National CMOS sensors target industrial apps

The LM96XX family of CMOS sensors from National Semiconductor Corp. offers low power dissipation, and improved dynamic range and light sensitivity suitable for a variety of consumer and industrial imaging applications in wireless access devices, entry-level digital cameras, security cameras, and scanners.

The monochrome LM9618 and color LM9628 VGA CMOS image sensors are claimed to offer a wide linear and non-linear dynamic range, enough to deliver crisp images in uneven light distribution environments. This capability allows them to be used in outdoor applications such as lane tracking, collision avoidance, automobile rear-view mirrors and security cameras.

Designed for motion detection and tracking, the LM9630 is a monochrome sub-QCIF sensor that features a frame rate >600 frames per second. It can operate over the entire industrial temperature range and is capable of delivering high contrast images in low light conditions.

With an optical format of 12.7mm, the 1.3-megapixel monochrome LM9638 and color LM9648 sensors have a high performance analog front end that makes them suitable for use in applications that require high quality image capture, such as security cameras, as well as clip-on and embedded cameras for PDA's and cell phones

The monochrome LM9637 and color LM9647 VGA CMOS image sensors have an optical format of 6.35mm and are used for biometrics and 2D barcode scanners, as well as PDA and cellphone clip-on and embedded cameras. Their architecture, pixel design, and color filters are identical with the company's LM9638 and LM9648.

Available in a 48-pin CLCC package, the LM9618 and LM9628 are priced at $11.40 each, while LM9638 and LM9648 are quoted at $13.50. Shipped in a 32-pin CLCC package, the LM9637 and LM9647 are priced at $7 each, while the LM9630 retails at $8.