Machine vision technology is becoming a central driving force in modern industry. As one of the pioneers in the field of innovation, SmartSens has a significant technological influence and market position around the world. Through its technology-leading global shutter SmartGS technologyDronesQRC readerSmart mobile home devices are widely used。According to the latest data from TSR, in 2022, SmartSens has a market share in both UAVs and QRC readersGlobalFirst place。Among them, SmartSens accounts for about the global consumer UAV obstacle avoidance market share, which is expected to start in 2023The annual growth rate continues to grow. Relying on the successful application and technical advantages in the field of machine vision and intelligent electrical appliances, this article introduces SmartSensIndustrial cameras and robotsProduct layout and prospects in the field.
As an enterprise oriented by the application development trend of product technology, SmartSens summarizes the actual needs of industrial application scenarios for intelligent image processing, and develops the following three categories of product series:Area arrayIntelligent transportation systems(its)、Line array, covering mainstream industrial intelligent scenarios in an all-round way.
smartgs®Unlike the rolling shutter method adopted in other fields, the errors that may be generated by the deformation artifacts caused by high-speed moving objects will be infinitely magnified in the machine vision sceneHigh frame rateNo distortionThe global shutter has become the first choice for industrial area array applications and intelligent transportation systems.
Area array application panorama analysis
When it comes to global shutter technology, SmartSens has a first-mover advantage. Since 2017, SmartSens has begun to lay out the application field of machine vision and started research and developmentsmartgs®Technology. Based on this technology, SmartSens quickly rolled out globallyThe first oneAdoptionBSI pixel architecture and global shutter technologyimage sensor products, and successfully applied to the field of industrial area array image sensors. At present, this technology has been iterated to the second generationsmartgs®-2Compared with the first generation of technology, the night vision effect, sensitivity and high temperature performance are greatly improved. On the basis of the second generation, SmartSens will launch it again in 2022smartgs®-2 plustechnology, further enhanced performance with High Density MIM (HD MIM) technology. SmartGS-2 Plus technology delivers significant noise performance improvements compared to its predecessor. Relying on the advantages of SmartGS-2 Plus technology, the area array series products have achieved breakthrough noise performance improvements, which are significantly improved compared with the previous generation of technology productsAnd close to the rolling shutter(rs)Noise performance of the product
With the support of SmartGS-2 Plus technology, SmartSens began to lay out a series of industrial area array image sensor products in 2021, and continued to launch industry-leading high-performance products, such as the latest SmartGS-2 Plus technology product SC535HGS, which has the following productsLow noise5MP high resolutionHigh quantum efficiency(qe)、High full well electrons(FWC) four features that can greatly improve the ability of high-end machine vision applications to inspect high-speed moving partsAchieve high-quality image capture in low-light environmentsto improve production efficiency.
SmartSens area array series products enable the followingIntelligent upgrade of four major scenariosEnsure distortion-free imaging and high-speed image acquisition performance, bringing more accurate and efficient visual inspection, quality control and production optimization capabilities to high-end industrial machine vision applications, significantly improving the efficiency and quality of industrial production.
1.New energy material testing
Its high-precision image acquisition capabilities enable it to perform on lithium batteries and photovoltaic panelsComprehensive and efficient defect detection。For lithium batteries, for example, the product captures small imperfections on the surface of the film or electrodes, such as bubbles, stains, or foreign objects, ensuring consistency and high quality in the battery manufacturing process.
Application scenario 1 of SmartGS area array series products: Enabling the detection of new energy materials such as photovoltaic panels.
2.Electronic product quality testing
As the basic component of electronic products, the quality and performance of PCB board directly affect the reliability and stability of the entire electronic product. However, during the manufacturing process, PCBs can have a variety of potential defects, such as soldering issues, abnormal wiring connections, or missing components. SmartGSS area array series products rely on their high-precision image acquisition capabilitiesPrecise capture of subtle defects and anomalies on the surface of the PCB board。By monitoring and detecting these issues in real time, sensors can help identify and locate potential quality issues early, effectively improving the inspection capacity and efficiency of the production line, and ultimately ensuring that the product quality and performance in the PCB manufacturing process meet the expected standards.
SmartGS area array series products application scenario 2: empowering electronic product quality inspection.
3.Semiconductor wafer surface inspection
Tiny defects or stains on the surface of a wafer can have a significant impact on the performance of semiconductor devices, resulting in quality issues in the manufactured chip. However, these defects are often difficult to detect with the naked eye or traditional methods. SmartSens area array series image sensors are characterized by their high resolution and high sensitivityEnables precise capture of small defects on the wafer surface, such as bubbles, scratches, or foreign objects. Through fast and accurate surface scanning and inspection, sensors can identify and locate these defects at an early stage, helping to identify potential quality issues before they occur, thereby improving the quality control capabilities and productivity of semiconductor production lines.
SmartGS Area Array Series Product Application Scenario 3: Enabling Semiconductor Wafer Surface Inspection.
4.Industrial Robotic Arm People
Industrial robots when performing tasks,Accurate perception of the surrounding environment and real-time feedback are required to ensure precise operation and safety。In this scenario, traditional vision technology may not respond fast enough and capture images accurately enough to meet the high requirements of industrial automation. SmartSens area array series products are known for their global shutter technology and high resolutionIt can capture high-definition images in real time and process them quickly, providing them with industrial robotsMore accurate visual support。This high-precision visual feedback effectively improves the operation accuracy and safety of industrial robots, and greatly improves the efficiency and reliability of industrial automated manufacturing.
