MARCH 3--OmniVision Technologies Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA; www.ovt.com), an independent supplier of CameraChip solutions for high-volume imaging applications, has begun offering 3.1-Mpixel CameraChips to customers with its newly developed VarioPixel technology. The OV3610 CameraChip is designed for use by volume manufacturers of digital still cameras or combination still image/video cameras where high image quality and low power constraints place stringent demands on CameraChip providers. VarioPixel is a new technology developed by OmniVision to enhance the video and low-light capabilities of its high-resolution CameraChips.
VarioPixel uses multiple pixels to act as a single pixel to improve chip performance. CameraChips that incorporate the technology can provide significantly improved low-light performance at video resolutions, giving consumers improved LCD preview capabilities and enhanced video capture.
The OV3610 is a 1/2-in. optical format CMOS CameraChip with 2048 x 1536 pixels. It outputs Bayer Pattern RGB data and integrates auto-white balance, autoexposure, and autogain control and performs correlated double sampling. Based on the VarioPixel technology, it can output XGA resolution video with 4x low-light performance enhancement.
The OV3610 is pin-for-pin compatible with OmniVision's current OV9620 1.3-Mpixel and OV2610 2-Mpixel CameraChips. It draws less than 50mA at 3.3 V, significantly less than comparable CCD based multichip image sensor solutions currently available on the market. CMOS CameraChips require fewer supporting components than comparable CCD offerings. This allows manufacturers to reduce the overall size and complexity of their camera design and speed the camera manufacturers' time-to-market.
