Dec 8 2008
Aptina, a subsidiary created by Micron Technology earlier this year, announced today that it recently shipped its one billionth image sensor. The achievement points to the growing demand for Aptina's high quality CMOS imaging sensors as well as Micron's manufacturing strength.
"Shipping our one billionth image sensor is a significant milestone for Aptina and our partnership with Micron Technology," notes Bob Gove, President and Chief Technology Officer. "In the seven years since we began in the CMOS imaging market, our products have played a major role in the rapid adoption of digital imaging by consumers, and within the electronics industry. The pervasive use of digital imaging in cell phones, point-and-shoot cameras, PC/notebooks, surveillance systems and automobiles has been fueled by the compelling system integration advantages of CMOS technology. A key part of our success results from Aptina's commitment to design and manufacture high-quality, affordable image sensor solutions that capture great pictures, supporting leading camera makers. It's exciting to think of what the future holds, when as a result of consumers continually choosing a better picture taking experience, many billions of pictures around the world have already been taken with Aptina sensors."
Shipment of the one billionth CMOS image sensor is indicative of Aptina's ability to meet unit demand within a variety of markets, while maintaining a product portfolio of over 70 CMOS image sensors. “The shipment of our one billionth sensor is a noteworthy achievement and is a testament to the strong relationship we have with Micron and the operational processes the company has implemented to meet sensor demand,” says Jeff Mendiola, Vice President of Operations at Aptina.
Reaching this milestone is also indicative of the growing attraction consumer electronics manufacturers using image sensors have for Aptina's high quality CMOS images sensors which provide higher speed, increased sensitivity, lower-cost, and lower-power consumption. Since it began manufacturing image sensors in 2002, Micron has met the increasing demand for CMOS imaging solutions. This includes the explosive growth in camera-enabled cell phones in 2004 and 2005 which set the path for today with some of the world's most popular and high-end camera phone manufacturers' integration of Aptina's VGA, 1.3, 2, 3 and 5 megapixel sensors into their handset designs.
Of the one billion sensors shipped, approximately 55 percent were megapixel or greater, a clear indicator that Aptina has led the push to higher quality CMOS sensors. The push for quality continues as Aptina provides camera manufacturers' with new multi-megapixel sensors and SOCs like the new 5MP MT9P013 and MT9P111 designed for the mobile market and the 10MP MT9J001 CMOS image sensor solution designed for high-end point-and-shoot cameras.
©2008 Aptina Imaging Corporation. All rights reserved. Information is subject to change without notice.