Why is CCD lower resolution and higher cost?
Three reasons: 1) The part itself is a lot more expensive. In the CCD camera, the single most expensive part is the CCD sensor itself. In fact, it it can well be more expensive than ALL the other electronics combined. The primary reason for this is that CMOS sensors are built on process lines which build conventional CMOS integrated circuits in immense volumes. CCD sensors are built with a much less common process. 2) The interface circuitry for the CMOS part is a lot simpler. CMOS parts run on one logic voltage (3.3V, typically) and have on board A/D converters. It is essentially a logic part insofar as interfacing is concerned. CCD parts use various obscure and critical voltages which have to be generated and have to be right. Believe me. So, we have to design and include these odd ball voltages, add A/D converters, etc. Some of this stuff is pretty hairy. It works fine once you get it going, but getting there takes more work. 3) We spent a lot more engineering time on the CCD produc
