imaging solutions and contains elements that enhance or improve the results of larger pixels, including Aptina's 1.75-micron pixel. By applying the 1.4-micron pixel's optimized technology to its 1.75-micron pixel, Aptina has significantly enhanced the 1.75-micron pixel performance. Optical 3-D simulations reveal an increase in light collection and reduced optical crosstalk (1) Electromagnetic interference that comes from an adjacent wire. "Alien" crosstalk is interference that comes from a wire in an adjacent cable, for example, when two or more twisted wire pair cables are bundled together. resulting in an overall increased level of sensitivity of 2X. The technology's optimized light collection capabilities result in higher quality images for the consumer. "The results we have seen with our new 1.4-micron pixel technology have inspired us to integrate these innovations into our 1.75-micron pixel products going forward," says Terry Gilton, Vice President of Technology at Aptina. "This decision says a great deal about the advancements we have made in optimizing the pixel optical path." Gilton adds "Innovation is the key to the future of imaging. We are exploring Backside Illumination in at least three forms and several variations on Frontside Illumination to create products that meet our customer's needs today and moving forward." Looking Forward "Aptina is continually striving for best-in-class image quality and continued leadership in core markets and manufacturing excellence," says Sandor Barna, Vice President of Marketing at Aptina. "As Aptina leverages its new business autonomy in the market, the company looks to generate market disruption Market Disruption A situation where markets cease to function in a regular manner, typically characterized by rapid and large market declines. Market disruptions can result from both physical threats to the stock exchange or a unusual trading (as in a crash). via growth and exploration with its technology portfolio containing the improved 1.4-micron pixel and enhanced 1.75-micron pixel products which will be in production the second half of Q4," he adds. [c]2008 Micron Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Information is subject to change without notice. About Aptina Imaging Aptina, a division of Micron Technology is a leading provider of 2, 3 and 5 mega-pixel CMOS image sensors to the industry's most popular, mainstream and high-end mobile phone manufacturers. Aptina's CMOS sensors bring high-quality picture and video capabilities to mobile phones, digital still cameras, personal media video recorders, security and surveillance cameras, PC cameras, automotive applications, and more. Aptina continues to drive innovation in the market with its growing portfolio of CMOS technologies and image sensor solutions. For additional information on Aptina Imaging, visit www.aptina.com. About Micron Micron Technology, Inc., is one of the world's leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions. Through its worldwide operations, Micron manufactures and markets DRAMs, NAND flash See flash memory. memory, CMOS image sensors, other semiconductor components, and memory modules for use in leading-edge computing, consumer, networking, and mobile products. Micron's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. (NYSE) under the MU symbol. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc., visit www.micron.com. Aptina, the Aptina logo, Micron and the Micron orbit logo are trademarks of Micron Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. This press release contains forward-looking statements forward-looking statement A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections. . Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the documents the Company files on a consolidated basis from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the Company's most recent Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. and Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. . These documents contain and identify important factors that could cause the actual results for the Company on a consolidated basis to differ materially from those contained in our forward-looking statements (see Certain Factors). Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. |
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