IDS Will Not Be Affected by Sony’s Decision to Stop CCD Sensors Production

With more than 10 years expertise in developing CMOS industrial cameras, IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH will not be affected by the recent announcement by global market leader, Sony, that it will stop the production of CCD sensors in March 2017.

Recognising the huge developments in CMOS sensor technology, IDS decided three years ago to stop engineering new CCD cameras and concentrate solely on CMOS cameras.

Although Sony’s CCD sensor production will cease in 2017, delivery is guaranteed for some sensors into 2020 and others into 2026. This gives users of CCD cameras enough lead time to ensure the supply for long-term projects or to switch to CMOS technology. CMOS sensors are already beginning to surpass CCDs in many respects, including image quality, sensitivity and frame rates.

IDS can already offer an extensive portfolio of GigE, USB2.0 and USB3.0 CMOS cameras featuring high-performance sensors by Aptina, CMOSIS and e2v as well as Sony themselves. Cameras with sensors by ON Semiconductor are also in preparation. The trend-setting Sony IMX 174 Pregius CMOS sensor is already available in IDS USB 3.0 camera series with comparative tests according to the EMVA 1288 standard showing that these cameras have the best specifications in the market. In addition, the full roadmap of Sony Pregius CMOS sensors will be integrated into future products.

Modern CMOS image sensors provide a host of capabilities such as multiple AOI, line scan or HDR mode that expand the range of applications significantly and the IDS Software Suite software supplied with every IDS camera allows users to utilise as many of those features as they wish. The IDS Software Suite allows mixed operation and switching between all IDS cameras whether they have the GigE or USB interfaces, and is even the same for CMOS or CCD sensors. This unique uniformity ensures continuity for users of any IDS camera.

For all current users of CCD cameras IDS will be happy to discuss the application and its life cycle in preparation for future transition to CMOS models.