NEWS MAY 2010
Cambridge Mechatronics Demonstrates Breakthrough In Smart Phone Cameras With Miniature Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) System
Cambridge, UK, May 21st, 2010 Cambridge Mechatronics Ltd (CML), a leading developer of Intellectual Property and components for precision electronic actuators used in high volume consumer products, today announced that it has demonstrated its potentially industry-changing Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) system to key customers and partners. The demonstration of this prototype technology is highly important as it proves that Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators are fundamentally capable of the performance required for OIS in the miniature cameras used in smart-phones.
The key development in making miniature OIS possible is CML’s ‘mass-less’ actuator, which uses wire made from Shape Memory Alloy (SMA). When heated using an analogue electronic circuit the SMA wire shrinks by up to 5% of its length; as the wire cools it gets longer again. CML’s SMA actuator technology is already being used to move lenses for the purpose of Auto-focus (A-F) in a growing number of miniature camera designs.
As the wire is only 25 microns thick (quarter the thickness of a human hair) SMA-based A-F actuators permit the use of a lens that is more than 30% larger than is currently possible. In addition, as the force provided by the transition of the metal alloy is far greater than that provided by Voice Coil Motors (VCMs are currently the most commonly used miniature actuator) it becomes possible to use heavier glass-lenses, as opposed to plastic, further enhancing optical quality.
The first smart-phones with SMA-based Auto-focus will ship in late spring 2010.
OIS is the next stage in the continual improvement of mobile phone camera technology as it enables increased exposure times for still photography and ‘shakeless’ high definition video.
“Optical Image Stabilisation offers great opportunities for CML” said Richard Topliss, CML’s Chief Technical Officer “It leverages our digital imaging expertise, it leverages our SMA expertise and perhaps most importantly it still requires some mechatronic invention”.
With its track record of developing and delivering SMA A-F (including custom semiconductor provision) and other products for the consumer market place, CML is confident that its first licensees for the OIS technology will enter Mass Production in Early 2012.
OIS - Image Performance Comparison
Standard Cell Phone AF Camera
SMA OIS Camera