Huawei is developing its own CMOS camera sensor

Huawei is working on its own CMOS camera sensor for future phones. This rumor appeared as the company was developing its own technologies in order to become self-reliant.

The latest input on this matter is coming from a Weibo tipster – Jerrold_Tech, who’s saying that Huawei is pursuing its own CMOS image sensor which is designed with a new dedicated process. Also, it supports some new processes such as epitaxial layer processes. This could compete against the current mainstream back-illuminated process (BSI).

A BSI CMOS image sensing process includes the following steps. A substrate having an active side is provided. A curving process is performed to curve the active side. A reflective layer is formed on the active side so that at least a curved mirror is formed on the active side

Compared to conventional CMOS image sensors with a front-illuminated structure, it has achieved roughly double the sensitivity while also reducing noise.

However, we don’t have information about the details of this epitaxial layer process in the wafer. Different material – Epitaxy allows for the growth of material different from the substrate such as SiGe. In fact, multiple layers of SiGe and Si can be grown on top. This is how heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBT) and modern MOSFETs are made.

Huawei and Sony:

Sony and Huawei have been working together on camera sensor technology for a long time. After US sanctions, Sony received permission to supply image sensors to Huawei. However, the Chinese techmaker is now working more on itself rather than relying on Sony for its mobile camera requirements.

Huawei wants to compete?

No, it’s not about competition, instead, Huawei wants to make tech for its own products and smartphones might be the key focus of this approach. The company has over a decade of experience in mobile camera sensors, pixel arrangement, image composition, and other key aspects of the image sensor. Huawei can also customize ISP, which it has been doing with an in-house Kirin chip.

So, Huawei knows all of the ingredients of an image sensor and it would not be an issue for the company to form an image sensor. However, like every new product, it would need more than enough testing. For now, Huawei has not announced anything about its own image camera sensors but we’ll keep you posted.

(Source – Weibo)