CCD Sensors in Image Processing
CCD image sensors have long been used in photography, video surveillance, medical technology, and other applications. They convert optical signals into electronic signals and are able to deliver high-quality images with high resolution and color depth. Learn more about the functionality, application areas, and possible limitations of CCD sensor technology.
Le moderne telecamere CMOS come sostituto delle telecamere CCD
Nel nostro white paper spieghiamo i vantaggi dei moderni sensori CMOS rispetto ai sensori CCD:
Quando si dovrebbe pensare di cambiare la tecnologia della telecamera?
Come scegliere la telecamera successiva giusta?
Quale sforzo di integrazione è necessario?
Structure and function of CCD image sensors
CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensors in digital cameras convert the incident light into electronic signals. CCD technology is based on the internal photoelectric effect: when light is incident, electrons are released from a layer of the semiconductor and transferred to a conduction band. The resulting charges are first collected in a so-called potential well before they are read out row-by-row or column-by-column. The charge is shifted from one potential well to the next. The signal is amplified at the end of the line. This analog voltage is converted into a digital value. All the data collected forms the raw image data (i.e. the data provided by the sensor without further processing).
CCD cameras in industry: application areas & limitations
CCD image sensors are used in many applications, including industrial image processing or security monitoring. They are particularly suited for applications that require high resolution and sensitivity, such as microscopy or semiconductor inspection.
However, sensor technologies in image processing are in a state of flux. Since 2015, there have been no further developments in CCD technology since Sony, the leading manufacturer, decided to discontinue the production of CCD sensors. In contrast, CMOS technology has been driven forward with major investments. CMOS sensors have long been able to keep up with CCD sensors and even deliver better image quality at a much lower cost.
Quando è opportuno passare dal CCD al CMOS?
Oltre alle prestazioni dei sensori CMOS, anche la limitata disponibilità di sensori di immagine CCD sta rapidamente determinando il cambiamento tecnologico. In generale, si può iniziare a cambiare in qualsiasi momento. Un passaggio rapido si traduce spesso in un aumento delle prestazioni dell'applicazione e in una riduzione dei costi della telecamera. È meglio calcolare quale sia l'opzione più conveniente per te.
Checklist for the technology changeover
If one or more of the following questions can be answered with "yes", the switch to CMOS technology should be made. This applies both to existing systems and to new systems in development:
Do I want to increase the performance of my system through higher frame rates ?
Do I want an increase in performance so that I can see more, even in difficult lighting conditions ?
Is image interference, such as visible lines, blooming, or smearing, a problem?
Do I want to achieve a cost reduction in my system?
Is the existing sensor technology discontinued or will it be discontinued in the short term?
Comparison of different sensor technologies
What are the advantages of CMOS sensors? Find out more about the comparison of CCD and CMOS sensors here.
Comparison of CCD and CMOS sensors