SmartSens Launches 13MP Resolution High-Performance Image Sensor for Mobile Applications

June 27, 2024, Shanghai, China — SmartSens (Shanghai) Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. (Shanghai) has launched a new 13MP resolution 1/3.06-inch image sensor for mobile applications - SC130HS. SC130HS is SmartSens' first mobile image sensor built on the SmartClarity®-XL process platform . The new SC130HS is manufactured using a 55nm Stacked BSI process and is equipped with SmartSens' advanced imaging technologies and processes such as SFCPixel® and PixGain HDR®. With its performance advantages such as high dynamic range, high frame rate, low noise, and low power consumption, it can bring outstanding quality image performance to high-end smartphone front cameras and mainstream smartphone main cameras.

High dynamic range and low noise, showing the beauty of real images

Built on the SmartClarity®-XL process platform, the SC130HS features a Stacked BSI architecture and is supported by SmartSens' advanced imaging technologies such as SFCPixel® and PixGain HDR®. With high sensitivity, high dynamic range, and low noise, it can meet the needs of image capture in various lighting scenarios, including daily light and night scenes.

High sensitivity

SC130HS uses SmartSens' unique SFCPixel® technology, which significantly improves photosensitivity. Compared with the same-specification single-layer BSI products in the industry, the photosensitivity and quantum efficiency (QE) of SC130HS are increased by about 25% and 12% respectively, and clear images can be output even in dark environments such as at night and indoors on rainy days.

High Dynamic Range

The SC130HS has two modes: PixGain HDR® and Staggered HDR. When shooting in complex lighting environments, it can effectively preserve the light and dark details of the picture, bringing a picture with a clear hierarchy of light and dark. When taking portraits, the skin color and skin details are presented more realistically and accurately.

Low noise

To improve image clarity and quality, the SC130HS is equipped with two correlated multi-sampling (CMS) modes, CMS2 and CMS4, which can further significantly reduce dynamic noise. Compared with the industry's single-layer BSI products of the same specifications, the read noise (RN) and PRNU of the SC130HS are reduced by approximately 20% and 38%, respectively. Under high temperature conditions of 60°C, its dark current (DC) and white point (White Pixel) are relatively reduced by approximately 22% and 71%, respectively, and its DSNU is reduced by approximately 57%. It is not afraid of the high temperature interference caused by continuous video recording on smartphones, and presents a natural, pure, and detail-rich picture.

High frame rate and fast focus, every frame is captured instantly

The evolution of mobile imaging allows smartphone users to record and share their lives and create images anytime, anywhere. SC130HS can support high frame rate image output in multiple formats, including 13MP full-resolution video (normal mode: 60fps; HDR mode: 30fps), 1080P 120fps and 720P 240fps slow-motion video. In addition, SC130HS supports PDAF phase detection focus, which can achieve fast and accurate focus in dark or moving scenes, thus bringing clear images to smartphone cameras and helping users easily capture wonderful moments.

Ultra-low power consumption helps smartphones extend battery life

Thanks to SmartSens' advanced SmartClarity®-XL process platform and low-power design, SC130HS has excellent low-power performance. The power consumption of SC130HS is about 12% lower than that of the same-specification single-layer BSI products in the industry, helping to reduce the power consumption of smartphones and alleviate the anxiety of mobile phone battery life.

In addition, the chip size of SC130HS is only 5350μm*4350μm, which can be used to create smaller smartphone camera modules, which is conducive to optimizing the body space of smartphones.

Dr. Yaowu Mo, co-founder and CTO of SmartSens, said: "As SmartSens' first mobile image sensor product built on the SmartClarity®-XL process platform, the SC130HS uses advanced processes such as hybrid-bond stacked BSI and is equipped with SmartSens patented technologies such as SFCPixel® and PixGain HDR®. It combines performance advantages such as high dynamic range, high frame rate, low noise, and low power consumption. It can output high-frame rate images in multiple formats such as 13MP/1080P/720P, taking into account image capture in daily light and dark scenes. In addition, the SC130HS supports MIPI C-PHY and D-PHY interface protocols, with a maximum transmission rate of 2.5Gbps/lane, meeting the image data transmission needs of smartphones. The SC130HS can provide high-quality images for high-end smartphone imaging systems and promote the upgrading of mobile imaging capabilities."

The SC130HS is currently accepting samples and is expected to be put into mass production in Q3 2024.