ams launches new series of high-speed industrial image sensors with ultra-high resolution

ams, a leading provider of high-performance sensor solutions, has launched a new family of image sensors, the CSG series, which enables manufacturers to develop advanced industrial vision equipment with higher resolution at very high frame rates. The new CSG14K and CSG8K sensors support standard 1” or 1/1.1” optical target sizes, respectively, enabling factory operators using high-speed inspection equipment to increase production capacity with improved quality and better failure detection.

The CSG14K is a global shutter image sensor that combines high resolution of 13.8 megapixels with high-speed operation: the sensor captures images at a maximum rate of up to 140 frames per second in 10-bit mode at full resolution and 93.6 frames per second in 12-bit mode. The CSG8K can achieve even higher speeds: up to 231 frames per second in 10-bit mode at full resolution of 8 megapixels and 155 frames per second in 12-bit mode. Both products are global shutter image sensors that perform true correlated double sampling (true-CDS) to capture sharp images of fast-moving objects without motion artifacts.

CSG image sensors with standard optical targets combine high speed and high resolution, making them ideal for industrial, security monitoring, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), and broadcast video applications. In industrial applications such as PCB assembly, CSG sensors improve image quality and frame rates, allowing automated optical inspection (AOI) cameras to find defects such as missing or improperly mounted electronic components more efficiently and accurately than before.

The new family of sensors launched today by ams is powerful enough to operate in six modes, including binning. When operating in line scan or windowed mode, the effective frame rate can be much higher than the nominal frame rate at full resolution.

“AOI is a vital part of the quality control process in modern factories. CSG image sensors offer industrial camera manufacturers a simple way to improve product performance by delivering outstanding frame rates and resolution, thereby helping customers increase throughput, productivity and quality. All in a single standard optical format,” said Peter Vandersteegen, Marketing Manager for the CMOS Image Sensors business unit at ams.

High performance in every situation

The CSG series of sensors deliver outstanding image quality even under the most demanding conditions. They are the first products to benefit from a new pixel technology design from ams that is known for its low noise and high sensitivity, as well as its high dynamic range and the ability to operate the sensor in HDR mode. With these features, the CSG14K and CSG8K global shutter sensors produce sharp and detailed images even when operating in dim light.

The sensor has a sub-LVDS data interface, similar to ams’ CMV series image sensors. Both sensors are available in a 20 mm x 22 mm LGA package with the same size and pinout, and are software compatible. The CSG14K has an aspect ratio of 1:1 and is suitable for 29 mm x 29 mm C-mount industrial cameras. The CSG8K has an aspect ratio of 16:9 and is suitable for video applications.

Because these sensors share a common hardware platform and common interfaces, it is easy for camera manufacturers to build multiple product variants based on the same hardware design, making it easy to meet different customer preferences for speed, resolution, and aspect ratio with low development cost.

The CSG14K and CSG8K sensors are sampling now.