Enabling technologies for a family of digital cameras

This paper describes the technology used in a new generation of digital cameras. The cameras all use full-frame image sensors optimized for producing still images in electronic cameras. The color CCDs incorporate the Bayer color filter array pattern, lateral overflow drain antiblooming protection, accumulation mode timing, and progressive scan readout. The three cameras described have CCDs with 6.3 million, 1.6 million, and 400 thousand pixels, with 9 micron square pixels and a 3:2 image aspect ratio. They use a firmware-based digital camera architecture to maximize flexibility and image quality. Extensive digital image processing is performed in the host computer, as the images are downloaded from the camera. This enables the cameras to use sophisticated image processing algorithms that can be easily upgraded in the field and customized for special customer applications.