Micron Technology, Inc., Raises the Bar for CMOS Imaging Technology with New High Resolution Sensor Introductions; New 5-Megapixel and 3.1-Megapixel Sensors Provide Superior Image Quality for Mobile Phones and Digital Still Cameras.BOISE, Idaho “Boise” redirects here. For other uses, see Boise (disambiguation). Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho. It is the county seat of Ada County and the principal city of the Boise metropolitan area. -- 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. , Inc., (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :MU) a worldwide provider of advanced memory and image sensor 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. solutions, today reached a significant milestone with the introduction of a 5-megapixel complementary metal oxide semiconductor See CMOS. (integrated circuit) Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor - (CMOS) A semiconductor fabrication technology using a combination of n- and p-doped semiconductor material to achieve low power dissipation. (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. ) image sensor and 3.1-megapixel 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. , bringing high resolution and high quality images into mainstream image capture applications. The new high resolution CMOS image sensors are equipped with Micron's proprietary low-noise, high-sensitivity DigitalClarity(TM) technology, outputting sharp, clear and vibrant images while extending a device's battery life. The 5-megapixel sensor (Micron part number MT9P001) is designed for use in either digital still camera (DSC (1) (Digital Signal Controller) A microcontroller and DSP combined on the same chip. It adds the interrupt-driven capabilities normally associated with a microcontroller to a DSP, which typically functions as a continuous process. See microcontroller and DSP. ) or camera phone applications, while the 3.1-megapixel (Micron part number MT9T012) sensor is specifically developed for camera phones. "Micron's new 5-megapixel and 3.1-megapixel image sensors really take CMOS imagers to the next level," stated Hisayuki Suzuki, senior director of marketing for Micron. "The image quality and resolution of these new sensors will challenge the dominance of CCD CCD in full charge-coupled device Semiconductor device in which the individual semiconductor components are connected so that the electrical charge at the output of one device provides the input to the next device. technology in the high-volume, point-and-shoot segment of the DSC market and will also bring DSC-class images to the lucrative camera phone market." The image quality of Micron's new sensors now allows mainstream point-and-shoot DSC manufacturers to reap the benefits of CMOS imaging technology which was not previously available to them. These advantages include ease of integration, reduced chip count and simplified board layout, faster frame rates at full resolution and lower overall system costs versus CCD. In contrast to DSC manufacturers who are just now utilizing CMOS imaging technology, camera phone manufacturers have historically used CMOS imaging technology for its established benefits. The 5-megapixel and 3.1-megapixel sensor now provide the ability to deliver DSC-class images on a handset platform. "The ability for consumers to have a high-quality camera that is readily accessible to capture those spur-of-the-moment events is a key selling point selling point n. An aspect of a product or service that is stressed in advertising or marketing. Noun 1. selling point - a characteristic of something that is up for sale that makes it attractive to potential customers for mobile phone manufacturers. Camera phones incorporating Micron's new sensors will enable users to take pictures they want to keep for a lifetime," continued Suzuki. The 5-megapixel and 3.1-megapixel sensors were developed using a pixel size of 2.2 microns square. By shrinking the pixel size, Micron is creating a smaller sensor form factor allowing the camera module to be designed into ever-smaller, high-resolution DSCs and camera phones, while preserving picture quality. Additionally, both sensors feature pixel binning for an enhanced viewing experience, simplified mechanical shutter support and support for multiple interface standards including parallel and serial interfaces. The following are additional key features of Micron's new CMOS image sensors: MT9P001 -- 5-megapixel, 1/2.5-inch optical format (target applications: DSCs, camera phones and PDAs): --Shoots 12 frames per second (fps) at full resolution enabling high speed DSC performance, and up to 30 fps in preview mode --On-chip, 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. ) delivering high quality raw image output required for DSC MT9T012 -- 3.1-megapixel, 1/3.2-inch optical format (target applications: camera phones and PDAs): --Shoots 15 fps at full resolution and up to 30 fps in preview mode --On-chip scaling function that allows selection of an arbitrary image size General customer sampling is now available for the 3.1-megapixel image sensor, with mass production expected in the fourth quarter of 2005. Samples for the 5-megapixel image sensor are expected to be available in November and production is planned in the first quarter of 2006. Micron's CMOS image sensor portfolio offers designers of virtually every image-capture application the flexibility, speed, resolution, feature set, and innovative thinking to develop high-quality products. With its DigitalClarity technology at the foundation of every sensor, Micron is providing manufacturers with best-in-class image quality. Micron's portfolio of CMOS image sensors are used in a variety of applications that span the mobile, consumer, medical, automotive, commercial, industrial and high-speed markets. Additional information about Micron Imaging can be found at http://www.micron.com/products/imaging/. 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 its Web site at www.micron.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the production of the 5-megapixel and 3.1 megapixel CMOS image sensors. 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. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results. Micron, Micron orbit logo, and DigitalClarity are trademarks of Micron Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. |
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