July 17, 2014 (Grenoble, France). To address the rising demands of imaging systems in mobile, medical, automotive, and other technology applications, the “Imaging Without Limits” Conference (October 7-8) will debut at SEMICON Europa 2014 this year to address this surging market. 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 (for example, smart watches), automotive, tablets, machine-vision, security and surveillance, and medical applications. SEMICON Europa 2014, the region’s largest event for the microelectronics manufacturing and innovation supply chain, will be held October 7-9, 2014, in Grenoble.
Covering a broad range of imaging systems, the two-day “Imaging Without Limits” conference at SEMICON Europa 2014 will explore the promise of imaging-related systems, existing applications, and new applications and technologies now on the horizon. Keynote speakers include Eric Fossum of Dartmouth University and the father of CIS, and Pascal Brosset, chief innovation officer of Schneider Electric. The first day will address applications (mobile, automotive, industrial, and medical) and technologies (sensors, optics, processing, and packaging) while the second day will delve into specific implementation techniques.
According to Yole Développement, the CMOS image-sensor (CIS) market is expected to grow at a 10% CAGR in revenue in the five-year period from 2013 to 2018, growing from US$ 7.8 billion in 2013 to $12.8 billion 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 2013-2018.
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 stated that the market is “expected to reach about $700 million 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 centers 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.