Camera Modules

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Providing high-performance optics and electronics assembly

Since 2000, Syntec Optics has been making compact camera modules. It is a leading domestic manufacturer of high-performance camera modules, including low/moderate to large volumes, high precision, sub-5mm, and greater size. We have demonstrated a unique ability to do optics assembly and electronics assembly with active alignment and reducing overall costs. Syntec Optics is a vertically integrated company from design to component manufacturing for lens system assembly and, finally, imaging module integration for all program requirements.

Design of Lens Systems

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Our optical designers work with you on every detail to meet the specified program’s requirements for your lens system. They consider optical design parameters such as f-number, object distance, fixed focus/autofocus, field of view (FOV), operating wavelength band, frequency range, MTF, scene dynamic range, distortion, chief ray angle (CRA), stray light requirements, and centration tolerances. They validate the suitability of glass/plastic materials based on functional and manufacturing requirements. Our optical designers can meet the demands of these high-performance systems, which are small in size, demand high tolerances, and have multiple constituent elements because of our experience and expertise.

Mechanical Design of Lens Systems

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Working alongside our optical designers, our mechanical design team at Syntec Optics considers the parameters such as ruggedization and centration of lens systems while designing the system’s opto-mechanical components. Material selection, shape, geometric dimensioning and tolerances, fits, and surface finish are important considerations for system elements like barrels, housings, and retainers. A highly-skilled and experienced manufacturing engineering team provides valuable feedback at the design stage that makes our products superior.

Component Manufacturing

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Syntec Optics has developed a useful and unparalleled advantage in the whole field of optics on two fronts for any lens material (glass, plastics, fused silica, or crystals):

Vertical Integration (VI): We have in-house optics manufacturing from design, optics/mechanical manufacturing, coating, diamond turning – nanomachining, tooling, and metrology, to module assembly and testing (in-line/end-of-line) for a wide range of optics materials all in one location, and:
Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Product development challenges can be overcome by applying the above deep-expertise and prototyping-ability in manufacturing to simultaneously, seamlessly, and continually improve optics designs. Mid-spatial-frequency (MSF) errors are an important DFM consideration for lens systems. Our engineering team works one-on-one with customers to overcome challenges with DFM.

Our unique advantage of VI and DFM offers more benefits to our customers, including intricate manufacturing (for complexly interrelating parts), rapid prototyping, scalability, and most importantly, a path to continually reduced size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C).

Optical Assembly

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In comparison to our competitors, Syntec Optics has a certified Class 1,000 cleanroom used for the optical assembly that we use for testing precision polymer and glass optical systems and module integration that is highly sensitive to environmental particulates. We understand the critical need for axial alignment and precise optical pathway placement. Our assembly staff has years of experience and is skilled in centration, electro-optics integration, optical bonding, and sonic welding techniques.

In-Line Testing

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Syntec Optics has one of the fastest and most accurate MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) measurement systems on the market for qualifying camera module miniature lenses. These are the leading range of MTF measuring instruments for testing the image quality of optical components. These instruments provide a measurement accuracy of 0.8 % MTF on-axis and 1.5 % off-axis, and a measurement time of 1.3 seconds per sample.

Electronic Assembly

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Our highly skilled staff overcomes the critical challenge of active alignment and series production of high-precision camera module systems. Our systems ensure accurate, repeatable, and fast alignment and assembly of camera modules due to a controlled, automated manufacturing process. The optimization of image quality using active alignment technology leads to a decrease in production rejects. The increasing yield and high image quality make active alignment an efficient manufacturing method for high-end camera applications.

End-of-Line Testing

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Syntec Optics performs complete performance testing of all camera modules. Our end-of-line testing includes measurement systems for more stringent requirements for the characterization of image quality and the assembly of camera modules. The entire test chain for optical systems, sensor components, and complete camera systems must meet these new requirements. Our systems can measure optical and opto-mechanical test parameters such as MTF, image plane tilt, and rotation and sensor parameters such as relative illumination or spectral response. Our highly-automated and precisely-calibrated testing procedures meet the quality control expectations of our customers.

FAQs

What are some optical considerations for camera module design?

f-number, object distance, fixed focus/autofocus, field of view (FOV), operating wavelength band, frequency range, MTF, scene dynamic range, distortion, chief ray angle (CRA), stray light requirements, and centration tolerances

What are some opto-mechanical considerations for camera module design?

Ruggedization and centration of lens systems, material selection, shape, geometric dimensioning and tolerances, fits, and surface finish

What are end-of-line testing parameters for camera modules?

Optical and opto-mechanical test parameters such as MTF, image plane tilt, and rotation and sensor parameters such as relative illumination or spectral response

What are the advantages of vertical integration (VI) and design for manufacturability (DFM) in camera module manufacturing?

In camera module manufacturing, VI and DFM offer advantages such as intricate manufacturing (for complexly interrelating parts), rapid prototyping, scalability, and, most importantly, a path to continually reduced size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C).

What are the components of the optical assembly in camera module manufacturing?

Axial alignment, precise optical pathway placement, centration, electro-optics integration, optical bonding, and sonic welding techniques