Full performance upgrade: SmartSens launches new SmartClarity®-2

June 23, 2021, Shanghai, China—SmartSens Technology, a technologically advanced CMOS image sensor supplier, today announced the official launch of three new image sensors based on its full performance upgrade technology SmartClarity®-2 - SC230AI/SC430AI/SC530AI.

With the development of 5G and AI intelligence, the security monitoring industry has gradually entered a new era of intelligent security, and CMOS image sensors play a key role in imaging quality. The current security industry is at the starting point of the comprehensive intelligent stage of video. In addition to continuing to develop towards the trend of ultra-high-definition resolution, imaging performance in low-light imaging, color rendering, and near-infrared fill light will continue to improve with the deepening development of the entire security industry technology.

The three products launched this time are new products under the Advanced Imaging (AI) Series, covering 2MP to 5MP video surveillance solutions, and strive to enable the intelligent development of security surveillance video applications with outstanding high-performance imaging performance.

As the first batch of products to implement the SmartClarity®-2 full performance upgrade technology, SC230AI/SC430AI/SC530AI cover the current mainstream 2MP to 5MP resolution requirements in the security industry. Among them, SC530AI is the third 3K-class CMOS image sensor product launched by SmartSens. SmartClarity®-2 incorporates SmartSens' five major upgraded imaging technologies, taking into account imaging performance such as high-sensitivity starlight-level night vision full color, excellent high dynamic range, and near-infrared sensitivity enhancement, pushing the performance of SmartSens AI series products to a higher level.

Night vision in full color, better than ever

Night vision imaging quality plays a vital role in security cameras. As early as 2017, SmartSens launched its night vision full-color imaging products, and has continued to make breakthroughs and innovations in low-light imaging technology. The three new products with SmartClarity®-2 upgraded technology launched this time all use BSI pixel technology combined with ultra-low noise peripheral reading circuits, and are equipped with SmartSens' innovative SFCPixel® patented technology, which effectively improves sensitivity while significantly reducing reading noise by 21%, presenting clearer and more delicate starlight-level night vision full-color images.

In addition, for the ultra-low-light near-infrared fill-in lighting scenarios common in security applications, SmartSens uses advanced near-infrared sensitivity NIR+ technology to significantly improve the quantum efficiency at 850nm to 940nm. Taking SC230AI as an example, its QE quantum efficiency at 850nm can reach 36%, and the QE quantum efficiency at 940nm can reach 21%, making the imaging quality under near-infrared fill-in lighting better than ever before.

Day and night, even better

In addition to the dark night, security cameras also need to work in the daytime with strong light. How to clearly present details between light and dark is particularly important. SmartSens has further improved the full well by upgrading the sensor process. The full well of the three new products is up to 50% higher than that of mainstream similar products, thereby effectively improving the dynamic range and maximum signal-to-noise ratio, and delicately presenting every light and dark detail; in addition, SmartSens has also brought cinema-level color visual effects to SmartClarity®-2 products through upgraded color technology. Combined with PixGain technology, it can support high gain and low gain dual-pixel conversion gain imaging, ensuring that the camera can output high-quality video images both day and night, meeting the advanced visual requirements of emerging smart security application scenarios.

Mr. Ouyang Jian, Deputy General Manager of SmartSens, said: "The security industry is moving towards an era of high-definition and intelligent video applications. In the future, it will develop further with the innovation and transformation of image sensing technology. SmartSens always takes the actual needs of customers as the basis and focuses on the innovation and development of cutting-edge imaging technology. The SmartClarity®-2 series of fully upgraded products released this time, with the support of five upgraded imaging technologies, can bring better imaging effects to current security video applications. Its many excellent performances are also more in line with the development direction of future security customer application upgrades."

SC230AI/SC430AI/SC530AI are three new products in the high-end imaging series launched by SmartSens. Through the five upgraded imaging technologies of SmartClarity®-2 - SFCPixel® patented technology, PixGain technology, near-infrared sensitivity NIR+ technology, ultra-low noise reading circuit and cinema-level color visual effects, they have excellent performance in imaging performance such as starlight-level night vision full color, HDR high dynamic range, near-infrared fill light and color rendering. At the same time, all three products support SmartSens' convenient Pin2Pin upgrade channel, allowing customers to easily iterate. In the future, SmartSens will also launch more SmartClarity®-2 series full-performance upgraded products, striving to empower the intelligent upgrade and development of the global security industry with high-quality video solutions!

SC230AI/SC430AI/SC530AI are now available for sampling. SC230AI has already entered mass production, and SC430AI and SC530AI are expected to enter mass production in July 2021.

About SmartSens Technology

SmartSens Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (SmartSens Technology) is a high-tech enterprise engaged in the research and development, design and service of CMOS image sensor chip products. It was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Shanghai, China. It has R&D centers and sales offices in Beijing, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Hsinchu and San Jose, USA, with a global network. SmartSens is driven by innovation and focuses on providing customers with future-oriented and world-leading CMOS image sensor chip products. With an innovative and global R&D team, SmartSens has independently developed many industry-leading innovative technologies such as excellent night vision full-color technology, SFCPixelTM patented technology, and Stack BSI global exposure technology.

Since its establishment, SmartSens has always focused on the innovation and development of high-end imaging technology. With its performance advantages, it has stood out in the homogeneous competition and has been recognized and favored by more customers. The company's products have also continued to mature and established an industry-leading position in the security field. Its products cover application fields such as security monitoring, vehicle-mounted imaging, machine vision and consumer electronics (sports cameras, drones, sweeping robots, smart home cameras). Since 2017, SmartSens has maintained a leading position in the global market share of CIS products in the security field for many consecutive years, and has become the leading Global Shutter CIS company in the consumer machine vision field. In the future, it will continue to expand and innovate in emerging application fields such as artificial intelligence, mobile phone imaging, and vehicle-mounted electronics.