Industrial machine vision has always been a powerful assistant in the fields of production and manufacturing, like the "bright eyes" of production lines, providing unparalleled accuracy and efficiency for tasks such as quality control, automated production, product identification and monitoring. However, with the rapid development of technology and the continuous expansion of application fields, the demand for image sensors has become increasingly urgent. According to Yole's latest forecast, the industrial CIS market will maintain rapid growth in the next four years, and the market size will reach 1.302 billion US dollars by 2027.

Machine vision technology is becoming a core driving force in modern industry. As one of the pioneers in the field of innovation, STW has significant technological influence and market position worldwide. Through its leading global shutter SmartGS technology, it has a wide range of applications in drones, QRC readers, smart mobile home devices, and more. According to the latest data from TSR, for the whole year of 2022, Sitewe ranked first in the global market share in both drones and QRC readers. Among them, Sitewe accounts for about 90% of the global market share of consumer drone obstacle avoidance, and is expected to continue to grow at an annual growth rate of 10% in 2023. Based on the successful application and technological advantages in these fields of machine vision and intelligent appliances, this article introduces the product layout and prospects of Sitewe in the industrial camera and robot fields.

As an enterprise with application development trends as its product technology orientation, Sitewe has summarized the actual needs of intelligent image processing in various industrial application fields/scenarios, and has developed the following three categories of product series: area array, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), and line array, covering mainstream industrial intelligent scenarios in all aspects.

SmartGS technology leads industrial visual innovation

Unlike the rolling shutter exposure method used in other fields, the deformation artifacts caused by high-speed moving objects may cause errors that are infinitely magnified in machine vision scenes. A high frame rate, distortion free global shutter has become the preferred choice for industrial array applications and intelligent transportation systems.

Panoramic Analysis of Area Array Applications

In terms of global shutter technology, STW has a first mover advantage. Since 2017, STW has been expanding into the field of machine vision applications and has been developing SmartGS technology. Based on this technology, STW quickly launched the world's first image sensor product using BSI pixel architecture and global shutter technology, and successfully applied it in the field of industrial array image sensors. At present, this technology has been iterated to the second generation SmartGS-2, which greatly improves night vision, sensitivity, and high-temperature performance compared to the first generation technology. On the basis of the second generation, STW also launched SmartGS-2 Plus technology in 2022, further improving performance through High Density MIM (HD MIM) technology. Compared to its predecessor, SmartGS-2 Plus technology can bring significant improvements in noise performance. Relying on the advantages of SmartGS-2 Plus technology, the array series products have achieved breakthrough noise performance improvements. Compared with previous generation technology products, the improvement is significant and close to the noise performance of roller shutter (RS) products.

With the support of SmartGS-2 Plus technology, STW began to lay out a series of industrial array image sensor products in 2021 and continuously launched industry-leading high-performance products, such as the latest SmartGS-2 Plus technology product SC535HGS, which has four major characteristics: low noise, 5MP high resolution, high quantum efficiency (QE), and high full well electron (FWC), which can greatly improve the detection ability of high-end machine vision applications for high-speed moving parts, Realize high-quality image capture in low light environments and improve production efficiency.

The Sitewe array series products can empower intelligent upgrades in the following four scenarios, ensuring distortion free imaging and high-speed image acquisition performance, bringing more accurate and efficient visual inspection, quality control, and production optimization capabilities to high-end industrial machine vision applications, significantly improving the efficiency and quality of industrial production.

1. New energy material testing

Its high-precision image acquisition function enables comprehensive and efficient defect detection of lithium batteries and photovoltaic panels. For example, for lithium batteries, products can capture small defects on the surface of thin films or electrodes, such as bubbles, stains, or foreign objects, ensuring consistency and high quality in the battery manufacturing process.

Application Scenario 1 of SmartGS Array Series Products: Empowering the Testing of New Energy Materials such as Photovoltaic Panels

2. Quality inspection of electronic products

As the fundamental component of electronic products, the quality and performance of PCB boards directly affect the reliability and stability of the entire electronic product. However, during the manufacturing process, PCB boards may have various potential defects, such as welding problems, abnormal circuit connections, or missing components. With its high-precision image acquisition function, the SmartGS array series products of Sitewe can accurately capture subtle defects and abnormal situations on the surface of PCB boards. By monitoring and detecting these issues in real-time, sensors can help detect and locate potential quality issues early, effectively improving the detection capability and efficiency of the production line, and ultimately ensuring that the product quality and performance in the PCB manufacturing process meet the expected standards.

SmartGS Array Series Product Application Scenario 2: Empowering Electronic Product Quality Testing

3. Surface inspection of semiconductor wafers

Minor defects or stains on the surface of a wafer may have a significant impact on the performance of semiconductor devices, leading to quality issues in the manufactured chips. However, these defects are often difficult to detect with the naked eye or traditional methods. The Sitewe array series image sensors, with their high resolution and sensitivity, can accurately capture small defects on the wafer surface, such as bubbles, scratches, or foreign objects. Through rapid and accurate surface scanning and detection, sensors can identify and locate these defects early, helping to detect potential quality issues in advance, thereby improving the quality control capability and production efficiency of semiconductor production lines.

Application scenario three of SmartGS array series products: empowering semiconductor wafer surface inspection

4. Industrial machine arm/person

Industrial robots need to accurately perceive the surrounding environment and provide real-time feedback to ensure precise operation and safety during task execution. Traditional visual technology may have issues such as insufficient response speed and inaccurate image capture in this scenario, which cannot meet the high requirements of industrial automation. The Sitewe array series products, with their advantages of global shutter technology and high resolution, can capture high-definition images in real-time and process them quickly, providing more accurate visual support for industrial robots. This high-precision visual feedback effectively improves the operational accuracy and safety of industrial robots, greatly enhancing the efficiency and reliability of industrial automation manufacturing.

