Logarithmic Sensor

New Imaging Technologies (Evry, France) has introduced the MD1-10-B logarithmic sensor, which uses an array of photodiodes operated in photovoltaic mode. In most logarithmic imager designs, linear photo current passes through a MOS transistor whose exponential characteristic transforms photo current into a logarithmic-like voltage output signal. In NIT’s MAGIC approach, the array of photodiodes is operated in photovoltaic mode and the open-circuit voltage across the p/n junction is proportional to the exact and pure logarithmic value of the incident light intensity. When equipped with the sensor, the MCD1-10-BW analog camera modules provide dynamic range performance greater than 120 dB.