Advanced Pixel Design
Luxima’s advanced pixel design is centered on addressing the core challenges of high-speed imaging: achieving high frame rates without sacrificing image quality, which is often degraded by motion blur and noise. Their innovations focus on pixel-level architecture to optimize speed, sensitivity, and signal integrity.
Global Shutter Technology
A key feature of Luxima’s sensors is their global shutter pixel design. Unlike a rolling shutter, which scans an image line-by-line, a global shutter exposes the entire sensor simultaneously. This is crucial for high-speed imaging as it completely eliminates the motion artifacts and distortion that occur when a fast-moving object is captured. Many of their products, such as the LUX2100 and LUX13HS, are explicitly designed with this feature.
Low-Noise Pixel Architecture
High-speed imaging requires extremely short exposure times, which significantly reduces the amount of light captured by each pixel. This makes the image more susceptible to electronic noise. To combat this, Luxima employs Correlated Double Sampling (CDS) within the pixel itself. By sampling the noise level before and after charge accumulation, the sensor can effectively subtract the noise, resulting in a cleaner image. Some of their sensors also utilize a patented Floating Storage Gate technology to further reduce noise, achieving very low read noise specifications.
High Sensitivity and Dynamic Range
Luxima’s pixels are designed for high light sensitivity, which is critical for low-light performance under the short exposure times of high-speed capture. This is achieved through a combination of large pixel sizes and optimized microlens arrays. Many of their sensors also support High Dynamic Range (HDR) modes, such as dual- and triple-slope responses, allowing them to capture a wider range of light intensities in a single frame. This is useful for scenes with both very bright and very dark areas, common in industrial and scientific applications.
Efficient Data Readout
The massive amount of data generated by high-speed sensors is a major design challenge. Luxima’s pixel design is integrated with an efficient readout architecture. Their sensors feature on-chip Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) and multiple parallel data output channels (LVDS). This design minimizes system noise and enables the incredibly high data throughput required for a high frame rate. For example, some sensors support over 100 LVDS channels, allowing for massive parallel data transfer.