Why Custom Design?
The most common reason to choose to develop a custom image sensor is the lack of a standard commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) sensor that meets all, or enough, of the client’s product development requirements. Developing a custom image sensor is often driven by specific requirements that standard commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) sensors cannot fully meet. While COTS sensor manufacturers create products based on general market requirements, niche markets often demand more specialised sensor features. These might include precise electro-optical performance requirement specifications, power or thermal management constraints, and environmental challenges. There are many trade-off decisions to be made during the design process and it is therefore often possible to make significant advances for application critical parameters if other more general constraints can be disregarded.
Opting to create a custom image sensor enables forward-thinking companies to distinguish their products and gain a competitive advantage. By doing so, they avoid competing in the open market where rival companies have access to the same COTS sensors which limit system performance differentiation. This decision represents a significant investment in terms of both time and financial resources. Selecting the right design partner becomes crucial to capitalise on market opportunities within the appropriate timeframe. At SI Sensors, we recognise the importance of establishing trust and nurturing collaborative customer relationships with excellent communication. Our commitment extends to supporting customers throughout all stages of chip design, development and production with a focus on minimising costs and time.

Characterisation, Screening Tests and Qualification
SI Sensors engineers can perform detailed electro-optical testing from characterisation, through mass production testing, to qualification.
Our in-house test bench is regularly calibrated to ensure accuracy. We can adapt our tests to suit customer requirements and/or adhere to industry standards such as EMVA 1288 and ESCC 9020.
Characterisation
Characterisation is performed on all new image sensor designs with input signals and control timing optimised to maximise performance. Detailed electro-optical testing can then accurately determine the sensor’s performance.
Validation work can be undertaken to confirm or prove that the sensor performs according to expectations and will ultimately meet the needs of our customers.
Verification work can be undertaken to confirm or prove that the sensor conforms to specific requirements.
Screening
SI Sensors can perform production screening testing to confirm specification compliance on batch samples or up to 100% of deliverable sensors.