Open Competition - Electronics/Computer Hardware/Communications (October 1999)

Low-Cost, Low Light Level Video Camera

Sponsor: Intevac, Inc.

• Project Performance Period: 11/1/1999 - 6/30/2002
• Total project (est.): $10,540,390.00
• Requested ATP funds: $5,270,193.00

Intevac, Inc., and National Semiconductor Corp. (Santa Clara, Calif.) plan to develop new sensors and an automated manufacturing method to enable the production of low-cost, high-performance low light level (LLL) cameras. Today's LLL cameras, derived from military research, cost as much as $10,000 apiece -- too expensive for most applications. Intevac and National Semiconductor believe that the price will be reduced significantly utilizing breakthrough advances in electronics and manufacturing. The advanced sensors also will make possible a new generation of affordable digital still cameras. Unlike present LLL cameras, which work well only in darkness, the new cameras will perform just as well in all types of lighting conditions, including bright daylight. In this project, CMOS chip technology, now used to make most computer chips, will be used to fabricate a chip with the necessary camera and sensor electronics. This chip will be incorporated with the camera's image intensifier to form the new LLL camera. Because CMOS technology is relatively inexpensive, the new cameras woud be inherently less costly, but only if an automated assembly process can be developed. The combination will enable the development of an affordable camera product that will revolutionize industrial and home security systems as well as law enforcement applications. The project's success depends on three critical innovations: making the new chip, incorporating the chip with the camera's image intensifier and creating the automated manufacturing equipment. ATP support will enable the two companies to pursue this challenging and high-risk project.

For project information:

Charles Eddy, (408) 496-2259
ceddy@intevac.com

Active Project Participants

• National Semiconductor Corporation (Santa Clara, CA)
  [Original, Active Member]
  

ATP Project Manager

Purabi Mazumdar, (301) 975-4891
purabi.mazumdar@nist.gov