Sony IMX397 High-Speed CMOS Sensor for Embedded Vision Applications

High-speed CMOS sensor with 240 fps at VGA resolution.

The Sony IMX397CLN-C is a compact and highly efficient CMOS Global Shutter sensor, offering VGA resolution with a pixel pitch of 3.45 µm. Designed for industrial and embedded vision applications, this sensor provides excellent performance in a small form factor, making it ideal for use in space-constrained environments. With a 0.33 MP resolution (656 x 496 pixels) and high-speed capabilities, it delivers a frame rate of up to 240 fps at full resolution, ensuring fast and reliable image capture for dynamic applications such as factory automation and industrial sensing.

One of the key strengths of the IMX397 is its global shutter, which allows it to capture distortion-free images of fast-moving objects. This is particularly important for applications like machine vision, automated quality inspection, and robotics, where precision and accuracy are critical. The global shutter ensures that every frame is clear and undistorted, even in high-speed environments, making the IMX397CLN-C a highly reliable solution for industrial imaging.

The IMX397 sensor is also designed with low power consumption in mind, operating at approximately 105mW, which is advantageous for battery-powered systems and energy-efficient designs. It uses three power supply voltages—analog, digital, and interface—further optimizing power consumption without compromising on performance. This makes it suitable for a wide range of embedded systems where power efficiency is a priority, especially in continuous operation scenarios.

Featuring a MIPI CSI-2 interface, the IMX397CLN-C enables high-speed data transfer and easy integration with general-purpose ISPs (Image Signal Processors). This interface allows developers to seamlessly integrate the sensor into a variety of embedded vision systems, from industrial automation to compact cameras for real-time monitoring. Its high-speed throughput, paired with MIPI output, ensures smooth and efficient data transmission, making it a perfect choice for embedded vision projects where high frame rates are required.

With a small footprint of just 4.63 mm x 3.67 mm and a thin package, the IMX397 sensor is designed to fit into compact devices, offering flexibility for system designers working in constrained spaces. Its compact size and monochrome-only output make it a cost-effective solution for projects that require precise imaging without the need for color data. This monochrome design also enhances the sensor’s sensitivity and performance in specialized industrial applications, where contrast and clarity are essential.

The IMX397 also offers both internal and external trigger options, allowing for precise control over timing and capture in automated processes. This feature is especially useful in factory automation and other industrial systems where synchronization with external events is crucial. The sensor’s 10-bit A/D converter ensures accurate digital conversion of analog signals, maintaining image quality and precision across a wide range of lighting conditions and operational environments.

In summary, the Sony IMX397CLN-C is a powerful, low-cost imaging solution designed for industrial and embedded vision applications. Its combination of a global shutter, high-speed performance at 240 fps, low power consumption, and compact form factor makes it an excellent choice for developers working on factory automation, industrial monitoring, and embedded vision systems. With its efficient MIPI interface and precise control features, the IMX397 sensor offers the flexibility and performance needed to handle a wide range of high-speed, high-precision imaging tasks.