Light and Imaging

Light and Imaging Sensors

An image sensor is a sensor that detects and conveys information used to make an image. It does so by converting the variable attenuation of light waves as they pass through or reflect off objects, into electrical signals that convey the information. There are two main types of image sensors, charge-coupled devices (CCD) and active-pixel sensors (CMOS sensors).

How does an image sensor work?

An image sensor receives incident light (photons) that is focused through a lens or other optics. Whereas a CMOS sensor converts photons into electrons, then to a voltage, and then into a digital value using an on-chip Analog to Digital Converter (ADC).