CMOS 이미지 센서 판매를 촉진하는 신기술 혁신 - KIPOST

Called after the way that it is fabricated on a wafer fabrication facility using a CMOS chip-making technology, the CMOS image sensors are widely being used in digital cameras and camera phones to detect and then convert light signals into electrical ones. As chip makers are now working hard on an array of new technology breakthroughs to make up the shortcomings of the CMOS image sensors, new applications markets will likely be unearthed. According to market research firm Yole Development, CMOS image sensor market is expected to grow at an 11% CAGR, or compounded average growth rate in revenue during the 2012-2017 period, leapfrogging from US$6.6 billion in 2012 to US$11 billion in 2017. Driving the hockey-stick growth trajectory are three just emerging, but potentially prospective applications markets- tablet PC, automotive and smart TV markets. Tablets are best poised to boost CIS sales in the consumer market, as the majority of tablets have one or two cameras, similarly to mobile phones. Yole forecasts that the CIS sales for tablets will represent nearly US$1.5 billion in 2017. From another standpoint, car manufacturers have begun equipping cars with multiple cameras to meet ever-stringent regulations for safety and driver assistance systems. CMOS image sensors are a key technology enabler for the fast-growing ADAS, or advanced drivers' assistance system. CMOS image sensor market for automotive applications is expected to reach US$400 million in 2017, and will drive the need for high-performance sensors with special features like global shutter, very high dynamic range, and low-light sensitivity. This is completely different market requirements from those for camera phone market where higher resolution matters more than any other feature. Yole predicts that CMOS image sensor market for automotive applications would grow at a CAGR of 36% during the 2012-2017 period. Smart TV makes are also clamoring for higher light sensitivity CMOS image sensors to power up its motion-recognition UI, or user interface system. As living room TVs mostly work in low-light environments, they are in desperate need for sensitive enough CMOS image sensors that can read human motion even in dimly-lit environments. CMOS image sensor market for smart TV are forecast to grow at a CAGR of 51% between 2012 and 2017. To satisfy these new market requirements, CMOS image sensor chip makers are putting new technology breakthroughs to commercial test, including 3D Time-of-Flight imaging, computational imaging, quantum dot film, and single photon counting, according to Yole. Meanwhile, Sony has already released its own new breakthrough called as stacked CMOS sensor architecture for consumer market. By stacking pixels on the signal processing circuit rather than vertically aligning them next to each other, Sony came to achieve greater sensitivity, faster readout, and much higher signal processing integration on its newly developed stacked CMOS image sensor chip. Reminiscent of the way that the debut of BSI, or backside illumination technology in 2010 has accelerated the penetration of CMOS image sensor chips into a wide array of new applications markets, Sony's new technology breakthrough promises to open up huge new market opportunities. True enough, the BSI technology has reshaped the entire competitive landscape of CMOS image sensor market, enabling them to replace CCD sensors as cheaper alternative for high-end digital cameras. While the BSI-in-built CMOS image sensors cost 20% more to manufacture, compared with standard CMOS sensors, they enabled a dramatic increase in sensor sensitivity. The high sensitivity allowed chip makers to cram more of smaller pixels into a single silicon die, opening the way for CMOS sensors to penetrate into high-end DSC markets. Sony and Ominivision were the first two makers to debut the BSI technology. BSI image sensors make up for 25% of total CIS sales in 2012. This fast adoption of the BSI technology is expected to reach more than 70% by 2017, topping US$7.7 billion in revenue. BSI image sensors are now being used in mobile phone, camcorders and DSC, and will soon carve out niches even in the upper-end professional markets where CMOS is in competition with CCD. (Credit for charts and diagrams: Yole Development)