Pushing the Limits of Large-Format Imaging

Sony’s large-format sensor portfolio

Sony has developed a broad lineup of large-format CMOS sensors that serve industrial, scientific, and observational applications. The rolling shutter family includes the IMX455 (61 MP), IMX461 (102 MP), and IMX411 (151 MP), while the IMX811 (245 MP) represents Sony’s highest-resolution industrial rolling shutter sensor to date. The IMX811 can deliver twice the frame rate using the SLVS-EC interface with up to 16-lanes, offers over 50% higher resolution, and maintains the same package size as the IMX411 by using smaller pixels. In the global shutter category, the IMX661 (128 MP) offers high-speed readout and flexible SLVS-EC lane configurations, and Sony is expanding the global shutter lineup with the IMX927 series and its flagship sensor IMX927 with 105 MP and up to 100 frames per second, to meet growing customer demand. These advancements demonstrate Sony’s commitment to high-resolution imaging with reliable performance and scalable production.

Technical challenges in high-resolution large-format sensors

High-resolution large-format sensors introduce significant system-level challenges. Increased pixel counts raise power consumption, thermal load, and mechanical sensitivity, with even small misalignments causing noticeable pixel shifts. Large sensor size also requires expanded test and validation setups and high-bandwidth interface management. Sony addresses these challenges with advanced ADC circuits that combine high speed and low power consumption, and a chip-on-wafer BSI process that ensures stable imaging performance and consistent production yield. Despite the higher resolution of the IMX811, Sony noted that demand remains strong for the IMX411, which continues to be favored for applications where cost, lens availability, and performance are balanced.

Applications of large-format sensors

Sony’s large-format sensors are employed in a variety of applications where high resolution and image quality are essential. Rolling shutter sensors are commonly used in display inspection for both large and small displays, digital microscopy, aerial imaging and mapping, and logistics sorting on slow-moving lines. Global shutter devices like the IMX661 are increasingly used for fast-moving sorting lines, glass surface inspection, and infrastructure inspection using drones.

FRAMOS support for system integration

FRAMOS helps customers integrate large-format sensors efficiently and reliably. Their pre-engineered camera modules, including the production-ready FSM-IMX811 camera module, feature optimized form factors, direct-to-sensor adhesive bonding for thermal management, and simplified power delivery to reduce complexity. The FSM-IMX811 camera module comes in a developer kit version with the FRAMOS SLVS-EC IP core to accelerate testing and prototyping. FRAMOS also provides guidance on electrical, mechanical, and firmware considerations, ensuring customers can minimize integration risk, maintain high image quality, and reduce time-to-market for industrial, scientific, and aerial imaging projects.

Conclusion

Large-format imaging offers exceptional resolution, image quality, and frame coverage, but integrating these sensors requires careful consideration of power, thermal, mechanical, and interface challenges. Sony’s advanced sensor technologies, combined with FRAMOS’ system-level support, enable customers to overcome these obstacles while accelerating development and production.
With ongoing innovation in both rolling and global shutter devices, large-format imaging continues to expand the possibilities for industrial, scientific, and aerial applications.