CMOS image sensors

Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors are among the fastest growing and most exciting new segments of the semiconductor industry. After a decade of research and development, CMOS image sensors have become one of the main silicon technology drivers. In addition, the ability to integrate sensing with processing is enabling a plethora of new imaging applications for the consumer, commercial, and industrial markets. This paper provides an introduction to CMOS image sensor design and operation and discusses their limitations and performance measures. It describes several recent developments that have substantially improved CMOS image sensor imaging quality and functionality, thus broadening their applicability to new large markets such as mobile imaging, digital still cameras, and security.