Digital Still Camera CCD Features 3.98M Pixels
ICX406AQ (primary color, DIP)
ICX406AQF (primary color, SOP)
Due to the increasing popularity of digital still cameras the
demand for high-resolution prints is growing stronger. To respond
to this demand, Sony has developed the ICX406AQ/AQF diagonal
8.98 mm (Type 1/1.8) 3.98M-pixel interlaced CCD.
In addition to providing high resolution with an effective pixel count
of 3.98M pixels, the ICX406 Series devices also achieve high
sensitivity.
These devices also provide a high frame rate readout mode, AF
modes, and other functions to improve the feedback speed to the
AE/AF control systems and for realizing angle of view verification
in an LCD finder.
The ICX406AQ/AQF is a diagonal 8.98
mm (Type 1/1.8) 3.98M-pixel CCD
image sensor developed for high-reso-
lution digital still cameras. This device
provides high-resolution image captur-
ing when used in conjunction with a me-
chanical shutter. Table 1 presents the
device structure of the ICX406 Series
devices.
V
High-Resolution Diagonal 8.98 mm (Type 1/1.8)
Sony has now developed a 4.0 M-
pixel CCD to respond to the un-
relenting demands for increased
pixel counts. Using this newly-
developed CCD provides even
higher resolution and achieves
image quality even closer to that
of conventional photographs. I
am confident that users of this
device will be fully satisfied, and
strongly recommend that you
look into it for your camera prod-
ucts.
O
I
C
E
By developing a 3.125
unit pixel, Sony was able to achieve
3.98M effective pixels (2312H
1720V) in a diagonal 8.98 mm (Type
1/1.8) device. This achieves a resolu-
tion of approximately 1,300 TV lines
in both the horizontal and vertical
directions. (See photograph 1.)
These devices feature improved colli-
mation by the fine fabrication of
on-chip microlenses with an optimized
shape. Despite miniaturization of the
unit pixel, these devices achieve a
sensitivity of 220 mV (green signal).
(See table 2.)
In addition to high frame rate readout
mode, which is effective for realizing
angle of view verification in real time
using the LCD finder and for acquiring
the data used for AE/AF and other
control operations, these devices also
provide even higher speed AF modes.
By discarding part of the effective 215
lines of data provided by high frame rate
readout mode, AF mode can output 60
frames per second in AF mode 1 and
120 frames per second in AF mode 2.
Use of these AF modes can make feed-
High Resolution
High Sensitivity
High Frame Rate Readout
Mode and AF Modes
m square
back to the AF control system even faster.
In addition to the CXD3605R built-in
vertical driver timing generator IC,
Sony also provides the CXD3408GA,
which integrates timing generator, CDS,
PGA, and A/D converter functions on a
single chip. Since the CXD3408GA is
provided in the ultrasmall CSP (Chip
Scale Package), it can radically reduce
both mounting area and footprint, and
can contribute to digital still camera
miniaturization. (See figure 2.)
High resolution
Effective pixels: 3.98M pixels (2312H
High sensitivity: 220 mV (G signal)
High frame rate readout mode (30
frame/s)
AF modes (60 frame/s, 120 frame/s)
1720V)
System IC