ON Semiconductor introduces scalable image sensor platform

     ON Semiconductor announces a scalable family of CMOS image sensors for Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving applications. On Semiconductor's latest sensor family offers automotive manufacturers and tier 1 suppliers a wide selection of powerful imaging devices based on a common platform and combination of features.

     These sensors have a resolution ranging from 8.3MP (megapixels) to 1.2MP and a pixel size of 4.2um, with industry-leading micro-light performance. Other features include functional safety up to ASIL-C, high dynamic range (HDR), an industry-first network security option, and second-generation wafer stacking technology that reduces package size. The platform's products are currently being evaluated by a number of technology partners, including Mobileye and NVIDIA, for their DRIVE AI computing platform for autonomous vehicles.

     The AR0820AT, AR0220AT and AR0138AT form a scalable family of image sensors that offer a variety of resolutions suitable for next-generation ADAS and autonomous driving systems. Automakers require different resolutions to address their segmented product lines, and specific safety features are standard, but additional cameras or higher-resolution cameras can provide customers with more advanced safety and luxury feature options.

     As the industry moves from secondary systems, including emergency autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-change assistance, to fully autonomous driving, ON Semiconductor's image sensors enable increasingly demanding ADAS and autonomous driving capabilities. The large 4.2um pixel provides leading performance in low-light scenarios, such as emergency braking when encountering pedestrians and cyclists at night, which has been added to the safety tests defined by the European NCAP. The series' network security technology helps ensure safe and reliable operation, especially since multiple cameras around the car body are connected to a central system, and data and commands must be transmitted through a line between sensors and processors.

     For advanced imaging capabilities, software and algorithm testing is often the most time consuming part of a development plan. On Semiconductor's family of scalable image sensors allows customers to start early development with a single sensor, adapt its algorithms to pixel performance and system characteristics, and then expand to more resolutions through further testing. This reduces time-to-market and overall development costs that require a series of camera systems to begin with.

     Ross Jatou, vice president and general manager, Automotive Solutions Division, ON Semiconductor, said: "As the number of image sensors on vehicles increases, having a scalable platform with common core features and pixel architecture is even more important for automakers to bring new safety and autonomous driving features to market quickly and efficiently. Our deep collaboration with our customers and the advanced features of our new image sensor family enable our customers to develop different ADAS and autonomous driving programs."