High-speed colour CCD linear image sensor for AOI equipment

Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH has introduced the TCD2400DG, a new lens reduction type CCD linear image sensor designed to satisfy the demanding requirements of modern optical inspection equipment. The new sensor features 4096 elements with a 7µm pitch and is intended for use in line scan cameras, which are vital for high-speed, high-precision inspection tasks such as colour sorting in food processing and quality control in industrial manufacturing.

The sensor supports a maximum data rate of 100MHz (50MHz master clock frequency x 2 channels). With a maximum line rate of 22.7kHz, it achieves more than twice the readout speed of the company's previous model, the TCD2564DG. This significant performance boost allows inspection systems to process massive volumes of image data rapidly, supporting the precise and accurate identification of fast-moving objects.

The device features 4096 independent elements for each of the three RGB colour channels, arranged in three independent lines, allowing direct acquisition of high-resolution colour images without the need for the colour interpolation required by Bayer element arrays. This architecture enables immediate processing, making it excellent for applications where rapid and reliable judgment is critical.

A key innovation of the TDC2400DG is the built-in timing generator and CCD driver circuit, components that were previously mounted externally. This decreases the number of signal lines needed to drive the sensor and eradicates the necessity for an external CCD driver, simplifying wiring and system design. The streamlined configuration not only reduces the BOM and accelerates development but also helps mitigate EMI, a common challenge in high-speed systems.