United States : Aptina, a leading innovator of CMOS imaging technology, has announced that its high-performance, feature-rich APS-C format 16 megapixel (MP) MT9H004 image sensor has been chosen as a finalist in the 2010 EDN Innovation Award competition. Leveraging the company’s latest pixel innovation, called Aptina™ DR-Pix™ technology, the 16MP MT9H004 imaging solution was recognized for its unique ability to deliver maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) across all scene lighting and ISO speed conditions.

“We are honored that the MT9H004 was selected as a finalist for EDN Innovation of the Year among the many new products introduced in 2010,” said Sandor Barna, Vice President and General Manager of Aptina’s Camera business unit. “With its unique innovations, most notably our DR-Pix technology, the MT9H004 is a true representation of Aptina’s commitment to provide our customers with the technology, performance, and quality they require.”

Voting Now Open for EDN Innovation Awards

Founded in 1990, the EDN Innovation Awards were designed to honor the most innovative technological advancements – and the designers who invent them. A panel of EDN technical editors selected Aptina’s MT9H004 image sensor from hundreds of entries. The MT9H004 is a finalist in the “Passive Components, Sensors, Indicators, and Interconnects” category. Between February 17 and March 31, EDN’s worldwide readers will use an online ballot (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/886ZQ6R) to select the ultimate winners from among these finalists. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on May 2 in San Jose, Calif.

Aptina’s MT9H004 Sensor with Aptina DR-Pix Technology

To meet performance and image quality requirements for high-end DSLR and mirrorless cameras, designers require an image sensor with very low readout noise for high ISO-speed settings and a large full-well in low ISO-speed conditions.

Through the addition of a pixel-level, dual-conversion gain (DCG) switch, Aptina DR-Pix technology combines two modes of operation in one pixel design – a high conversion gain (HCG) mode with increased sensitivity and low read noise for low-light scenes and a low conversion gain (LCG) mode for large charge handling capacity in bright scenes.

With Aptina’s MT9H004 sensor, a 5dB increase in SNR, almost two full f-stops of range for the camera lens aperture, is achievable under low-light conditions without sacrificing performance in high-light environments, where it can achieve a 47dB max SNR. Other MT9H004 features include 16MP still image capture at 10fps, live-view video support, and 1080p/30fps high-definition video recording.