US army validates SiOnyx XQE sensor performance
SiOnyx Inc, a rapidly growing innovator in advanced imaging technology, has announced independent validation of its image sensor technology.
The U.S. Army's premier agency for night vision technology, tested the SiOnyx XQE-1310 sensor in its labs and confirmed imaging at 1 mLux (1à—10-4 Ft-candles).
"We are very excited about these independent validation test results," says Martin Pralle, VP of Government Programs for SiOnyx. "1 mLux is a critical threshold in the development of digital night vision."
For the past 60 years, night vision technology was based upon the analog image intensifier tube, a fully integrated system including both sensor and display in a single assembly. Digital night vision offers the warfighter the ability to separate these two critical components.
This enables a highly flexible system architecture where the imager can be a clip-on module that can move from helmet to weapon sight to rail camera, while the independent heads-up display provides the imagery to the warfighter.
SiOnyx's XQE sensors enable this capability by digitally capturing nighttime imagery using starlight and the natural ambient night sky illumination known as night glow. Once in the digital domain, streaming and sharing the video at the unit level or with central command is readily achievable.
All sensors in the XQE family share the benefits of ultra-low read noise for extended low-light imaging and 72dB of native dynamic range. Additionally, all XQE sensors have on-chip high dynamic range (HDR) features that allow up to 120dB dynamic range. XQE sensors are fabricated with a standard CMOS process that offers low power, low dark current, and no sensor cooling requirements.
SiOnyx XQE image sensors are being provided on a sample basis in Q2 2013 to customers interested in evaluating the use of XQE image sensors in the next generation of imaging platforms.
SiOnyx is commercialising a patented semiconductor process that dramatically enhances the sensitivity of silicon-based photonics. SiOnyx's platform represents a significant breakthrough in the development of smaller, cheaper, high-performing photonic devices in applications ranging from simple light detection to advanced digital imaging and more.
