CMOS image sensors have evolved faster than CCD and now perform better in key image quality areas like sensitivity in low light, modulation transfer function, blooming, and dynamic range. Even with high quality image sensors, camera manufacturers must perform image processing to optimize quality and take advantage of the sensor's capabilities. Tests show the CMOS sensor having lower read noise, better sensitivity at various wavelengths and temperatures, improved MTF at longer wavelengths, and less smear compared to the CCD sensor. For industrial cameras, camera manufacturers calibrate processing over temperature for attributes like color, defects, uniformity, and linearity to maximize the CMOS sensor's performance for real-time decision making.

1. 1
CCD versus CMOS for Industrial
Cameras Update
Change over from
CCD to CMOS is now

2. 2
CCD versus CMOS 2015
• CMOS has evolved much faster than CCD
- Big investments in cell phone cameras/consumer market.
• Latest CMOS image sensors perform even better than
CCD on key image quality parameters:
- Sensitivity in low light
- MTF
- Blooming & smear
- Dynamic range
• Even with high quality of the starting image sensor,
image processing is required by the camera
manufacturer.

3. 3
4 electrons read noise
CMOS (IMX174)
CCD (ICX674)
Performance improvements with CMOS
Low light color (300 mLux)
The light level of 0.3 Lux is just an
example; it doesn’t show the limiting
light levels of these image sensors.
9 electrons read noise

4. 4
Performance improvements with CMOS
QE/Dark noise (Sensitivity) vs. Various Wavelengths
the CMOS sensor (IMX174) is
more sensitive than the CCD
sensor (ICX674) at all
wavelengths and at increased
temperatures

5. 5
Performance improvements with CMOS
MTF
The improved MTF of the
CMOS sensor (IMX174) over
the CCD sensor (ICX674) is
most evident in the longer
wavelengths

6. 6
TMX7 (ICX674) TMX74 (IMX174)
Performance improvements with CMOS
Blooming and Smear
CCD
ICX674
CMOS
IMX174
Smear only occurs with CCD
image sensor

7. 7
Performance improvements with CMOS
Blooming and Smear
CMOS
IMX174
CCD
ICX674
the CCD sensor has a more
severe smear artifact from
the flash outside the
integration period

8. 8
CMOS performance must be maximized by
camera manufacturer
Competitor IMX174 Camera Adimec TMX74 (IMX174 camera)
Image sensor related image processing is required
and should be calibrated over temperature, such as
color processing, defect pixel correction, uniformity
correction (column, row, shading), and linearity
correction.

9. 9
Competitor IMX174 Camera Adimec TMX74
All image processing is done
to optimize image quality
and take full advantage of
the MTF of the image sensor..
This is critical for real-time
decision-making.

10. 10
CCD versus CMOS 2015 Notes
• The images included are stills from real time video at Full HD and
60 frames per second.
• The light level of 0.3 Lux is just an example; it doesn’t show the
limiting light levels of these image sensors.
• The CCD camera uses a top quality image sensor.
• Color images are color-processed; lower light levels can be
achieved with monochrome image sensors.
• We wanted to compare real life situations so the cameras are
uncooled and running at full speed around room temperature.
• The scene is just package materials to show off what can be
done.

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www.adimec.com