Even though VGA sensors are generally considered as best suited for the low-end and low-cost markets, OmniVision claims to have actually succeeded in the making of one that can be considered a high-end VGA product, namely the OV7727, a sensor with OmniBSI backside illumination technology meant for ultrathin notebooks.
Basically, the new sensor promises to enable thinner and better performing notebooks through such features as gamma correction, automatic white balance control, automatic exposure control and a serial peripheral interface.
Combined, these deliver low-light performance of 1,300 mV/lux-sec at video conference quality, all thanks to the 1.75-micron OmniBSI pixel.
Thus, it is possible to use the sensor in complete camera modules with Z-height as low as 2.2 mm, perfect for ultrathin laptops.
It also provides, over a parallel DVP interface or serial MIPI port, full frame, sub-sampled, windowed or scaled 8-bit/10-bit images in RAW RGB format
"VGA sensors are generally considered low-end and low-cost, but the OV7727 is quite the opposite in terms of performance,” said Nicholas Nam, senior product marketing manager at OmniVision.
“It is a very high-end VGA product, and currently the only sensor on the market that can meet the size, cost and performance requirements of the next generation high-end notebook market," he added.
"We listened to our customers and realized there was real demand for thinner yet better performing notebook cameras to facilitate the continued design shrink in the notebook market,” the senior product manager went on to saying.
To fill that need we used our most advanced pixel technologies to develop a product that underscores OmniVision's leadership in the digital imaging industry," Mr. Nam finished.
Other features of the VGA sensor include defect pixel correction and the ability to program all high-end image processing functions through the serial camera control bus interface.
Samples of the OmniVision OV7727 have already started to be shipped, mass-production being scheduled for September.
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