What s illuminator? INTER ACTION CORPORATION
In digital cameras, camcorders and cameraequipped mobile phones CCD and C-MOS semiconductor imagers function as a retina. CCD and C-MOS imagers convert images seen through a camera lens into electrical signals. At Semiconductor factories, illuminators generate light used to test CCD and C-MOS imagers. Digital camera CCD
The Structure of a CCD/C-MOS Imager The surface of a CCD/C- MOS imager is covered with a grid of tiny picture elements (pixels) that convert light into electrical signals. A three million pixel imager, for example, would have three million of these elements on its surface.
Chemical vs. Digital Cameras Conventional single-reflex camera Digital single-reflex camera Digital compact camera Aperture Aperture Lens Shutter Lens Shutter Exposed film must be developed Stores digitally encoded information Chemical film Optical semi-conductor devices (CCD)
Capturing modules and Camera CCD/C-MOS imagers Digital camera CCD CCD/C-MOS imager cameras
The Problem With CCD/C-MOS Imagers Any imperfection in a CCD/C-MOS imager picture element (shown in red above) appears as a blank space in a picture.
Standard Semiconductor Testing Inspection of finished silicon wafers Testers and probers Tester Prober Pre-shipment inspections Testers and handlers Tester Handler
Semiconductor Imager Testing Inspections of finished silicon wafers Testers, probers and illuminators Illuminator Pre-shipment inspections Testers, handlers and illuminators Tester Prober Illuminator Tester Handler
Major Users Domestic semiconductor manufactures Sony, Matsushita, Toshiba, Sharp, Fuji Film, Canon, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi Electric, Seiko-Epson, Sanyo, others Overseas semiconductor manufacturers Intel, Atmel, Philips, Conexant, NS, Samsung, HyNEX, testing firms in Taiwan, others
Applications of Semiconductor Imagers PDA Notebook PC Mobile phone Wristwatch camera CCD/C-MOS camera modules Digital still camera Automotive camera CCD/C-MOS image sensors Digital video camera Surveillance camera Facsimile scanner Copier Fingerprint/iris ID
Camera-Equipped Mobile Phones Camera-Equipped Mobile Phones Close-up of camera CCD/C-MOS imager camera modules
Automotive Cameras Rear-view monitors Visibility with CCD camera Blind corner monitors Visibility from driver s seat Visibility with CCD camera Driving support systems CCD camera monitors lane indicators, sounds warning to alert driver as needed
Future Applications for Automotive Cameras As a replacement for mirrors Rear-view images can be shown on a display. As an adjustment device for air bags Adjusts strength of passenger seat air bag according to size of occupant As a device to prevent drivers from falling asleep
Growth in Shipments of Digital Cameras Digital camera shipments Unit: thousand units Total units shipped Monthly avg. Change Pct. 1999 Jan.-Dec. 5,088 424 2000 Jan.-Dec. 10,342 862 438 203% 2001 Jan.-Dec. 14,753 1,229 368 143% 2002 Jan.-Nov. 21,972 1,997 768 162% Source: Camera & Imaging Products Association 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0 1999 2000 2001 2002 Shipments from January to July 2002 1,800 1,600 1,400 1,200 1,000 800 600 400 200 0 1999 2000 2001 2002
Digital Camera Shipments by Region Unit: thousand units Japan Europe N. America Otherexports Monthly Growth Share Monthly Growth Share Monthly Growth Share Monthly Growth sales rate sales rate sales rate sales rate Share 1999 Jan.-Dec. 125 29% 96 23% 178 42% 25 6% 2000 Jan.-Dec. 246 197% 29% 192 201% 22% 363 203% 42% 61 243% 7% 2001 Jan.-Dec. 403 164% 33% 286 148% 23% 441 122% 36% 100 164% 8% 2002 Jan.-Nov. 515 128% 26% 558 195% 28% 691 156% 35% 233 234% 12% Source: Camera & Imaging Products Association 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 Other exports North America Europe Japan 0 1999 2000 2001 2002
Recently Introduced Illuminator Products IA-OPTPATH Series 4-site parallel measurement Adjustable mechanism for F-number Illuminated area of 30mm x 30mm Light uniformity of +/-2% within one area and +/-1% between areas
Profile of the OPTPATH Series Optical Box Optical Head The CCD/CMOS imagers for testing are arranged in a square. Light produced by a halogen lamp in the optical box is adjusted to achieve uniformity, and then passed to the optical head via optical fibers. Light is divided within the optical head to produce four columns of light to illuminate the four devices at once. CCD/C-MOS imagers
Illuminators and Handlers The illuminator is located inside the handler. The handler aligns the semiconductors to be tested in a square. The tester sends instructions to perform the inspection, automatically separating units that pass and fail afterward. Connection to tester
Illuminator Control Screen Includes an accurate diagram of the illuminator Designed for maximum ease of use Generating strong support from users
Illuminates Four Semiconductor Devices at Once IA-OPT026W Large illuminated area accommodates four devices at once Simply change the design of the probe card to alter the alignment of the four devices as required January 28, 2003