SmartGS Array Series Product Scenario 4: Empowering Industrial Machine Arms/Humans

Panoramic Analysis of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

ITS also faces similar challenges as industrial array applications, requiring precise recognition of vehicles and pedestrians under various environmental conditions, while factors such as light changes, vehicle speed, rain and fog can affect the clarity and accuracy of images. Global shutter technology is considered an effective means to solve these problems.

Sitewe's ITS series products are equipped with second-generation SmartGS technology and adopt a parallel voltage domain reading structure, greatly improving the maximum shutter speed and improving the clear capture of high-speed moving objects. Both products are particularly suitable for rapid acquisition and recognition of license plates and faces under the ITS system; At the same time, adopting the BSI process design of the large Pixel, the sensitivity under low light is improved by 30% compared to the previous generation technology products, the noise is reduced by 40%, and the dark current is reduced by 97.6%.

Empowering the transformation and upgrading of the transportation visual industry:

1. Expressway checkpoint system

Traditional cameras may cause image blurring or distortion due to motion when high-speed vehicles pass by, while the STW array series sensors can capture data of the entire image at the same time, avoiding image blurring caused by motion. In addition, the array CMOS image sensor has high-speed image acquisition capability, which can achieve fast high-definition image acquisition and processing, thereby improving the accuracy and speed of vehicle recognition. This technological advantage helps solve the problem of image recognition at highway checkpoints during rapid vehicle traffic, improving the accuracy and efficiency of checkpoint data collection.

ITS series product application scenarios: empowering highway checkpoint systems

LA Linear Array Image Sensor Series: Comprehensive Machine Vision Support to Assist Industry Fine Detection

Panoramic Analysis of Industrial Line Array Applications

The transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry has brought about a huge demand for high-end industrial cameras. With strong technical support, Sitewe has quickly made efforts since the first launch of the linear array image sensor SC430LA in 2022, achieving a new breakthrough in machine vision applications in high-end industrial applications. At present, the Sitewe LA linear array series has grown into an important engine for Sitewe's continuous development, covering 4K, 8K, and 16K high-resolution. This series of products is based on the unique SmartClarity-3 technology of STW, combined with the newly upgraded BSI pixel process and mask splicing technology. Utilizing STW's excellent analog circuit design, it has four major characteristics: high resolution, high QE, low energy consumption, and high line frequency. It can greatly improve the detection ability of high-end industrial linear camera applications, achieve high-quality image capture 24/7, and ensure the efficiency and reliability of detection.

Highly compatible with the following three industrial scenarios:

1. Testing of new energy photovoltaic panels

One of the main difficulties in the detection of new energy photovoltaic panels is the need to accurately detect defects in solar photovoltaic panels, such as surface defects or anomalies during the production process. These panels typically have a large area and require high-resolution and high-speed imaging techniques to achieve precise defect detection. In addition, during the testing process, it is necessary to ensure the surface smoothness and consistency of the photovoltaic panel to ensure its efficiency and performance in practical applications. The LA linear array series products provide ultra-high resolution imaging capabilities, enabling high-speed and high-definition scanning of solar photovoltaic panels, capturing subtle defects and anomalies. Its linear imaging structure enables continuous and coherent capture of image data during panel scanning, ensuring comprehensive detection of photovoltaic panels.

Application Scenario 1 of LA Linear Array Series Products: Empowering New Energy Photovoltaic Panel Testing

2. Thin film inspection of electric vehicles and energy storage lithium batteries

There are some challenges in the detection of thin films for electric vehicles and energy storage lithium batteries. These films require high-precision testing to ensure their surface smoothness and flawlessness. Due to the extremely fine features and large area of thin films, traditional imaging techniques are difficult to accurately capture their subtle defects, such as bubbles, stains, or foreign objects. LA linear array products, with their superior sensitivity and low noise performance, can continuously and seamlessly capture images, provide comprehensive detection coverage area, help ensure product quality, and improve production efficiency.

Application Scenario 2 of LA Linear Array Series Products: Empowering Electric Vehicles and Energy Storage Lithium Battery Thin Film Testing

3. Quality inspection of intelligent manufacturing assembly line

There are some challenges in quality inspection of intelligent manufacturing assembly lines. These assembly lines require efficient and high-precision quality monitoring to ensure product consistency and high quality. However, traditional imaging techniques often cannot meet the requirements of high-speed pipeline operation, and cannot accurately capture subtle flaws and defects on the pipeline. The Sitewe LA linear array series products can achieve high-frequency image acquisition and accurately detect surface defects of products, such as defects, foreign objects, or damage. Its high-performance imaging function helps to achieve real-time monitoring and quality control of the assembly line, improving the accuracy and efficiency of product manufacturing.

Application scenario three of LA linear array series products: empowering intelligent manufacturing assembly line quality inspection

With the rapid development of technology, machine vision technology is becoming the core driving force of modern industry, leading innovation and progress in the production and manufacturing fields. As a leader in the field of machine vision, STW continuously explores and introduces new technologies and products to improve its high-end industrial layout. At present, Sitewe has accumulated a rich product matrix through exploration of three major scenarios: face-to-face array, ITS, and linear array, providing diversified, accurate, stable, and reliable solutions for customers in different fields. In the future, we will continue to focus on breakthroughs in high-end core technologies, accelerate the launch of more high-performance machine vision application products, inject strong innovation momentum into the continuous enrichment of Sitewe's high-end product matrix, and help accelerate the domestic substitution of high-end CIS.