The Sony Pregius S 4th generation of Backside Illuminated CMOS sensors is a pixel design capable of powering a new generation of machine vision cameras for use in a wide range of vision systems.

Backside Illumination (BSI) is a sensor design that allows light to be captured via the back of the photodiodes – hence the term "Backside Illumination." This process of capturing light contrasts with traditional "frontside illuminated" sensor designs where wiring and circuitry are located on the layer above the photodiode and so partially blocking light.

The "S" in Pregius S stands for "stacked" and in the Pregius S design the wiring and circuitry layers are stacked below the photodiodes.

A recent increase in sensors designed using BSI technology provides evidence that when photodiodes are closer to the microlenses a wider angle of incidence for capturing incoming light is created. Consequently, with the wider sensing angle and no wiring circuitry getting in the way, BSI pixels are more sensitive than traditional frontside illuminated pixels.

Sony's BSI technology has previously only been available in sensors with rolling shutters. The Pregius S series combines BSI technology with global shutters to allow users to capture crisp, undistorted images in any application. Until now BSI sensors were only available with rolling shutter (Sony STARVIS).

1:1

 

4:3

16.9