STMicroelectronics Introduces Automotive Image Sensor to Help Scale Affordable in Cabin Sensing
STMicroelectronics has introduced the ST SafeSense VD56GA, a new 1.1 MP automotive image sensor specifically designed for infrared in-cabin sensing. This sensor aims to assist automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers in scaling driver and occupant monitoring systems across various vehicle lines, achieving a balance between performance, integration, and cost-effectiveness.
The VD56GA is engineered to facilitate in-cabin imaging without introducing unnecessary system cost or design complexity. Its compact sensor architecture, high infrared sensitivity, and integrated image-processing capabilities are designed to streamline camera design and integration processes. The sensor is also developed to provide camera developers with the necessary image quality for robust driver and occupant monitoring, while maintaining the size and cost benefits of a compact form factor.
This sensor is designed to significantly reduce the overall cost of the camera module. Its advanced imaging performance allows for the use of more affordable optics, simplified infrared illumination, less stringent optical filtering requirements, and eliminates the need for external image processing. This approach offers a more economical pathway for OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to implement driver and occupant monitoring across a wider array of vehicle programs.
The VD56GA incorporates ST DeepNIR, a backside-illuminated pixel architecture specifically optimized for infrared imaging. This technology delivers a 35% higher modulation transfer function (MTF) sharpness and nearly 60% higher quantum efficiency compared to the previous generation. This combination of optical resolution and infrared sensitivity addresses demanding conditions, including applications such as under-display cameras.
Specifications
| Product | Resolution | Package | Image sharpness improvement vs. previous generation | Infrared sensitivity improvement vs. previous generation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST SafeSense VD56GA | 1.1 MP | 3.7 mm x 3.2 mm CSP | 35% higher MTF sharpness | Nearly 60% higher quantum efficiency |
Key Features
- ST SafeSense VD56GA is a 1.1 MP automotive image sensor for infrared in-cabin sensing.
- The sensor uses a backside-illuminated pixel architecture called ST DeepNIR, optimized for infrared imaging.
- VD56GA provides 35% higher modulation transfer function (MTF) sharpness than the previous generation.
- VD56GA provides nearly 60% higher quantum efficiency than the previous generation.
- The sensor has a compact 3.7 mm x 3.2 mm CSP package for space-constrained installations and next-generation in-cabin camera designs.
- Embedded image-processing functions include mirror, crop, dark calibration, auto exposure, and piecewise-linear processing.
- The embedded image-processing functions remove the need for external image-processing resources, simplifying camera design and speeding development.
- Support for both RAW and YUV output formats provides flexibility across different electronic architectures and software environments.
- The sensor's imaging performance enables lower-cost optics, simplified infrared illumination, and less demanding optical filtering.
- VD56GA is designed to reduce the cost of the complete camera module and support high-volume vehicle programs.
Applications
- Driver monitoring systems.
- Occupant monitoring systems.
- Infrared in-cabin sensing.
- In-cabin camera designs for space-constrained installations.
- Under-display camera use cases.
- Driver and occupant monitoring across a broader range of vehicle programs.
