OmniVision introduces the industry's leading automotive image signal processor

     OmniVision Technologies announced the OAX4010 Automotive image Signal Processor (ISP) at AutoSens in Detroit, featuring the latest HDR and LFM engine (HALE) algorithm combination. Equipped with Howe's proven and widely used OX01A10 and OX02A10 LFM image sensors, the OAX4010 provides both industry-leading LFM and HDR to help automotive imaging systems make intelligent decisions and operate properly over the entire vehicle temperature range. In addition, the OAX4010 can process images up to 60fps on a single machine or 30fps on a dual machine, reducing the number of ISPs required for a panoramic View system (SVS) camera by 50%.

     "As automotive cameras continue to transition from SoCs to independent ISPs, these systems are increasingly adopting ADAS requirements, such as LFM and HDR," said Pierre Cambou, principal image analyst at Yole Developpement (Yole). "The ability to provide state-of-the-art companion ISPs is becoming a key technical requirement for image sensor suppliers from automakers and Tier 1 suppliers as they master numerous new features such as parking assistance and electronic rearview mirrors. OmniVision is a core force in the field and is effectively pushing the technology forward."

     Previously, designers using other products had to choose between flicker suppression or dynamic range, especially when the ambient temperature of the car is higher than 80 degrees Celsius, and the image quality is often greatly reduced. Today, designers can use the OAX4010 with the Advanced Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) to provide drivers with additional detail in bright and dark driving scenarios while eliminating LED flickering to further improve safety.

     The OAX4010 can be used in a variety of automotive imaging applications, such as rear-view cameras, electronic rear-view mirrors, and SVS circumnavigation systems. Because applications such as electronic rearview mirrors typically operate continuously under extreme temperature conditions, the ability of such products to deliver LFM and HDR at high temperatures is important. The OAX4010 can also be used to overlay real-time images on emerging AR camera systems and GPS navigation displays, which require flicker-free and accurate capture of LED traffic signs and signals.

     "With our ISP's proprietary HALE combination algorithm, car designers can have the best of both worlds, creating a flicker-free camera system while achieving full dynamic range," said Andy Hanvey, Director of Automotive marketing at Howe Technologies. "LFM and HDR can be optimized together to give drivers a better panoramic view."

     When the OAX4010 is paired with Howe Technologies' OX01A10 and OX02A10, the industry's only production-ready chip-scale LFM image sensors, this combination provides the industry's most compact solution with minimal camera footprint. In addition, the new ISP is peer-to-peer compatible with Howe's previous generation ISP, providing an easy update path that can help customers bring products with LFM and HDR performance to market faster.

     The OAX4010 combines industry-leading LFM and HDR to assist automotive Tier 1 supply manufacturers in designing cameras that can be used in both SVS and electronic rearview mirrors. Deploy a single camera platform across multiple CMS applications for maximum scale benefits.