OmniVision introduces high-performance 40MP smartphone image sensor

     OmniVision has announced the OV40A, a 40MP, 1.0-micron pixel image sensor with ultra-high gain and noise reduction technology that delivers best-in-class low-light camera performance in 1/1.7-inch optical format. The sensor also offers several high dynamic range (HDR) options for the best quality still image and video capture. In addition, it has phase detection autofocus, which supports 1080p slow motion and high-speed video shooting at 240 frames per second (fps).

     James Liu, Advanced technology Market Manager at OmniVision, said: "TSR estimates that 855 million image sensors with a resolution of 40MP or higher will be delivered to smartphone manufacturers by 2021, which presents a tremendous opportunity for this new class of image sensors. The OV40A's unique combination of features brings flagship performance to the main, wide, ultra-wide Angle and cameras in this fast-growing market segment."

     The OV40A incorporates a wide range of industry-leading technologies to deliver best-in-class performance. It supports ultra-high gain of up to 256x and has embedded multi-sample denoising to enhance low-light performance. The sensor also provides excellent HDR with selective conversion gain to achieve the best balance between low-light image quality and HDR, as well as 2-exposure and 3-exposure interlocking HDR timing. These features give designers maximum flexibility to choose the best HDR method for comparing light and dark areas in a given scene.

     Built on OmniVision's PureCel® PlUSS-S stacked chip technology, the OV40A uses a 4-cell (4C) color filter array with on-chip remosaic capabilities to deliver high-quality 40MP Bayer output under normal lighting conditions. In low-light conditions, the sensor can output 10MP images as well as 4K2K video with four times the sensitivity, resulting in low-light performance equivalent to 2.0 micron pixels.

     In either case, the OV40A continuously captures the highest quality images by quickly switching to video modes with different resolutions. Output formats include: 40MP at 30 fps, 10MP with 4C split box at 120 fps, 4K2K video at 60 fps and 1080p video at 240 fps. All of these formats can be captured using phase detection autofocus. Other features include a CPHY interface, multi-position synchronization and a 34.7 degree main light Angle.