Color Sensor Delivers High Dynamic Range

Described as an affordable single-chip, high-performance camera sensor for mass-market applications, the OV10620 debuts as the company's first color, high dynamic range (HDR) CMOS image sensor. Proprietary color HDR technology allows the chip to function like the human eye under quickly changing light conditions. It switches to HDR mode under extreme variations of brightness and darkness and automatically switches back to non-HDR mode when conditions normalize. The sensor specifies a spectral light sensitivity up to 1,000 nm and a 6 µm x 6 µm pixel size. It comes in a wide VGA (768 x 492) and a VGA (640 x 480) image array operating at 30 fps at full resolution and 60 fps at QVGA (320 x 240) resolution. It also offers YUV or RGB raw output and is capable of performing at a dynamic range up to 110 dB in either color or black and white. Operating temperature range is from -40°C to +105°C. The OV10620 comes in standard QFPs, CLCCs, and CSPs and is slated for production in the third quarter. OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES INC., Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 542-3000.