OmniVision today announced its OV3642, a single-chip, .25" 3-megapixel CameraChip sensor that for the first time embeds the company's TrueFocus technology in the same sensor. Also announced is OmniVision's OmniPixel3-HS architecture which incorporates a new pixel design that results in doubled sensitivity of its 1.75μm OmniPixel3 architecture to 960 millivolts per lux-second. The architecture, used in the OV3642, enhances image capture under very low light conditions allowing for new compact camera solutions for mobile handsets, and ultimately paving the way for greater video capabilities.
The details and crispness are significantly improved because of new depth of field capabilities so that clear edges and contrast are obvious, indoors or out.
OmniPixel3-HS eliminates color shading across the image plane. Featuring low stack height, the technology delivers sharp and clear color image across the entire image plane. The result, a cell phone camera that can produce sharp clear photos, even in low light, and without flash. In perspective, sensitivity is twice as good as a digital still camera in low light. The fact that a flash never goes off enhances results.
TrueFocus technology does not aim to replace auto-focus. Instead, this
extended depth of field technology is aimed at extending the life of fixed focus camera solutions beyond 3 megapixels. OmniVision's solution is fast and in focus all of the time. The technology provides 'point-and shoot' capability so that the entire scene, from 20 cm to infinity, is always in focus, a benefit that is equally beneficial to video capture.
OmniVision is currently sampling the OV3642, with production volumes expected later this year. The company is demonstrating its technology this week at the Mobile World Congress in Booth IG13.
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