What does "camera module" mean? A diagram of the assembly of the camera module

Let's take the G1 camera module developed by Huaxing Vision as an example to give you a detailed introduction to the composition and functions of the camera module.

Camera Compact Module, the English name for it, is abbreviated as CCM. The camera module is an electronic device used for capturing images and is an indispensable component of a camera. The camera module is usually composed of three main components: the lens, the image sensor, and the image processing chip, which are connected by a circuit board.

1. Lens

   A lens is a device that collects light onto an image sensor. A lens is usually composed of several lenses forming a lens group. Lenses are classified by material into glass (GLASS) and plastic (PLASTIC). For example, 1G + 5P represents a mixed lens composed of one glass lens and five plastic lenses. The choice of lens can be determined according to the shooting requirements, such as wide-angle lens, telephoto lens, and large aperture lens, etc.

   
2. Image sensor

   The image sensor is the core component of the camera module. Its surface has hundreds or tens of millions of photodiodes. When exposed to light, the photodiodes undergo the photoelectric effect, converting the light signal into an electrical signal. Currently, the main types of image sensors include CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) and CCD (Charge-Coupled Device).

   
3. Image processing chips (ISP/DSP/SOC)

   The image processing chip DSP or the system-level master control chip SOC is responsible for the image processing tasks. It can convert electrical signals into digital image signals and process the images through the internal image processor (ISP). These processing steps may include color correction, image enhancement, noise reduction, EIS anti-shake, etc.

   
4. Circuit Board (PCB/FPC)

   The circuit board serves as the carrier that connects the aforementioned components together. The circuit board of the camera module can be either a printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible circuit board (FPC), which is responsible for connecting the main control chip, sensors, and other electronic components, thus enabling the normal operation of the camera module.

   

During the operation of the camera module, the light from the object is gathered by the lens and then received by the image sensor, which converts it into an electrical signal. Subsequently, after being processed by the image processing chip, the electrical signal is converted into a digital image signal and output to the digital signal processor for further processing. Eventually, through a series of processes, the digital image signal is converted into standard image signals in formats such as GRB and YUV.

Camera modules are widely used in various fields, including video equipment, mobile phones, medical devices, surveillance cameras, machine vision, industrial equipment, smart wearable devices, and intelligent vehicle-mounted cameras, etc. Their functions and performance have a significant impact on the quality and accuracy of image capture.

In summary, the camera module, as a modular device integrating main components such as the main control chip, lens and sensor, plays a significant role in electronic devices. It has a complex structure and rich functions, capable of meeting the application requirements of various fields. With the continuous development of technology, the performance and application scope of camera modules will continue to expand, bringing people more convenient and high-quality shooting and monitoring experiences.