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Posts Tagged ‘OmniVision’

OmniVision launches the OV64B, a 64MP smartphone sensor with 0.7 micron pixels

28 Apr

Mobile sensor manufacturer OmniVision has announced the OV64B, a 1/2” sensor it claims is the ‘world’s first 0.7-micron 64-megapixel image sensor’ that’s destined for ultra-thin flagship smartphones.

The 1/2” sensor is built on OmniVision’s PureCel Plus-S stacked die technology and a four-cell color filter array (CFA) with on-chip hardware for re-mosaic. In addition to 64MP (9248 x 6944 pixel) stills, the sensor can also output 16MP images with what OmniVision claims is 4x the sensitivity thanks to near-pixel binning that yields images with a sensitivity equivalent to sensors with 1.4-micron pixels. Omnivision also notes 2X digital crop zoom modes are also supported at 16MP.

In terms of video, the OV64B is capable of recording 8K video at up to 30 frames per second (fps) 4K video at up to 60 fps and 4K video with electronic image stabilization (EIS) at up to 30 fps. It can achieve slow-mo capture at up to 240 fps at 1080p and 480 fps at 720p as well, with other output options including 64MP still capture at up to 15 fps and 16MP still capture at up to 30 fps with four-cell pixel binning.

The last notable feature is the sensor’s 2×2 microlens phase detection autofocus (ML-PDAF) that OmniVision claims improves autofocus accuracy, particularly in low-light situations.

No specific information is given in regards to what smartphone manufacturers may use this sensor in their devices, but OmniVision says the first smaple units should ship out to prospective clients in May 2020. It’s also no coincidence that the OV64B has specifications that align almost perfectly with the capabilities of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 chipset, which is being used in flagship Android devices around the world.

You can find out more information on the OV64B on OmniVision’s website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Omnivision launches high-end 1/1.7″ 64MP smartphone image sensor

21 Feb

OmniVision might not be the most well-known image sensor maker, but the company is among the sector’s big players and its imagers can be found in a wide range of smartphone cameras.

Now Omnivision has launched a new image sensor that is set to compete with some high-end models from Sony and Samsung. The OV64C is Omnivision’s first 1/1.7? 64MP sensor with a 0.8-micron pixel size and is built on the company’s PureCel Plus stacked die technology.

It features 4K video recording with electronic image stabilization as well as an on-chip 4-cell color filter array and hardware re-mosaic, which allows for full-resolution 64MP Bayer output. In low light, the sensor can use pixel binning methods to output 16MP images with lower noise levels and better dynamic range. It also offers a 2x digital zoom crop at 16MP resolution and fast mode switch.

Other features include type-2 2×2 microlens phase detection autofocus, 8K video at 30 fps and 3-exposure, staggered HDR timing for up to 16MP video modes. Omnivision says the OV64C is designed for use in smartphone main cameras. Samples are available to industry customers now, so we should be able to see what the new chip can do when implemented in a smartphone within the next few months.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Omnivision introduces new sensors for mobile devices with wider DR and lower noise

11 Nov

Chinese sensor manufacturer OmniVision Technologies has announced four new image sensors for smartphones that feature improved dynamic range and noise performance. The 16MP and 20MP sensors offer higher full-well capacity which allows pixels to collect more charge before clipping: increasing dynamic range.

A new structure allows pixels to convert more of the light captured into electrical charge, resulting in a claimed 12.5% improvement in sensitivity, giving better low light performance. Better separation between pixels also improves noise by helping to prevent color crosstalk, and thus should produce a cleaner image in dim conditions.

The standard versions of each chip allow further improvements in dynamic range using a method that records two different exposures simultaneously called zHDR. The sensor divides the pixels in a zig zag pattern so that some record a long exposure and others a short one, and the two exposures are combined to form an image with a wider range of tones.

These are second generation sensors that already use phase detection AF and which can record 4K video.

‘4C’ variants of both chips include a non-standard color filter array pattern that makes it easier to combine the signal from four pixels, to give less noisy, lower resolution images.

The company says that they will be ready for mass production in the early part of next year. For more information see the OmniVision website.

Press release

OmniVision Debuts Second-Generation PureCel®Plus and PureCel®Plus-S Technology and Product Families

OmniVision’s Newest Pixel Architecture Brings Exceptional Low-Light Performance and Increased Dynamic Range to Advanced Imaging Applications

OmniVision Technologies, Inc., a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, today introduced its latest advancement in leading-edge pixel technologies: second- generation PureCel®Plus and PureCel®Plus-S. In keeping with OmniVision’s tradition of delivering industry-leading image sensors, the second- generation PureCel Plus technology offers significant improvements over the previous generation, such as higher full-well capacity (FWC), better sensitivity, increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and enhanced low-light performance. Though the initial development was focused on supporting small-pixel products for mobile applications, this technology will ultimately benefit many other image sensor applications.

OmniVision’s second-generation PureCelPlus technology showcases various performance improvements, including:

  • 20 percent increase in FWC, enabling higher dynamic range.
  • A newly introduced composite metal grid (CMG) structure, which increases pixel quantum efficiency and enhances sensor low-light performance, leading to a 12.5 percent improvement in sensitivity.
  • Improved deep trench isolation (DTI) structure, which further reduces color crosstalk and improves the SNR10 (low-light performance index) number by 10 lux.

