Imaging systems conference to be held at SEMICON Europa 2014

The first day will address applications (mobile, automotive, industrial, medical) and technologies (sensors, optics, processing and packaging) while the second day will delve into specific implementation techniques. Keynote speakers include Eric Fossum, Dartmouth University and the father of CMOS Image Sensor (CIS), and Pascal Brosset, chief innovation officer of Schneider Electric. The first day will address applications (mobile, automotive, industrial, medical) and technologies (sensors, optics, processing and packaging) while the second day will delve into specific implementation techniques.

Until recently, the imaging market was based primarily on mobile phone based applications. However, new technologies for imaging-based applications are now being introduced — including wearable electronics, automotive, tablets, machine vision, security and surveillance and medical applications.

According to Yole Developpement, the CIS market is expected to grow at a 10% CAGR in revenue in the five-year period from 2013 to 2018, growing from $7.8bn in 2013 to $12.8bn in 2018. While many applications drive the integration of CMOS image sensors, mobile phones accounted for approximately 66% of total shipments in 2013. But other new applications — including tablets and automotive — are set to drive the future growth of this industry. Tablets also significantly contribute to the market growth with a 17% CAGR over the time poeriod.

The next wave of imaging will likely focus on automotive applications because additional image sensors are necessary for many of the safety improvements required by new government regulations. CAGR for CIS automotive applications is expected to increase 36% between 2013 and 2018. Yole states that the market is: “expected to reach about $700m in 2018, and will drive the need for high-performance sensors: global shutter, high dynamic range, and high sensitivity. The requirements of the automotive market are hence completely different from the mobile phone market, which is still in the race for higher resolution and smaller pixels.”

In addition, Yole also sees several other applications with a high CAGR, including wearable devices (103%), machine vision (33%), and camera pills (32%).

Key companies involved in the imaging conference and exposition include: ARM, Asia Optical-EtherO, Audi, European Space Agency, French Institute of Vision, Hamamatsu, Heptagon, Microsoft, Schneider, Sofradir and STM. Many research centres are also involved — CEA-LETI, CSEM, Fondazion Bruno Kezler, Fraunhofer Institut, Grenoble University Hospital, and more. Start-up and SMEs involved in the conference include: Aldebaran, Awaiba, CMOSIS, Caeleste, Mesa, Blue Eye Video, ISD, Kaleido, Multix, NikkoIA , NIT, Pyxalis, Yole, and Wavelens.