Sensor modules designed for low light applications

Even in low light, they enable imaging with low noise and a high dynamic range for detailed video and image analysis. FRAMOS offers both sensors on its proprietary sensor modules (FSM).

The new FRAMOS sensor modules FSM-IMX462C and FSM-IMX485C each have a Sony high resolution colour sensor with 2.9µm pixels and a resolution of 2MP and 8MP respectively. High sensitivity and further dark current reductions are achieved using Sony’s own Super High Conversion Gain (SHCG) technology.

SHCG pixels produce a far higher voltage than conventional image sensors even from the tiniest charge (in low incident light). This yields a much stronger signal in the analogue domain. The very good Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR1 value) enables suitable picture quality even in the moonlight.

In addition, the IMX462LQR-C sensor has a significantly higher near-infrared sensitivity (SHCG+NIR). This makes it suitable for IR-illuminated applications, e.g. in surveillance. The digital overlap (DOL) HDR option on both sensors allows up to three exposures to be taken with minimal latency. These can be combined into one HDR image. Especially in difficult, highly dynamic light conditions (e.g. daylight with shadows), the whole scene is captured with more clearly. Both sensors are equipped with an electronic rolling shutter with variable exposure time.

The IMX462LQR-C on the FSM-IMX462C sensor module is a Full HD sensor with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (2.13 MP) and a diagonal of 6.46mm (1/2.8"). At full resolution, it achieves a frame rate of 120fps (at 10 bits).

In contrast, the IMX485LQJ-C on the FSM-IMX485C sensor module is a 4K image sensor with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels (8.3MP) and a diagonal of 12.86mm (1/1.2"). It delivers frame rates of 60fps (at 12 bits) or 90fps (at 10 bits). Aside from surveillance tasks, both sensors are also suitable for all kinds of advanced vision systems.

André Brela, Product Manager at FRAMOS, discusses the expansion of the sensor module ecosystem with the new Sony sensors: “Visually recording our environment is now part of everyday life in many places. The ability to capture image data reliably in difficult lighting situations, with fast movements in dynamic environments, is a specific critical factor that affects the performance of downstream algorithms. Non-existent data cannot be compensated for arbitrarily by artificial intelligence. With the new SHCG pixels, Sony has made another leap forward in image capture. Sony remains unbeaten in terms of pixel performance for wide-scale applications.”