New Image for CCD Sensor Technology
et Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) research
on a second-generation solid-state image sensor technology has resulted
in a successful implementation of Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor
Active Pixel Sensors (CMOS APS), creating several expansions on Charged
Coupled Device (CCD) technology. Compared to standard CCD, CMOS APS is
less susceptible to radiation damage in space, thus achieving the goal
of smaller and cheaper fabrications enabling the affordability of future
missions and the generation of good scientific data.
Since the 1970's, when Bell Laboratories first developed CCD, camera and video companies have been seeking to improve the technology. CCD's provide good image quality, but they are expensive, power hungry and bulky with their required accessory chips.
JPL's CMOS APS has many NASA applications, including NASA's need for lightweight imaging systems for interplanetary spacecraft. Photobit Corporation, a spinoff company from JPL formed in early 1995, obtained intellectual property rights to the CMOS APS technology to develop and commercialize this revolutionary solid-state image sensor technology. The company is aiming this technology at new markets where small size and low power consumption are needed, such as digital cameras, personal computer videoconferencing, camcorders and portable personal computer video phones. Photobit has established a strategic alliance with Eastman Kodak for digital cameras.
The automotive industry has also been tapped by Photobit. An international manufacturer of high-quality automotive products, called Gentex Corporation, entered into an agreement with Photobit for image sensor technology for products, including automotive rear view mirrors that dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare, trailing vehicle headlights and rear vision systems.
Dental and bone x-rays could also benefit from image sensor technology enhancements, making once costly bone density evaluation technology more affordable for primary physicians, according to David Schick, president and chief executive officer of Schick Technologies, Inc. A developer and manufacturer of digital imaging systems for the dental and medical markets, Schick Technologies is incorporating CMOS APS for medical x-ray products, including bone mineral density measurements. This allows the physician to track the onset of osteoporosis, using less than one-hundredth the dosage of a dental x-ray to the patient.
With dental x-rays, the technology provides the dentist immediate digital feedback of patient dental images with smaller radiation dosage to the patient. In addition, the digital images are easier to store than x-ray film, and they can be manipulated, colorized and enhanced for additional information for the physician to aid and enhance diagnosis and treatment.
For more information, contact Alice Wessen at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Call (818) 354-4930, Fax: (818) 393-4093, E-mail: Alice.S.Wessen@jpl.nasa.gov
Please mention you read about it in Innovation.
This JPL sensor is being marketed
where small size, lightweight and
low-power consumption are needed.
A second-generation solid state image
sensor is creating several expansions
on CCD technology.
