(iTers News) - What’s dubbed as Dual Pixel image sensor technology has been mainly implemented into DSLR cameras so far, as its two diode-embedded pixel structure is so complex that it is tough to shrink the pixel size, making it difficult to cram as many pixels as possible into a single chip die to achieve high resolution.

The constraints in the pixel size shrinking has hindered the adoption of Dual Pixel CMOS image sensor into smart phones, which strongly require small form factor , but high resolution features.

Samsung Electronics made it to the two challenges. Thanks to its 68nm circuitry technology, the chip maker is now producing 12 megapixel, or MP Dual Pixel CMOS image sensor chips in volume.

The 1.4μm-pixel-based image sensor come equipped with Dual Pixel technology, but doesn’t compromise the picture resolution.

Conventional CMOS image sensors are built with two different types of pixels – ones for image capturing and the others for phase-detection auto-focus, as each pixel contains only one photo diode.

Under the conventional one photodiode design scheme, less than 5% of the total pixels built in the CMOS image sensor are dedicated to detecting phases by converting light particles into measurable photo-currents. The downside of the limited resources for the phase detection auto focus is the slower auto focus of images, leading to blurred photo images of fast-moving objects, or in dimly and low light environment.

On the contrary, each pixel of the Dual Pixel technology works both as a phase-difference auto focus sensor and image sensing points, as it contains two independent photodiodes that perform both tasks.

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As with the case, every pixel of the Dual Pixel image sensor is capable of detecting phase differences of perceived light.

The two didoes structure translates into rapid auto-focus for faster photo shooting while producing premium image quality on mobile devices, even in low light situations.

“With 12 million pixels working as a phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) agent, the new image sensor brings professional auto-focusing performance to a mobile device,” said Ben K. Hur, Vice President of Marketing, System LSI Business at Samsung Electronics. “Consumers will be able to capture their daily events and precious moments instantly on a smartphone as the moments unfold, regardless of lighting conditions.”

The image sensor has also adopted Samsung’s ISOCELL technology, which isolates the photodiodes in each pixel with a physical wall to further reduce color cross talk, maximizing the image sensor’s performance.

For top-of-the-line performance while keeping the size to a minimum, the new image sensor is built with cutting-edge chip-stacking technology.

The Dual Pixel image sensor stacks a 65 nm sensor and 28nm logic chip together to deliver outstanding photo-taking experiences in today’s sleek smartphones. The 12MP Dual Pixel image sensor is being used with Samsung's Galaxy S7 and S7 edge smartphones.

 

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