CMOS Technology Will Result in New Vehicle Safety Applications

    SAN JOSE, Calif.--Feb. 20, 2001--The rise in sales of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) has increased concerns about their safety. The emergence of Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensors, however, could be the key to alleviating such fears.
    "The automobile industry, as a whole, has unlimited possibilities for image sensors, especially CMOS sensors," says Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Nicole Wagner.
    New strategic analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://frost2001.frost.com), World Image Sensor Markets, reveals the entire image sensor industry generated revenues of $2.4 billion in 2000. Frost & Sullivan projects revenues to top the $6.5-billion mark by 2007.
    SUVs are designed for occasional off-road use, resulting in larger vehicles with higher centers of gravity. While this aids in off-road handling, it is detrimental for street driving, increasing the chances of rollover accidents and inflicting more damage to passenger cars when involved in otherwise minor fender-benders. SUV manufacturers are turning to image sensors to improve safety features such as controlled airbag deployment and collision avoidance systems.
    "The overall development of CMOS image sensors in the automotive industry can increase the safety of motor vehicles and especially SUVs," says Wagner. "The automotive industry is anticipating the use of CMOS technology in its production line of SUVs and other vehicles around the year 2004."
    Auto manufacturers deal in high-volumes and require sensors that are inexpensive and easy to implement into their applications. CMOS sensors offer automakers an advantage; they are easier to fabricate and do not need specialized production plants. They are also very small and easy to customize, all of which leads to lower production costs and lower unit prices.
    "CMOS image sensors are more suited for automotive applications due to the low cost of the sensor," says Wagner. "The cost of the sensor is especially important in applications that are manufactured in large volumes with individual sensors needed in each application."
    Frost & Sullivan presents the 2001 Marketing Engineering Awards to companies that have worked hard to make a positive contribution to the world image sensor industry. The CCD Market Engineering Leadership Award is presented to Sony . The CMOS Technology Innovation Award is given to Foveon. The CCD Marketing Strategy Award goes to Eastman Kodak . The Market Engineering Leadership Award is presented to Agilent Technologies . The Merger and Acquisition Strategy Award goes to Photobit Corp.
    Companies that participated within this industry include: Agilent Technologies; Atmel Corporation; Austria MikroSysteme Group; Dalsa Inc.; Eastman Kodak; ElecVision; FillFactory; Foveon; Global Imaging/Rhode Island; Hamamatsu Corporation; Hualon Microelectronics Corporation; Hyundai Electronics Industries Co.; Marconi Applied Technologies; Matsushita Electric Corporation of America; Mitsubishi Electronics; OmniVision Technologies Inc.; Photobit; Samsung Camera, USA; Sanyo Semiconductor Manufacturing; Scientific Imaging Technology; Sharp Microelectronics of the Americas; Sony Electronics Inc.; STMicroelectronics; Suni Imaging Micro Systems; Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.; Texas Instruments; Toshiba Corporation; Tower Semiconductor, Ltd.; UMC; Vanguard International Semiconductor Corp., and Victor Company of Japan, Limited. Associations include the National Association of Manufacturers, and ISA.
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