SmartGS Area Array Series Products Scenario 4: Empowering Industrial Robot Arms.
Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) panorama analysis
ITS faces similar challenges as industrial area array applicationsVehicles and pedestrians need to be accurately identified in a wide range of environmental conditions, and factors such as light changes, vehicle speed, rain and fog will affect the clarity and accuracy of the image. Global shutter technology is seen as an effective means of solving these problems.
SmartSens' ITS series products are equipped with the second-generation SmartGS technologyParallelThe voltage domain reading structure greatly improves the maximum shutter speedPerfect for clear capture of high-speed moving objectsThe two products are especially suitable for the rapid acquisition and recognition of license plates and faces under the ITS systemAt the same time, the BSI process design of large pixel is adopted, so that the light sensitivity in low light is increased by 30%, the noise is reduced by 40%, and the dark current is reduced by 976%。
Empower the transformation and upgrading of the transportation visual industry
1.Highway bayonet system
While traditional cameras may blur or distort images due to motion when high-speed vehicles pass by, SmartSens area array sensors are able to capture data from the entire image in the same time periodAvoid blurring images caused by motion。In addition, the area array CMOS image sensor has high-speed image acquisition capabilities, which can realize fast high-definition image acquisition and processing, thereby improving the accuracy and speed of vehicle recognition. This technical advantage helps solve the problem of image recognition of highway bayonets during fast vehicle trafficThe accuracy and efficiency of bayonet data acquisition have been improved
Application scenario of ITS series products: enabling highway bayonet system.
laLine Scan Image Sensor Series:All-round machine vision support helps the industry to fine inspection
Panoramic analysis of industrial line array applications
The transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry has brought about a huge demand for high-end industrial cameras, and SmartSens, with its deep technical support, has made rapid efforts since the first launch of the linear image sensor SC430LA in 2022 to achieve a new breakthrough in machine vision applications in high-end industrial-grade applications. At present, SmartSens LA line array series has grown into an important engine for SmartSens' sustainable developmentCovering 4K, 8K, 16K high resolution。This range of products is based on SmartSens' unique productssmartclarity®-3Technology builds, combined with a new upgradebsiPixel craftwithMask splicing technology, using SmartSens' superior analog circuit design, has:High resolutionHigh QELow energy consumptionHigh line frequencyFour features that greatly improve the detection capabilities of high-end industrial linear camera applications and achieve high-quality image capture around the clockEnsure the efficiency and reliability of the inspection
It is highly compatible with the following three industrial scenarios:
1.New energy photovoltaic panel testing
One of the main difficulties in the detection of new energy photovoltaic panels is:Defects in solar PV panels need to be accurately detected, e.g. surface defects or anomalies in the production process. These panels often have a large area and require high-resolution and high-speed imaging techniques to accurately detect defects. In addition, the surface smoothness and consistency of the PV panels need to be ensured during the inspection process to ensure their efficiency and performance in real-world applications. LA line array series products passedProvides ultra-high-resolution imaging capabilities for high-speed, high-definition scanning of solar PV panels to capture subtle imperfections and anomalies。Its linear imaging structure enables continuous and coherent capture of image data during panel scanning, ensuring comprehensive inspection of PV panels.
Application scenario 1 of LA linear array series products: enabling new energy photovoltaic panel detection.
2.Lithium battery film inspection for electric vehicles and energy storage
There are some challenges in the inspection of lithium battery films for electric vehicles and energy storage. These films need to be inspected with high precision to ensure that their surface is smooth and flawless。Because thin films often have very fine features and large areas, it is difficult for conventional imaging techniques to accurately capture subtle defects such as bubbles, stains, or foreign objects. LA line array productsWith its superior sensitivity and low noise performanceto capture images continuously and seamlessly, providing comprehensive inspection coverage to help ensure product quality and increase productivity.
Application scenario 2 of LA linear array series products: enabling electric vehicles and energy storage lithium battery film detection.
3.Quality inspection of intelligent manufacturing assembly line
There are some challenges in the quality inspection of intelligent manufacturing pipelines. These lines require high-efficiency, high-precision quality monitoring to ensure product consistency and high quality. However, traditional imaging techniques often fail to meet the needs of the assembly line at high speeds, and cannot accurately capture the subtle defects and defects on the assembly line. SmartSens LA line array series productsHigh frequencies are achievableimagesAcquisitionand accurately detect surface defects such as blemishes, foreign objects or damage. Its high-performance imaging capabilities help to achieve real-time monitoring and quality control of the assembly lineIncrease yieldprecision and efficiency of manufacturing
Application scenario 3 of LA line array series products: enabling intelligent manufacturing assembly line quality inspection.
With the rapid development of science and technology, machine vision technology is becoming the core driving force of modern industry, leading innovation and progress in the field of production and manufacturing. As a leader in the field of machine vision, SmartSens continues to explore and introduce new technologies and products to improve the layout of high-end industries. At present, SmartSens has passed theThere are three scenarios: area array, ITS, and line arrayhas accumulated a rich product matrix to provide customers in different fields with diversified, accurate, stable and reliable solutions. In the future, we will continueFocus on high-end core technology breakthroughsAccelerate the launch of more high-performance machine vision application products, inject strong innovation momentum into the continuous enrichment of SmartSens' high-end product matrix, and help accelerate the domestic substitution of high-end CIS.