Einfoldtech

The Official Einfoldtech

Reading: Sony Develops the Industry’s First*1 3-Layer Stacked CMOS Image Sensor with DRAM for Smartphones
Share
Font ResizerAa

Einfoldtech

The Official Einfoldtech

Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
    • Home 1
  • Categories
  • Bookmarks
  • More Foxiz
    • Sitemap
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2025 Einfoldtech Company. All Rights Reserved.
Einfoldtech > Page > News > Sony Develops the Industry’s First*1 3-Layer Stacked CMOS Image Sensor with DRAM for Smartphones
News

Sony Develops the Industry’s First*1 3-Layer Stacked CMOS Image Sensor with DRAM for Smartphones

admin
Last updated: 23/02/2017 9:59 AM
admin
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

High-Speed Data Readout Minimizes Distortion*2 in Still Images, and Enables Super Slow Motion Movie Shooting

Sony Corporation today announced the development of the industry’s first*1 3-layer stacked CMOS image sensor with DRAM for smartphones. The new image sensor consists of a DRAM layer added to the conventional 2-layer stacked CMOS image sensor with a layer of back-illuminated structure pixels and a chip affixed with mounted circuits for signal processing.

This newly developed sensor with DRAM delivers fast data readout speeds, making it possible to capture still images of fast-moving subjects with minimal focal plane distortion*2 as well as super slow motion movies at up to 1,000 frames per second (approximately 8x faster than conventional products*3) in full HD (1920×1080 pixels).

In order to realize the high-speed readout, the circuit used to convert the analog video signal from pixels to a digital signal has been doubled from a 2-tier construction to a 4-tier construction in order to improve processing ability. Although there are speed limitations in the interface specifications for outputting signals from image sensors to other LSIs, this sensor uses DRAM to store signals read at high speed temporarily, enabling data to be output at an optimal speed for the standard specifications. As a result, the product is capable of reading one still image of 19.3 million pixels in only 1/120 of a second (approximately 4x faster than conventional products*3), thereby supporting high-speed image capture.

The newly developed sensor also includes solutions for the various technical problems inherent in the design, for instance, reducing the noise generated between the circuits on each of the three layers. Sony has made the most of the expertise in stacked image sensor manufacturing technology, which it pioneered and developed over the years, to ensure that quality and reliability remains high despite the complex three-layered construction.

These development results were announced at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) which started on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in San Francisco.

  • Conventional 2-layer stacked CMOS image sensor
  • Newly developed 3-layer stacked CMOS image sensor with DRAM

Main Features

1. Industry’s first*1 3-layer stacked configuration with DRAM delivers high-speed readout of 19.3 million pixel image in only 1/120 second
With the stacked high-speed, low power consumption, high-capacity DRAM, the new sensor can read one still image of 19.3 million pixels in only 1/120 second (approximately 4x faster than conventional products*3), reducing the time lapse for reading each pixel line. This technology minimizes the focal plane distortion*2 in still images that tends to occur when shooting fast-moving subjects on smartphones, which lack a mechanical shutter for controlling exposure time.
  • Captured in 1/30 second readout
  • Captured in 1/120 second readout
2. Supports shooting of super slow motion movies with a maximum frame rate of 1,000 fps in full HD (1920×1080 pixels)
The high-speed readout capability makes it possible to record up to 1,000 fps (approximately 8x faster than conventional products*3) super slow motion movies in full HD (1920×1080 pixels). Normal speed shooting data and maximum 1,000 fps high-speed shooting data stored on the DRAM are exported from the image sensor for signal processing on an external image signal processor (hereafter referred to as ISP), making it possible to record vibrant movies on a smartphone that seamlessly combine normal speed movies and super slow motion movies. To ensure that users don’t miss split-second moments in super slow motion movies, it is possible to adjust settings so that sudden subject movement is automatically detected and high-speed shooting begins. Because high-speed shooting data is stored on the DRAM and output at a normal speed, a conventional ISP can be used.
Sample super slow motion movie
  • Sectional view of 3-layer stacked CMOS image sensor with DRAM

Key Specifications

Effective pixel count 5520 (H) x 3840 (V) 21.2 megapixels
Image size Diagonal 7.73mm (Type 1/2.3)
Unit cell size 1.22μm (H) x 1.22μm (V)
Frame rate Still images
30fps
4:3 19.3 megapixels / 16:9 17.1 megapixels
Movies
60fps
4K (3840 x 2160)
240fps
Full HD / 720p
Reading speed 8.478 ms (4:3 19.3 megapixels) / 6.962 ms (16:9 17.1 megapixels)
Power supply 2.5V / 1.8V / 1.1V
Image format Bayer RAW
Output MIPI (CSI2) D-PHY 2.2Gbps/lane / C-PHY 2.0Gsps/lane
DRAM capacity 1G bit
*1: As of this announcement on February 7, 2017.
*2: Image distortion (focal plane distortion) specific to CMOS imaging sensors where pixel signals are read one line at a time.
*3: When compared with IMX318, Sony’s CMOS image sensor for smartphones with the same pixel count.
GIGABYTE Launches the New Gaming Case – AORUS C400 GLASS
ASUS Announces ProArt B550-Creator
ASUSTOR Making the Best Even Better – The Lockerstor Gen2 Series
Intel announces new Atom C3000 ‘Denverton’ processors with up to 16 cores
Apple introduces eighth-generation iPad with a huge jump in performance
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Previous Article Synology® Announces Official Release of DiskStation Manager 6.1
Next Article Intel announces new Atom C3000 ‘Denverton’ processors with up to 16 cores
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Review

ASUS ROG STRIX B850-F Gaming WiFi: Unleashing Gaming Power
Review
ASRock B860M-X WiFi: A Budget-Friendly Micro ATX Motherboard with Solid Features
Review
ASUS RT-BE92U Review – Next-Level Smart Home WiFi 7
Review
Gigabyte AORUS RX 9070 XT ELITE: A 1440p & 4K Beast That Challenges the High-End
Review
Gigabyte Radeon RX 9070 GAMING OC 16G: Power, Performance, and Precision for Gamers
Review
ASRock X870E Taichi: High-Performance Ryzen 9 9950X3D for Enthusiasts & Gamer
Review
ASUS TUF GAMING B850M-PLUS WIFI – Built for Durability and Performance
Review
ASRock B850M-X WiFi: Affordable Feature-Packed Micro-ATX Motherboard for AM5 Next-Gen Performance
Review
ASUS ROG STRIX B860-A GAMING WIFI
Review
ASRock Z890 Pro RS WiFi White – Review
Review

Facebook Page

© 2025 Einfoldtech Company. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?