SmartSens

SmartSens Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. operates as a high-performance CMOS image sensor (CIS) chip design company, establishing its headquarters in Shanghai, China, in 2011. The company was founded by Dr. Richard Xu, who also serves as CEO, and co-founder Dr. Yaomu Mo, the company's CTO. Dr. Xu holds a PhD in electrical and electronic engineering from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and has over two decades of experience in the semiconductor industry, including roles at leading image sensor companies in Silicon Valley. His research on low-power CMOS image sensors and solutions for system noise issues has led to numerous U.S. and Chinese patents. Dr. Mo, who has a PhD from the Chinese Academy of Sciences University, is responsible for designing nearly one hundred CMOS image sensors and has held R&D leadership positions at prominent Silicon Valley CIS companies.

SmartSens employs a fabless business model, concentrating on the research, development, and design of its chips while outsourcing the manufacturing process to foundry partners like TSMC. The company primarily generates revenue through the sale of its high-performance CMOS image sensor chips. Its products serve a diverse client base across security surveillance, automotive electronics, machine vision, and consumer electronics, including smartphones, drones, and smart home devices. The company has secured its position as a key supplier for first-tier security camera vendors such as Hikvision and Dahua Technology.

The product portfolio features advanced imaging solutions that address a variety of applications. A significant milestone was the launch of its first mass-produced chip, the SC1035, in 2014, which propelled the company into the security sector. Since 2017, SmartSens has consistently held a leading global market share in the security CIS segment. The company has developed proprietary technologies like SFCPixel®, which enhances sensitivity for superior night-vision imaging, and SmartGS® technology, which combines BSI and Global Shutter technologies. In 2020, SmartSens expanded into the automotive market through the strategic acquisition of Allchip Microelectronics and also launched its Cellphone Sensor (CS) series for the mobile phone market. A key corporate achievement was its official listing on the Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR Market) of the Shanghai Stock Exchange on May 20, 2022, under the stock code 688213.

Keywords: CMOS image sensors, chip design, fabless semiconductor, security surveillance, automotive electronics, machine vision, smart home, global shutter, night vision, consumer electronics