SAN JOSE, Calif.--()--Aptina, a leading developer of CMOS imaging systems enabling Imaging Everywhere™ has partnered with the Duke Imaging and Spectroscopy (DISP) for the AWARE gigapixel camera program as an image sensor supplier. The AWARE program, funded by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, was created to construct a multi-microcamera platform to capture wide field-of-view images. The result is a camera with gigapixel resolution that is capable of capturing an image of a sports stadium and seeing every person clearly. With five times the resolution of the human eye, only a camera with gigapixel resolution can achieve this level of image capture. The AWARE-2 camera uses an array of microcameras equipped with Aptina’s 14MP image sensors to make gigapixel imaging possible.
David J. Brady, the Michael J. Fitzpatrick Professor at Duke University leads DISP and spearheaded the AWARE-2 program, ultimately selecting Aptina to supply the program with modified MT9F002 14-megapixel CMOS image sensors and camera system support. “We chose Aptina’s 14-megapixel sensor because it provided the resolution, quality and speed required by the project,” said David Brady, project lead. “Their support is much appreciated and contributed to the success of the program.”
Like the AWARE-2 multi-sensor gigapixel camera project by DISP, Aptina is conducting research and development on the multi-array concept and extending the idea of capturing images using multi-sensor and multi-camera solutions. “Providing image sensors for the AWARE-2 camera was an honor, and we look forward to our continued work with Duke and the AWARE team,” said Bob Gove, President and CTO at Aptina. “While the AWARE-2 camera uses a large array of individual sensors each in a micro-camera, we are committed to the miniaturization of the multi-array concept, achieved by integrating multiple imaging arrays within an individual sensor chip. These miniaturized single-chip multi-array solutions could revolutionize the imaging industry, enabling exciting new features and applications.”
Aptina’s work in this area includes various prototyped multi-array sensors including sensors containing imaging arrays from three to 25 individual imaging arrays. Aptina envisions a range of future applications to include smartphone cameras with exceptional color performance, depth mapping for gesture recognition and gaming, security, medical and military uses. Multi-array cameras provide a new direction from traditional cameras that opens the possibility for extremely flexible designs for both normal photography and computer vision for new human interactive systems.
About Aptina
Aptina is a global provider of CMOS imaging solutions that enable Imaging Everywhere™. Using performance enhancing technologies like Aptina A-Pix™Aptina A-PixHS™ , DR-Pix™ and award winning MobileHDR™, Aptina has created a market-leading portfolio of image sensor products found in leading consumer electronics like smartphones, tablets, laptops, digital and video cameras, as well as applications in surveillance, automotive, medical, video conferencing, and gaming. Aptina drives innovation in the market with products like the 14MP MT9F002 used in the AWARE-2 gigapixel multi-array camera, the AR0331 surveillance image sensor, and the MT9H004 16MP APS-C DSLR camera sensor. Privately held, Aptina’s investors include Riverwood Capital, TPG Capital and Micron Technology. For additional information on Aptina visit www.aptina.com.
©2012 Aptina Imaging Corporation. All rights reserved. Information is subject to change without notice. Aptina, A-Pix, A-PixHS, DR-Pix, MobileHDR, the Aptina logo, and Imaging Everywhere are trademarks of Aptina Imaging Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For more information on the AWARE-2 program, visit Duke University’s web site:
The AWARE camera program: http://www.disp.duke.edu/projects/AWARE/index.ptml
Images taken with the camera: http://disp.duke.edu/projects/AWARE/press/index.ptml