Application of CMOS Image Sensor in Design of ALEXA Digital Camera

Cypress Semiconductor Corp. has announced that ARRI (Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH) has adopted a CMOS image sensor from its Image Sensor Business Unit in its latest 35mm ALEXA digital camera design .

　　The ALEXA camera, which retains the look and feel of a 35mm movie camera, is ARRI's fastest-selling camera. It has been used in a variety of film shoots, including 3D movies and commercials. In this fast-growing market segment, the ALEXA, powered by Cypress image sensors, outperforms ARRI's traditional CCD- and CMOS-based competing products.

　　ALEXA is manufactured at ARRI's Munich facility and offers a file-based workflow that allows images to be edited and color corrected immediately, eliminating lengthy transfer processes and speeding up post-production. In addition, the camera's dynamic range, rugged housing (suitable for use in all weather conditions) and simple menu control make it the perfect choice for cinematographers.

　　Cypress’ custom CMOS image sensors were also used in ARRI’s ARRIFLEX D20/D21 digital movie cameras, the predecessor to ALEXA. Cypress’s experience with this, combined with its extensive experience with many other sensor designs, enabled it to improve the performance of the ALEXA sensor.

　　Cypress's range of customized image sensors are used in a variety of applications, including industrial and medical X-ray, endoscopy, machine vision, planetary tracking and space remote sensing, barcode scanning, biometrics, cinematography, high-speed assembly line sensors and high-speed motion analysis sensors.

　　“Our full-service experience in custom image sensors positions us as a one-stop shop for product engineering, product definition and production support,” said Georges Hiltrop, general manager of Cypress’ Image Sensor Business Unit. “As CMOS sensors gain market share, Cypress is committed to building on our knowledge base and working closely with customers to deliver optimized products.”

　　“We are thrilled with the performance and market response to the ALEXA camera,” said Franz Kraus, Executive Director of ARRI. “The Cypress team exceeded our already high expectations, delivering an exceptional sensor on time and meeting our feature requirements.”

　　Cypress Image Sensor

　　Cypress provides standard and customized CMOS image sensors for consumer, industrial and professional applications. Consumer applications include solutions for the fast-growing high-speed machine vision, motion detection, medical imaging, intelligent transportation systems, security and barcode applications. Cypress's customized CMOS image sensors have the characteristics of ultra-high pixel count, large imaging area, ultra-high frame rate, large dynamic range and high sensitivity.

　　CMOS image sensors fully demonstrate Cypress's excellent technology and market capabilities and expand its many existing market areas, in which Cypress's timing, USB solutions, configurable microcontrollers and memories all occupy an important position.