OmniVision introduces image sensors for high-volume IoT cameras

     OmniVision Technologies has announced the OS04C10, the best 2.0 micron pixel, 4 megapixel (MP) image sensor in its class for Internet of Things and home security cameras. When used with the designer's chosen platform, the OS04C10 enables system Ultra low power mode for AI-enabled battery-powered cameras. In addition, it delivers high resolution of 2688 x 1520 in a 16:9 aspect ratio, while adding premium near infrared (NIR) and ultra-low light, SNR1 performance from OmniVision's Nyxel® and PureCel®Plus technologies. The sensor also offers several high Dynamic range (HDR) options for capturing the highest quality 4MP still images and video of fast-moving objects at 60 frames per second.

     Ai-enabled IoT and home security cameras require excellent performance in all lighting conditions for accurate algorithmic detection of faces, license plates, and other items. In addition, these cameras are usually battery powered.

     Cheney Zhang, senior marketing manager, OmniVision Security, said: "The OS04C10 maintains the same high 4MP resolution as our popular OV4689 sensor, while adding improved NIR, ultra-low light and HDR performance to these IoT and home security cameras, as well as a new ultra-low power mode that uses 98.9% less power than the traditional OV4689 sensor." And in normal mode, extended battery life."

     By combining OmniVision's industry-leading NIRNyxel technology with its PureCel Plus technology and multiple HDR options, the OS04C10 works well in all lighting conditions. It can detect incident light at visible and NIR wavelengths while generating accurate color and monochromatic images for security applications.

     Nyxel technology provides OS04C10 with excellent quantum efficiency (QE), allowing it to see better and farther light at both 850 nm and 940 nm NIR wavelengths. Such an excellent QE can also use lower power IR lighting in complete darkness, which greatly reduces power consumption at the system level. In addition, 940 nm NIR lighting cannot be detected by the human eye in dark indoor environments, while 850 nm light is ideal for outdoor security cameras. The OS04C10's ability to capture crisp, using near-infrared light that detects less than 940 nanometers means that indoor security cameras do not disturb sleeping passengers and can easily hide clear images from intruders.

     The OS04C10 is also built on the PureCel Plus pixel architecture to achieve an excellent low-noise design, providing an SNR1 that is 150% better than OmniVision's previous generation OV4689 4MP mainstream security sensor. In addition, this new sensor provides excellent HDR through selective conversion gain, resulting in an optimal balance between low-light image quality and HDR, and has a 2-step interleaving HDR timing that minimizes artifacts. These features give designers maximum flexibility to choose the best HDR method for comparing light and dark areas in a given scene.