CCD or CMOS?

 

 

Digital image sensors are well established in private and professional applications. But which sensor type works best, CCD or CMOS? This question enlightens passionate discussions. A more detailed analysis reveals that these sensors share many common characteristics. Both CMOS and CCD can be beneficial, depending on the application.

 

 

The widespread use of imaging systems in private and professional, scientific and industrial applications, generate a high demand for digital image sensors. In scientific applications, these camera systems are used, in addition to pure documentation purposes, to measure parameters or visualize events that otherwise would be difficult to see or could not be seen. In industrial applications, these cameras are used for quality control, observation and security. These days, nearly all mobile phones include an integrated digital camera, and there are few people who do not own a digital video camera or a still camera. The basis for image recording, e.g., acertain distribution of light, is given by digital image sensors. They can be distinguished by their structure and manufacturing process. The CCD (charge coupled devices) describes  the nearly lossless transport of charges and CMOS (complementary metal oxide on semiconductor) describes the manufacturing process of these two types of image sensors.

 

 

CCD image sensory has existed for more than twenty years, whereas CMOS sensors are much younger. The production processes of CMOS sensors have been improved over the past few years to approach the image quality of CCD image sensors. I will not discuss which of the sensors is better, because that is the wrong question. This article will illustrate the latest technology and attempt to look into the future with a focus on recent trends and application areas for the various image sensors.

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