SITWEI launches Super Star Light Level Series 4MP Image Sensor SC485SL
SmartSens has launched the Star Light (SL) Series ultra-starlight-level 4MP image sensor, the SC485SL. As a 1/1.8-inch large target size back-illuminated image sensor, this new product is built on SmartSens' SmartClarity-3 process technology and incorporates multiple advanced technologies such as Lightbox IR and SmartAOV 2.0, offering high sensitivity, high dynamic range, low noise, stable high-temperature imaging, and ultra-low power consumption. It also supports the Always-On Video (AOV) function, providing excellent imaging performance to drive the iterative upgrade of intelligent security applications such as AI black-light full-color cameras.
The SC485SL is SmartSens' first image sensor to feature SmartAOV 2.0 technology, enabling AOV functionality. When an event is triggered, the SC485SL rapidly awakens using its built-in AEC (Automatic Exposure Control), AGC (Automatic Gain Control), and AWB (Automatic White Balance) functions to record at a regular frame rate of 30fps. In the absence of event triggers, the SC485SL can continuously record at an ultra-low frame rate of 1 frame per second in a low-power state, achieving 7*24 hours of all-weather recording. Notably, SmartAOV 2.0 technology offers several upgrades compared to its predecessor. Image processing effects are enhanced, with the CIS's built-in AWB function increased to 16x gain, covering a wider color temperature range for better image color reproduction. The quick start time is optimized by reducing the number of I2C configurations, shortening the image transmission time of the CIS and accelerating its startup process. It also supports interrupt mode, where the CIS sends a corresponding alert level signal to the master SoC chip upon completion of startup, which is more friendly to the master SoC chip compared to traditional polling modes that require reading registers to obtain the CIS startup status information.
With the support of technologies such as Lightbox IR, the SC485SL creates a new night vision full-color experience. Intelligent security applications like AI black-light full-color cameras have successfully achieved full-color image output in extremely dark or lightless environments with ultra-low illumination, posing stricter requirements on the image sensor's light sensitivity and imaging performance. The SC485SL incorporates Lightbox IR and multiple High Dynamic Range (HDR) technologies, leveraging its high sensitivity, high dynamic range, and low noise to provide cameras with clear and accurate images. Based on a back-illuminated pixel architecture design, the new SC485SL adopts SmartSens' SFCPixel patented technology and Lightbox IR near-infrared enhancement technology, achieving excellent light sensitivity performance in both visible and near-infrared bands. Compared to previous technology products, the SC485SL's quantum efficiency (QE) in the 520nm visible light band is improved by about 15%, and its QE in the 850nm and 940nm bands is increased by about 1x and 1.6x, respectively, providing cameras with bright and low-noise images even in dark environments.
The SC485SL supports both CMS2 and CMS4 correlated multi-sampling (CMS) modes and a 12-bit quantization mode, effectively reducing read noise and enhancing the dynamic range. Compared to previous technology products, the SC485SL's read noise (RN) and photo-response non-uniformity (PRNU) are reduced by about 38% and 10%, respectively. Additionally, this new product has an outstanding SNR1s value, which is reduced by about 39% compared to previous technology products. Therefore, in low-light scenarios such as nighttime outdoors and underground parking lots, the SC485SL can still provide cameras with detailed and clear images. The SC485SL supports three modes: single-frame exposure ColGain HDR, 2-frame exposure line-interleaved HDR (2-exposure SHDR), and up to 120dB 3-frame exposure line-interleaved HDR (3-exposure SHDR). These modes effectively retain bright and dark details while inhibiting motion blur, providing cameras with images that are layered and rich in detail. Simultaneously, multiple HDR modes offer more flexible options for customer camera solution configurations.
Thanks to SmartSens' advanced SmartClarity-3 process technology, the SC485SL demonstrates outstanding performance in high-temperature imaging. At 80°C, the SC485SL's dark current and white pixels are significantly reduced by about 73% and 40%, respectively, compared to similar Stacked BSI products in the industry, providing clear, accurate, and true-to-color images even under outdoor high-temperature interference. Furthermore, the SC485SL achieves industry-leading ultra-low power consumption performance through precise control design of its internal circuit modules. It supports three output frame rate modes: 30fps, 60fps, and 90fps, with typical power consumption as low as below 300mW (90fps) and 210mW (60fps), contributing to reduced overall power consumption for camera devices.
