OmniVision Technologies Inc. brings to the forefront a new mobile imaging solution. The company hit the Mobile World Congress with a new 1/4-inch, 5-megapixel RAW CMOS image sensor known as OV5647. The latest offering is based on OmniVision’s 1.4-micron OmniBSI backside illumination (BSI) technology. This cost-effective mobile imaging solution is noted to bring size and performance of BSI technology benefits while also letting phone designs to use existing baseband or applications processors for all its image processing functions.
The 1.4-micron OmniBSI pixel from OmniVision offers low light sensitivity, a small footprint and low profile z-height. This is great for employing in compact camera modules seen in notebooks and handsets. The OV5647 provides 720p HD video at 60 frames per second and 1080p HD video at 30 fps. It also offers complete user control while formatting and output data transfer. The sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio are enhanced as the 720p/60 HD video shoots in full field of view with 2 x 2 binning. There is also a post-binning re-sampling filter function specially seen in the OV5647.
“According to industry research firm iSuppli Corporation, 5-megapixel cameras will account for over one-third of all camera phones by 2012. The OV5647’s 1/4-inch optical format is well positioned to target the design-in sweet spot for mainstream handsets for three key reasons. First, it enables the industry-standard 8.5 x 8.5-mm module size with a z-height of less than 5-mm, offering miniaturization that is important for thinner camera phones. Second, the OV5647 is optimal for 720p/60 HD video, which is a key requirement in today’s handsets. Third, advanced technologies such as OmniBSI are transforming the image quality of mobile cameras, enabling mobile phone manufacturers to compete not just based on features, but on the camera performance,” said Vinoo Margasahayam, product marketing manager for OmniVision.
The OV5647 is fashioned for mobile phone users who want to implement a dual-chip solution with image signal processing in the baseband processor or applications. The latest senor has the ability to support two-lane MIPI interface or a digital video parallel port. It also offers windowed, binned or full-frame10-bit images in RAW RGB format. Customers are also provided with all the necessary automatic image control functions like automatic white balance, automatic 50/60-Hz luminance detection, automatic exposure control, automatic black level calibration and automatic band filter.
The 1/4-inch, 5-megapixel RAW CMOS image sensor known as OV5647 is already sampling and is expected to start mass production by July this year.