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CCD

A Charged Coupled Device (CCD) described in simplest terms is a device which converts visible light into electrical signals.  A photoactive layer on the CCD creates an electrical charge from incoming light, the CCD then transfers this charge into electrical signals which are sent to other circuitry for processing.  There haven’t been many dramatic changes to CCD technology in recent years; most advances which pertain to the RVI industry have been making smaller and smaller fractional cameras. Most CCD's are commonly 1/3 inch or 1/4 inch sensors, however, 1/10 inch sensors have been made available in recent years and are currently used in 6 millimeter or smaller video probes and for steam generator in-bundle devices.

CCD devices provide excellent picture quality, even in the smaller sizes; however, they are fairly fragile. Very tiny bond wires are used to connect the CCD to surrounding circuitry and these bond wires can be broken with strong knocks or vibration. CCD technology also generates a large amount of heat making them less tolerant to high temperature environments and very small enclosed spaces.

CCD technology has excellent light sensitivity and is the sensor of choice for very high quality and high profile applications. However, recent advances in CMOS technology have started to rattle the foundation of the CCD imager empire.
 

Related

• CMOS
• Imaging System Resolution
• Remote Visual Inspection
• Depth of Field
• Lenses