TowerJazz, the global specialty foundry leader, and Gpixel, Inc., a fast-growing CMOS image sensor (CIS) provider focusing on professional applications, announced today that Gpixel’s GMAX0505, a new 25Mp global shutter sensor has been developed based on TowerJazz’s 2.5um global shutter pixel in a 1.1″ optical format with the highest resolution in C-mount optics. This type of lens mount is commonly found in closed-circuit television cameras, machine vision and scientific cameras. Gpixel’s new product is optimal for high resolution industrial, machine vision, intelligent transport systems (ITS) and surveillance applications. According to an IC Insights report, the industrial CMOS sensor market is growing at a CAGR of about 18% from $400M in 2015 to $910M in 2020.
TowerJazz’s new offering is the smallest in the world; the otherwise currently available smallest pixel for such high-end applications used in the market is 3.2um (65% larger) and demonstrates overall lower performances. TowerJazz’s 2.5um global shutter pixel is integrated with a unique light pipe technology, offers great angular response, more than 80dB shutter efficiency in spite of the extreme small size, and extremely low noise (one electron). Gpixel has started prototyping its GMAX0505 using TowerJazz’s state of the art, 65nm technology on a 300mm platform in its Uozu, Japan facility.
“TowerJazz has been an important and strategic fab partner of Gpixel for many years. We are very pleased with the support of great technology innovation from TowerJazz with our current global shutter sensor families, backside illuminated scientific CMOS sensor solutions and today, the next generation global shutter industrial sensor product family,” said Dr. Xinyang Wang, CEO of Gpixel, Inc. “The GMAX0505 is our second product after our first 2.8um pixel product that is already ramped up into production at TowerJazz’s Arai fab in Japan. We are very excited and looking forward to seeing more products using this pixel technology in the near future. The successful introduction of the new 25Mp product will bring our customers a unique advantage in the growing demand of machine vision applications.”
Dr. Avi Strum, TowerJazz Senior VP and General Manager of CMOS Image Sensor Business Unit, said, “We are very excited to be the first and only foundry in the world to offer this new technology – the smallest global shutter pixel available. Through our collaboration with Gpixel, we are able to create acompact package design which allows for miniature camera design. We are pleased with our long term relationship with Gpixel and with the way our technology combined with their excellent products allow us to target and gain market share in the growing high resolution industrial markets.”