9-megapixel HD video image sensor from OmniVision targets camera sweet spot

SANTA CLARA, CA - OmniVision Technologies says their new 9 megapixel OV9810 image sensor is designed specifically to address the 'sweet spot' of both digital still camera (DSC) and high-definition (HD) camcorder market segments. The OV9810 combines 9 megapixel photography with 1080p HD video on a single chip, OmniVision says, eliminating the trade-offs between high quality still photography and high performance HD video. The OV9810 is also designed to address the convergence of digital still and HD video in emerging digicam applications.

According to independent market research firm TSR based in Japan, demand for CMOS image sensors in DSC and camcorders is expected to more than double between 2009 and 2012 as CMOS technology continues to equal or better CCD components, while offering additional benefits such as on-chip image processing, smaller profiles, lower system device count and lower cost.

"Today's announcement underscores OmniVision's commitment to delivering the industry's broadest range of high-performance, high resolution, feature-rich sensors," said Devang Patel, senior product marketing manager for DSC at OmniVision. "Popularized by online video sharing communities such as YouTube, video has revitalized the digital camera market segment and manufacturers are consistently looking to identify competitive solutions. Based on early access customer feedback, we expect the OV9810 to further our penetration in this growing emerging market."

"9 megapixels is the sweet spot for DSC in 2009," Patel added in a briefing. "Consumers want 1080p video, and CCD sensors can't do 1080p in a single chip, and they can't do the integrated processing."

Featuring OmniVision's high-sensitivity 1.75 micron OmniPixel3-HS architecture, the OV9810 delivers low-light sensitivity at 960mV/lux-sec, which the company says is significantly better than competing sensors. The OmniPixel3-HS architecture is OmniVision's most advanced generation of front side illumination (FSI) pixel architectures to date, providing enhanced image capture under very low lighting conditions. The low-power, high-performance OV9810 provides the full functionality of a single-chip camera in a small footprint package (10 X 10 mm). The 1/2.3-inch OV9810 is capable of operating at 8.9 frames per second (fps) in full 9 megapixel resolution, and offers true HD quality (1080p) video at 30 fps.

OmniVision Technologies OV9810 CMOS image sensor

The OV9810 is capable of providing various output formats over a digital video parallel (DVP) or serial MIPI port, controlled by an SCCB interface. The MIPI and DVP interfaces can also be used for a second camera. All required image processing functions, including exposure control, white balance, and defective pixel canceling, are programmable through the SCCB interface. OmniVision says the OV9810 also eliminates image contamination issues such as fixed pattern noise, smearing and blooming to produce a clean, stable and vivid color image.

Pricing and availability
The OV9810 is immediately available for customer sampling with volume production slated for the second half of calendar 2009. Pricing is under $10 in volumes of 100K.

For more info, visit www.ovt.com.