Summary

Text supplied on NASA page:

---Active Pixel Sensor in the Palm of your Hand---

Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor Active Pixel Sensors (CMOS APS).

Recognizing the continuing need for lightweight imaging systems especially for interplanetary spacecraft applications, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory began research on a second-generation solid state image sensor technology. The realization of that research occurred in late 1992 with the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor Active Pixel Sensors (CMOS APS).

By consolidating functions and reading images more efficiently, the CMOS APS requires one-hundredth the power of a CCD system. The APS also provides JPL with a chip that not only requires less power, but is lighter and less susceptible to radiation damage in space, thereby achieving the goal of smaller, cheaper fabrications enabling affordability of future missions and good science return.

Licensing

	This file is in the public domain in the United States because it was solely created by NASA. NASA copyright policy states that "NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted". (See Template:PD-USGov, NASA copyright policy page or JPL Image Use Policy.)
	Warnings: Use of NASA logos, insignia and emblems is restricted per U.S. law 14 CFR 1221. The NASA website hosts a large number of images from the Soviet/Russian space agency, and other non-American space agencies. These are not necessarily in the public domain. Materials based on Hubble Space Telescope data may be copyrighted if they are not explicitly produced by the STScI.[2] See also {{PD-Hubble}} and {{Cc-Hubble}}. The SOHO (ESA & NASA) joint project implies that all materials created by its probe are copyrighted and require permission for commercial non-educational use. [3] Images featured on the Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) web site may be copyrighted. [4] The National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) site has been known to host copyrighted content. Its photo gallery FAQ states that all of the images in the photo gallery are in the public domain "Unless otherwise noted."