These structure improvements also enable small-pixel sensors to have better tolerance to incident light angles. This in turn allows imaging systems to use lower F-number lenses for better brightness, and to realize lower module heights that are essential for slimmer phone designs.

“Maintaining good image quality and sensor performance for small pixels in low-light conditions has always been a challenge in the digital imaging space. OmniVision has delivered increasing engineering advances over the years to address this market need,” said Dr. Song Xue, senior manager of sensor technology at OmniVision. “Our second-generation PureCelPlus technology enables our end users to capture high-quality, high-resolution photos, even in challenging lighting environments.”

OmniVision’s second-generation PureCel Plus-S technology will empower new families of compact 20-megapixel and 16-megapixel sensors. The 20-megapixel OV20880 and OV20880-4C and the 16-megapixel OV16885 and OV16885-4C are designed to deliver high-resolution images to high-end smartphones across a variety of lighting conditions.

The OV20880, OV20880-4C, OV16885 and the OV16885-4C are currently available for sampling and are expected to enter volume production in the first quarter of 2017.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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OmniVision announces 1.55-Micron sensor for high-end smartphones

02 Jun

Image sensor maker OmniVision has announced its latest product, the OV12890, a 1/2.3-inch 12MP sensor with a 1.55-micron pixel-size that has been designed with implementation in high-end smartphones in mind. OmniVision claims the new chip delivers improved sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio compared to previous generations. It also offers a 12-bit architecture that allows for faster readout speeds.

The OV12890 comes with on-sensor phase detection and built-in HDR capabilities. It can capture 12MP still images at 45 fps, 4K video at 60 frames per second and Full-HD 1080p video at 240 fps, allowing for smooth high-resolution slow-motion footage. It fits into 10 x 10mm camera modules with a z-height of 6mm. 

‘As cameras for premium smartphones continue to improve, we see the resolution race slowing down and increasing emphasis placed on pixel performance and image sensor size as key to ever-higher quality mobile images and video,” said James Liu, senior technical marketing manager at OmniVision.’

The sensor is currently available for sampling and is expected to enter volume production in Q4 2016. We were quite impressed with the performance of of OmniVision’s 1/2.4-inch 16MP sensor OV16860 in our recent Lenovo Moto G Plus quick review, so looking at the impressive specifications of the new chip we are really looking forward to its implementation in production devices.

Press release:

TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — OmniVision Technologies, Inc., a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, today announced the OV12890, a new 1.55-micron big-pixel sensor for flagship smartphones. Built on OmniVision’s PureCel®Plus-S stacked die technology, the OV12890 delivers improved sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with faster 12-bit readout architecture when compared with previous-generation big-pixel sensors. These performance enhancements enable the 1/2.3-inch OV12890 to capture ultra-high resolution, high frame rate images and video with support for phase detection autofocus (PDAF), making it an attractive camera solution for premium smartphones.

“As cameras for premium smartphones continue to improve, we see the resolution race slowing down and increasing emphasis placed on pixel performance and image sensor size as key to ever-higher quality mobile images and video,” said James Liu, senior technical marketing manager at OmniVision. “The OV12890 is our newest big-pixel stacked die image sensor for the mobile market, and represents one of our strongest offerings for premium smartphones. The feature-rich OV12890 captures exceptional images and video in a compact package, making it a top-flightimaging solution for flagship mobile devices.”

The OV12890 leverages OmniVision’s PureCelPlus-S pixel technology to capture full resolution 12-megapixel images and video at 45 FPS, ultra-high resolution 4K2K video at 60 FPS, and 1080p full HD definition video at 240 FPS via high speed D-PHY and C-PHY interfaces. The OV12890 also supports advanced features such as high dynamic range (HDR).

The OV12890 can fit into 10 x10 mm modules with a z-height of 6 mm. The sensor is currently available for sampling and is expected to enter volume production in the fourth quarter of 2016.

About OmniVision
OmniVision Technologies is a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions. Its award-winning CMOS imaging technology enables superior image quality in many of today’s consumer and commercial applications, including mobile phones, notebooks, tablets and webcams, digital still and video cameras, security and surveillance, entertainment devices, automotive and medical imaging systems. Find out more at www.ovt.com.

OmniVision® and the OmniVision logo are registered trademarks of OmniVision Technologies, Inc. PureCel®Plus-S is a trademark of OmniVision Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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OmniVision offers 8MP BSI CMOS and inexpensive 5MP camera modules

31 Oct

OV5645_media_image.png

Connect: Sensor maker Omnivision has announced two smartphone-targeted CMOS camera modules. The OV5645 is built on an affordable 1/4″-type 5MP sensor built around a standardized MIPI interface, allowing processing functions to be passed to the host processor, rather than having to include JPEG compression in the device. The OV8835 uses a higher-end, 1/3.2″-type 8MP second-generation BSI CMOS sensor with claimed ‘best-in-class pixel performance.’ 

News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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