Vision and Imaging Sensors / Detectors
CMOS Image Sensor is suited for driver assistance/driverless cars.
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Press Release Summary:
Available in monochrome, RCCC, color RGBG, and color RGBC versions for automotive safety applications, MLX75421 Blackbird features on-chip functional safety (ASIL) support functions, 1344 x 1008 pixel resolution, and 1/3 in. optical format. Four stabilized kneepoint high dynamic range (HDR) response curve provides up to 125 dB of HDR inside every frame. Dark leakage is <5 electrons/sec at 25°C, and dark temporal noise is <4.4 electrons for 1/30 sec exposure time.
Original Press Release:
Automotive 1.35Mpixel CMOS Image Sensor for Driver Assistance & Driverless Cars
Combines industry-leading image quality with ASIL-ready support functions that will expedite the emergence of autonomous vehicles
• Moonless night conditions down to 0.005 lux (SNR1 illuminance)
• 125dB HDR output without additional ISP chip
• Reduced flicker effect of pulsing LED lights
• Extensive set of self-testing ASIL support functions for emerging safety systems
Detroit — Melexis introduces its 3rd generation of automotive image sensors - the MLX75421 Blackbird. This automotive grade, high dynamic range (HDR) image sensor features an extensive set of on-chip functional safety (ASIL) support functions. It has been architected for automotive safety applications like automatic emergency braking (AEB), electronic mirrors/camera monitor systems (CMS) and autonomous evasive steering. The device is also highly optimized for next generation viewing applications like surround/rear view systems with object detection functions.
The MLX75421 Blackbird’s set of ASIL support functions are explicitly aimed at a cost-effective implementation of ASIL systems. These functions take care of the digital aspects but moreover also cover the sensor’s analog functions and the sensor interface. As a result, the sensor generates an embedded ‘frame valid’ flag for every frame based on intensive run-time self-testing.
With a resolution of 1344x1008 pixels, the MLX75421 Blackbird has a 1/3” optical format. It features a 4 stabilized kneepoint HDR response curve which provides up to 125dB of HDR inside every frame. The HDR full frame rate is 45fps, while 60fps can be achieved when capturing image data from 800 rows. This makes the image sensor also compatible with 720p applications. The device runs fully automatically in HDR mode without the need for a companion chip.
Designed for low noise operation, the MLX75421 Blackbird has a dark leakage of less than 5 electrons/s at 25°C and dark temporal noise of less than 4.4 electrons for a 1/30s exposure time. This results in an SNR1 illuminance value of 0.005lux for light with a wavelength of 535nm over a 1/30s exposure time. The device has a wide operating temperature range of -40°C to +115°C, which benefits its temperature robustness.
“Cost-effective support for ASIL systems was a key design specification from the start. For Blackbird’s functional safety design, we drew the company’s internally available functional safety expertise as Melexis already manufactures other ASIL ready sensors. This resulted in an impressively smart functional safety design and gives us a head start in targeting safety systems like AEB and other autonomous functions for driverless cars,” states Cliff De Locht, Product Marketing Manager at Melexis.
“For almost every automotive camera function, car manufacturers and their technology partners are telling us that they need markedly improved low-light performance on what is currently available from image sensor suppliers. Drivers who have earlier generation camera systems in their cars generally want to see more at night. Also upcoming New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) 5-star car ratings are expected to include night conditions for pedestrian and bicycle detection. That’s why we made camera sensitivity and low noise design paramount when developing the Blackbird series. The result is best in class low-light and HDR behavior,” De Locht concludes.
The MLX75421 Blackbird image sensor series consists of 4 versions: monochrome, RCCC, color RGBG and color RGBC. Production is planned to start early 2015.
Product info: www.melexis.com/mlx75421
Contact Melexis
Marketing
Peter Riendeau
Melexis Inc
15 Trafalgar Sq., Ste. 100
Nashua, NH 03063
USA
Tel: 603-204-2900
Fax: 603 578-1270
pre@melexis.com
Sales
Diane Thill
Melexis Inc
27333 Meadowbrook Road,
Suite 200 Novi MI 48377
USA
Tel: 248-306-5400
Fax: 248-662-2041
dth@melexis.com
About Melexis
Melexis Microelectronic Integrated Systems N.V. (Euronext Brussels:MELE) imagines, creates and delivers innovative mixed signal integrated circuits. Melexis ICs are driving green solutions that enable our customers to bring more energy efficient automotive systems to market. Melexis product portfolio addresses 4 classes of ICs; Sensor, Optoelectronic, Wireless and Actuators. Sensors include magnetic, MEMS, and sensor interface ICs. Optoelectronic products encompass linear arrays, single point sensors, infrared thermometers and CMOS wide dynamic range and night vision cameras. Wireless ICs focus on RKE, TPMS, ISM band applications, NFC, RFID reader and smart tag solutions. Actuator ICs cover LIN and CAN bus networking ICs and advanced BLDC motor driver technology. Melexis is proud of its participation toward reducing the human race's global environmental footprint.
For more information visit www.melexis.com
Issued by:
Mike Green
Pinnacle Marketing Communications Ltd
Tel: +44 208 4296 543
E-mail: m.green@pinnaclemarcom.com
Web: www.pinnacle-marketing.com
