Feb 12 2008
OmniVision Technologies, Inc., the world's largest supplier of CMOS image sensors, today launched the world's smallest VGA CameraChip sensor, the OV7690. The new 1/13-inch VGA sensor features the newest generation of OmniVision's proprietary pixel architecture, OmniPixel3-HS, which delivers almost double the sensitivity and low-light performance (960mV/Lux-sec) of other low cost sensors.
The OV7690's new 1.75-micron OmniPixel3-HS architecture combined with a unique, non-linear micro lens shift technology allows for a significant reduction in distance between the sensor and the lens, and thus enables OmniVision to significantly reduce the module height while maintaining the highest levels of image quality and camera performance. The result is an ultra-thin camera module of just 4.5 x 4.5 x 2.8 mm, a critical characteristic both for slim camera phones and for notebook applications where the camera module can be no thicker than the LCD housing.
"With the VGA camera market still experiencing solid growth and showing even further growth potential, we developed this VGA sensor with our most advanced production pixel technology," said Bruce Weyer, OmniVision's Vice President of Marketing. "Emerging markets offer huge potential for entry-level camera phones, while mature markets look to use the OV7690 for secondary cameras in high-end handsets and integrated laptop cameras. The OV7690 is a great camera solution for mobile handsets and laptop computers that want excellent image quality from a very small VGA sensor, and we believe that the OV7690 will help us increase our leadership position in the VGA market segment."
The OV7690 comes in a newly developed chip scale package (CSP3) which further improves device reliability and reduces system height.
The OV7690 is currently available for sampling, and OmniVision expects to begin volume production in the third calendar quarter of 2008.