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. This new technology has been deployed in JAI's new GO-X family which includes 24 models including 12 with CoaXPress interface and 12 with GigE Vision (1000BASE-T).

How does Pregius S Technology benefit industrial camera users?
• Backside illumination for better sensitivity
• Global Shutters to eliminate motion distortion
• Small pixels provide high resolution in compact sensor formats
• Range of aspect ratios to fit application requirements
• Additional on-sensor circuitry for advanced functionality

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.

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Gradation compression: For scenes containing a few very bright areas, this function lets the camera capture a full 12-bits of shading variations but compresses the output into 8-bit images to increase frame rates and decrease file sizes. Users can define how much compression to apply and where on the 12-bit scale it should begin.

Floating diffusion binning: In addition to 1x2, 2x1, and 2x2 binning performed on the camera's FPGA, JAI's monochrome Pregius S cameras offer 2x2 binning performed directly on the sensor. This "FD2x2 Binning" mode utilizes a readout strategy that combines the readout of four pixels through a single floating diffusion node. This not only lowers the readout noise for higher dynamic range and image quality, it also produces significant increases in frame rate over the FPGA-based binning modes.