Samsung tailors ISOCELL image sensor for automotive

Update: July 21, 2021

Samsung Electronics has unveiled its first ISOCELL image sensor designed for automotive applications. The ISOCELL Auto 4AC camera sensor is optimized for surround view monitors (SVMs) and rear-view cameras (RVCs) in high-definition (HD) resolution.

The ISOCELL Auto 4AC comes in a 1/3.7-inch optical format with 1.2 million 3.0-µm pixels. An image signal processor (ISP) is embedded in the sensor. It offers advanced 120-decibel (dB) high dynamic range (HDR) and LED flicker mitigation (LFM), particularly for SVMs and RVCs in HD resolution (1280 x 960).

The ISOCELL Auto 4AC is said to offer a safer driving experience with an enhanced field of view thanks to its CornerPixel technology with advanced HDR and LFM capabilities for “exceptional” viewing regardless of lighting conditions.

The CornerPixel technology features a specialized pixel structure that mitigates LED light over 90 hertz (Hz) and captures images in different exposures simultaneously. In the single pixel area, it embeds two photodiodes, one 3.0 µm pixel for low light images, and a 1.0 µm pixel placed at the corner of the big pixel for brighter environments. “With two photodiodes capturing images in different exposures simultaneously, the sensor offers up to 120 dB HDR with minimal motion blur, allowing smoother transitions between dark and bright areas while preserving more details of the road ahead,” said Samsung.

Applications for the ISOCELL Auto 4AC (Source: Samsung Electronics)

In addition, the smaller photodiode’s exposure time can be extended, preventing pulsing LED light from being displayed as flickering on the camera screen, thus minimizing LED flicker for more accurate image data.

The 4AC image sensor meets stringent AEC-Q100 Grade 2 qualifications, including a -40°C to 125°C operating temperature range. Volume production is available now.

about Samsung Electronics