Micron introduces two low-power VGA-size CMOS image sensors

FEBRUARY 18--Micron Technology Inc. (Boise, ID; www.micron.com) has introduced VGA-size ultralow-power CMOS image sensor camera system-on-a-chip (SoC) devices (MI-SOC-0343) and stand-alone VGA-size CMOS image sensors (MI-0343). The VGA-size CMOS image sensors are designed to capture high-quality color images for small-form-factor, low-power, high-image-quality mobile applications. Micron will be demonstrating the MI-SOC-0343 and MI-0343 devices at the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, France, this week.

The stand-alone sensor operates at 40 mW at 15 frames/s, and the SoC operates at 85 mW at 15 frames/s. Both products offer a VGA resolution of 640H x 480V and can be programmed to output progressive scan images up to 30 frames/s. The SoC can be programmed to output images in 8-bit CCIR 656 (YCrCb) or 565-RGB format. This flexibility allows product designs to easily incorporate preview modes. The frame- and line-valid signals are output on dedicated pins, along with a pixel clock that is synchronous with valid data.

The SoC combines the CMOS image sensor core with Micron's Image Flow Processor and performs a number of processing functions, including color recovery, color correction, sharpening, auto black reference clamping, autoexposure, automatic 50/60-Hz scan switching, lens shading correction, and auto white balance. The SoC provides all the functions of a CMOS imaging camera on a singe chip and eliminates the need for expensive additional image processing and camera controller ASICs. This reduces system chip count and also helps reduce form factor of camera modules for hand-held mobile applications.