Sharp-7 is supported by Sheba's revolutionary electrostatic micro-actuators, utilizing an 8-megapixel (MP) automotive-grade image sensor to produce unprecedentedly consistent and high-quality imaging across the automotive temperature range. The proprietary MEMS technology addresses the long-standing thermal expansion challenge faced by the camera industry in a unique way, unlocking the potential of ultra-high-resolution image sensors in ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) cameras. It enables new functions crucial for vehicle safety and autonomous driving, such as ultra-precise object detection and digital zoom.

Sharp-7 is supported by Sheba's patented MEMS actuators, capable of producing unprecedentedly consistent and high-quality imaging within the automotive temperature range. It showcases the potential of using higher resolution image sensors in Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) cameras.

Due to thermal expansion of optical components and camera parts, automotive cameras often face challenges in maintaining image quality and focus stability during temperature fluctuations. As the automotive sensor market continues to evolve towards higher resolution sensors, the problem becomes more pronounced due to the smaller pixel size of the sensors. Smaller pixels require more precise alignment of optical components to ensure that light is accurately focused on each pixel. Any misalignment caused by thermal expansion or contraction can lead to blurring or distortion—a concern for any camera, especially automotive cameras, as the temperature range is wider.

Sheba's proprietary technology compensates for this thermal expansion by moving the lightweight sensor along the optical axis rather than the lens. The image sensor weighs only 2-3% of the optical lens, making it easier to manipulate and enabling ultra-fast and precise autofocus performance even during temperature fluctuations. This novel approach unleashes the powerful advantages that high-resolution sensors can bring to automotive cameras, such as ultra-precise object detection (pedestrians, animals, and road signs) and digital zoom.

"Over the past two decades, we have all seen how high-resolution sensors have greatly improved the cameras on our phones. The key driver for this high-resolution imaging is the adoption of autofocus actuators," said Dr. Faez Ba-Tis, CEO and Co-Founder of Sheba Microsystems. "However, due to the lack of reliable autofocus actuator technology that can operate in automotive environments, coupled with the thermal expansion issue, it has been a barrier for decades, limiting the adoption of high-resolution sensors in automotive cameras. With the Sharp-7 camera, we want to not only demonstrate how Sheba's MEMS technology solves the thermal expansion problem and produces consistent high-quality imaging through existing 8 MP sensors but also showcase how our technology paves the way for the use of higher resolution image sensors, which will ultimately make everyone on the road safer, especially with the advancement of today's autonomous driving technology. Our phones should not have better cameras than our cars."

Sheba's electrostatic actuators are particularly well-suited for addressing thermal expansion issues because they are thermally stable. They maintain consistent performance regardless of temperature fluctuations ranging from -40°C to 150°C. These actuators are also fast, precise, low-power, and compact. Sheba's MEMS technology has undergone reliability testing, including drop, thermal shock, thermal cycling, vibration, mechanical shock, roll, and micro-drop tests. It is also robust, helping to maintain image focus during shocks that occur in automotive environments.

About Sheba Microsystems

Sheba Microsystems is a leading fabless (Fabless) MEMS company dedicated to the development of high-end MEMS actuators for optical solutions, including auto-focus (AF), optical image stabilization (OIS), and super-resolution (SR) imaging for compact and embedded vision cameras. The MEMS actuators developed by Sheba are revolutionizing the digital photography quality and capabilities of common mobile devices, thanks to their high speed, high repeatability, low power consumption, and small size.

图文来源于businesswire

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The original article was posted on the WeChat official account "Smart Car Club."Sheba Microsystems Unveils Sharp-7: The World's First Autofocus Automotive Camera