Samsung announces ISOCELL Vizion 63D and Vizion 931 sensors for robotics and extended reality applications

Samsung Electronics, the world’s second-largest technology company by revenue, has introduced two new camera sensors in its ISOCELL Vizion lineup, the Vizion 63D and the Vizion 931.

The Vizion 63D is the world’s first indirect time-of-flight (iToF) sensor with an integrated depth-sensing image signal processor (ISP) according to the company, and is tailored for capturing high-resolution 3D images. The Vizion 931 is a global shutter sensor that has been optimized to capture rapid motion without visible distortion.

The 63D is an indirect time-of-flight sensor that measures the phase shift between emitted and reflected light and uses this measurement to construct a 3D map of its surroundings. It features an integrated image-signal processor that performs depth sensing and can reportedly process images at up to 60 frames per second in QVGA resolution (320×240).

Vizion 63D captures images at a pixel size of 3.5 µm (the industry’s smallest in iToF sensors, according to Samsung) and a resolution of 640×480 (VGA). It uses backside-scattering technology (BST) to enhance light sensitivity and reduce noise for sharper images with minimal blur.

ISOCELL Vizion 63D specs:

Depth resolution:
- VGA (640 × 480)
- On-chip ISP: QVGA (320 × 240)
Depth Precision – < 0.1% (flood mode), < 0.2% (spot mode)
Depth Accuracy – < 1.0% (indoor), < 2.0% (outdoor)
Quantum Efficiency (Q.E) – 38% @ 940 nm
Pixel Size – 3.5 µm
Optical Format: 1/6.4”
Range – 0.2 – 10.0 m
VCSEL Wavelength – 940 nm
Output Interface – 1-lane MIPI CSI-2
Power Consumption – 175mW @ VGA, 115mW @ QVGA (Sensor only)

The Samsung ISOCELL Vizion 931 is a global shutter sensor that works by capturing all pixels in the frame at the same time. Therefore, it is capable of capturing fast movements without distortion such as wobble or the “jello effect.” This is unlike rolling shutter sensors.

The Vizion 931 was created for extended reality and robotics applications. It supports multi-drop functionality, allowing up to four cameras to be connected to an application processor with a single wire.

ISOCELL Vizion 931 specs:

Effective resolution – VGA+ (640 × 480)
Pixel Size – 2.2 µm
Shutter Type – Electronic global shutter
Color Filter – Monochrome/RGB
Optical Format: 1/9”
Range – 0.2 – 10.0 m
VCSEL Wavelength – 940 nm
Output Interface – MIPI CSI-2
Misc – Multi-camera sync, External Trigger, multi-drop connection (up to 4 sensors)
Supply Voltage – 2.2V for analog, 1.8V for I/O, and 1.05V for digital core supply
Operating Temperature – -20°C to +85°C

According to Haechang Lee of Samsung Electronics, both sensors were “engineered with state-of-the-art sensor technologies” and will be “essential in facilitating machine vision for future high-tech applications like robotics and extended reality (XR).”

Both sensors are currently sampling to original equipment manufacturers but pricing information is not yet available. It’s not the first ISOCELL sensor from Samsung, as we’ve previously covered the ISOCELL GN2 light-light sensor in an 8K 50MP camera module for Raspberry Pi, Jetson Nano, and other SBCs.

Thanks to TLS for the tip.

Tomisin Olujinmi

Tomisin is a writer specializing in hardware product reviews, comparisons, and explainers. He is very passionate about small form factor and single-board computers.