OmniVision announces ultra-compact 720p HD image sensor for next-gen mobile devices

SANTA CLARA, USA: OmniVision Technologies Inc., a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, introduced the OV9724,an ultra-compact, high-performance image sensor offering 720p high-definition (HD) video in an industry-leading miniaturized form factor.

Developed specifically for highly compact designs, the OV9724 CameraChip sensor leverages OmniVision's new 1.4-micron OmniBSI+ pixel to enable camera modules of less than 2.5 mm in height. This unprecedented combination of high performance and small form factor allows HD cameras to be integrated into ultra-slim, narrow-bezel devices, making it an attractive solution for next-generation smartphones, notebooks, tablets, portable gaming systems and other mobile devices.

Additionally, OmniVision introduced the OVM9724, which corresponds to the OV9724, packaged in OmniVision's proprietary CameraCube format. The OVM9724 offers an easy-to-integrate, cost-effective camera solution for even thinner bezel notebook and tablet designs.

"The OV9724 further establishes OmniVision's role in defining the future of mobile imaging," said Nick Nam, director of product marketing at OmniVision. "Enabled by our latest OmniBSI+ technology, the extremely small and low-power OV9724 allows manufacturers to integrate high-performance HD video into extremely slim devices at a highly competitive price point. It is also designed to satisfy all major industry standard performance and quality requirements currently prevailing in the market, offering customers an extensive range of options for use in advanced imaging systems."

The 1/9-inch OV9724 CameraChip sensor is built on OmniVision's powerful 1.4-micron OmniBSI+ pixel architecture, enabling 720p HD video capture at 30 frames per second (FPS) or cropped VGA at 60 FPS. It provides full-frame, sub-sampled or windowed 8- and 10-bit images. All required image processing functions, including exposure control and defective pixel cancelling are programmable through the serial camera control bus (SCCB) interface.

The OV9724 comes with a one-lane MIPI interface and fits into a 6 mm x 4.5 mm x 2.5 mm module size. It is currently available for sampling and is expected to go into volume production in the second quarter of 2012. The OVM9724 comes in a 4 mm x 3 mm x 2.5 mm CameraCube module and is expected to start sampling early in the second quarter of 2012.