OmniVision introduces 2.9 micron image sensor

     OmniVision introduces the 2.9 micron OS04A10 image sensor, increasing the resolution of its sensor family using industry-leading Nyxel® Near infrared (NIR) and ultra-low light technology to 4 megapixels. The OS04A10 provides improved object recognition and facial recognition accuracy for AI-enabled surveillance systems, and can provide a larger zoom range for security surveillance cameras. At the same time, the OS04A10 performs color and black and white imaging more accurately in the visible and near-infrared incident spectra, ensuring the industry's best day and night imaging performance.

     "In addition to demanding optimal performance in all lighting conditions, security camera designers also require higher resolution for greater facial recognition accuracy and longer zoom range," said Brian Fang, director of commercial development at OmniVision. "By combining industry-leading NIR and ultra-low light imaging technology with 4 MP resolution, the OS04A10 can meet the changing needs of surveillance systems."

     OmniVision's Nyxel NIR technology gives the OS04A10 an excellent quantum efficiency (QE) of 60 percent at 850nm and 40 percent at 940nm, three to five times better than sensors without the technology. This excellent QE enables the use of low-power infrared lighting in completely dark environments, thereby reducing system power consumption by about 3 times. In a dark indoor environment, the human eye cannot see 940nm near-infrared light, and 850nm light is ideal for outdoor security surveillance cameras. OS04A10 uses 940nm near-infrared light invisible to the human eye to capture clear images, so that indoor security cameras do not interfere with sleeping occupants, while easily avoiding detection by intruders.

     The amount of near-infrared light needed by the sensor to capture high-quality images can be quantified using a new metric called NIR SNR1, which takes into account parameters such as QE, pixel size, and noise. The OS04A10 features industry-leading SNR1850nm and SNR1940nm performance, which improves performance by a factor of two to three compared to key competitors' sensors. This means that the OS04A10 in the same environment and the same image detection range can help security camera designers reduce infrared lighting in dark conditions, reducing power consumption by two to four times compared to competitors.

     The OS04A10 can record 4 MP, 1080p video and images while achieving the industry's lowest SNR1. In addition, OmniVision's dual-conversion gain technology provides the industry's best ULL and HDR performance, while being flexible with image signal processors. The product's 3-frame interleaving shutter also minimizes motion artifacts and achieves 120 dB HDR.

     The image sensor packs large 2.9 micron pixels in an ultra-small package, a combination achieved using OmniVision's PureCel®-S chip stacking technology, which split the imaging array and processing functions into two layers for additional functionality with a smaller chip size. PureCel-S technology also reduces power consumption, allowing for greater design flexibility while making the camera module smaller.