CSEM

Neuchâtel, CH

CSEM SA is a privately held company founded in 1984 focused on R&D in microtechnology and advanced system engineering and with core competencies in microelectronics, micromechanics, photonics, microrobotics, assembly and high-performance embedded software systems.

The activities of CSEM in the domain of vision are mainly focused on imaging systems of ultimate performance (in terms of power consumption, high-speed, dynamic range, sensitivity) as well as imagers with on chip and pixel-level signal-processing functionality. Specific know-how embraces thorough knowledge of semiconductor physics and devices, analogue and mixed-signal circuit design, analogue and digital control electronics for integrated image sensors, as well as firmware, algorithmic, software, optics design and system engineering for vision systems.

The original focus on the development of hardware is today complemented by a strong activity in the domain of algorithmic and image processing, with a special emphasis on algorithms and their implementation in embedded systems with limited resources (computing power / size).

CSEM is the worldwide leader in electronic 3D imaging based on Time-Of-Flight (TOF) cameras. These miniaturized TOF cameras can deliver in real-time 3D images with up to mm resolution. First products are currently under development notably for the automotive and doors/gates industries. This groundbreaking 3D camera technology was awarded numerous awards including the IST Grand Prize 2004, the “Swiss Technology Award” in the categories “Inventing the Future” and “Managing Information” as well as the “Photonics Circle of Excellence Award”.

In ProViScout, the unique 3D TOF technology is integrated with a Megapixel RGB sensor to a 2D/3D color camera, which will allow to generate 3D maps of objects and high resolution color images simultaneously. Science specific targets as well as the terrain profile relevant for the robot navigation will be captured in three dimensions.” The modular system design allows to adapt the camera to various environmental conditions and task requirements.

For more information visit CSEM’s official website.

Key Personnel

Christiane Gimkiewicz Christine Gimkiewicz received her diploma in electrical engineering from the University of Duisburg, Germany, in 1994. From 1994 until 1996 she worked on laser assisted micro systems technology at the University of Duisburg. From May 1996 until June 2001, she focused on the design, fabrication and packaging of planar integrated free-space optical components as member of the department of Optical Information Technology at the University of Hagen, Germany. She received her doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Hagen, Germany, in 2001. Since August 2001 she is a member of the CSEMs Optoelectronic Division working on the design, fabrication, packaging, and characterization of optical components and photonic systems.

Hans-Rudolf Graf Hans-Rudolf Graf received a M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from ETH in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1997. From 1997 to 1999 he was with Kapsch GmbH in Kloten, Switzerland as an R&D engineer in the field of automotive embedded systems. From 1999 to 2002 he worked at Alcatel/Nextream in Zurich, Switzerland, in the field of professional MPEG-2 video encoders and decoders. From 2002 to 2005 he was with BridgeCo in Duebendorf, Switzerland, in the field of microprocessor architecture, design and verification, for audio and video streaming over computer networks in consumer products. Since 2006 he is project leader at CSEM, focusing on the development of software and digital chips for image processing, network communication and cryptography.