David, remember your comments about future video existing only in digital form? Here's an video imaging chip which receives light in and produces digital out -- the only analog is inside the chip.
techweb.com
June 23, 1997, Issue: 959
Analog Processors -- Integrated CCD gets the picture
By Stephan Ohr
Fremont, Calif. - Exar Corp. is offering the digital-video-camera market
a series of integrated front-end components-what it calls "Analog Image
Processors"-that are essentially charge-coupled devices (CCD) with
specialized outputs for digital-camera applications.
The XRD4460 component digitizes images for video camcorders,
video cameras and digital still cameras, as well as copiers and document
scanners. Other apps include PC-to-PC videoconferencing, suggests
John Sramek, who heads the company's Video and Imaging business
unit.
The device is intended to simplify construction of digital-camera
equipment with an integrated, easy-to-implement device. The chip
includes a correlated double-image sample-and-hold circuit, a
programmable gain amplifier, and 10-bit, 20-MHz A/D converter (with
built-in offset calibration). The gain amplifier has programmable gain
values from 2 to 80, said Sramek.
The device will accept a single-ended or differential input. It includes a
power-down mode. The part comes in two versions, the XRD4460,
designed to function at 5 V, and the XRD44L60, designed for 3 V. The
3-V part will sample images at 15 MHz, compared with 20 MHz for the
5-V part. However, the 5-V part will dissipate 250 mW at full tilt; the
3-V part will dissipate 150 mW. Both parts will consume less than 1
mW in their power-down mode.
The XRD4460, said Sramek, is a product of Exar's growing expertise in
high-speed, high-resolution A/D conversion. He foresees a split in the
market for digital cameras. In the future, he said, digital still cameras will
accept 18- or 20-MHz sample rates, but demand higher resolutions than
10 bits. The digital video (moving picture) cameras will accept 8-bit
resolution, but demand 40- to 60-MHz sampling rates. The 1,000-piece
pricing is $5.95 and samples are available now.
John Sramek, (510) 668-7778
sramek@exar.com |
