Power-Efficient OS08A Leverages PureCel® Technology with Advanced BSI to Deliver High-Resolution and Low-Light Sensitivity for Consumer and Industrial Use Cases
SANTA CLARA, Calif., — January 5, 2017— OMNIVISION Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of advanced digital imaging solutions, today announced from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) the introduction of the OS08A image sensor built on OMNIVISION’s advanced PureCel® technology. The OS08A’s PureCel® pixel architecture features next-generation backside illumination (BSI) technology for low-light sensitivity and high-resolution image and video capture, delivering true 4K2K video for a variety of applications, including: commercial surveillance, smart home and internet of things (IoT) cameras, drones, action cameras, and augmented reality/virtual reality(AR/VR) cameras. Additionally, OMNIVISION’s power-efficient OS08A represents the first implementation of OMNIVISION’s 8-megapixel PureCel® technology in security cameras, where wide-area coverage is utilized to identify individuals in detail.
“In the security market, surveillance capabilities have expanded far beyond simple image and video capture,” said Chris Yiu, senior marketing manager at OMNIVISION. “Our customers are looking for a high-quality imaging solution that delivers sufficient details to enable artificial intelligence and deep learning for facial recognition capabilities. The OS08A with PureCel® technology is designed to capture a level of detail that can enable such advanced features. In addition, high dynamic range (HDR) implemented in the OS08A greatly enhances its utility for surveillance applications under difficult, high-contrast lighting conditions.”
Security cameras connected via Wi-Fi often share bandwidth with other devices such as servers, computers, routers, televisions, and video-streaming devices. With video processors that support codec specifications for high-efficiency video coding (HEVC) becoming mainstream, 4K2K video output from 8-megapixel sensors can easily be compressed and streamed without crowding the bandwidth. Additionally, manufacturers and consumers are pushing for 4K video content to match display resolution, especially when the prices for 4K display televisions are dropping drastically. OMNIVISION’s OS08A image sensor was designed specifically to address these trends, providing both an increased number of pixels as well as advanced compression technology to accommodate 4K displays.
The OS08A leverages OMNIVISION’s PureCel® technology, achieving lower noise, better low-light sensitivity, and higher full-well capacity to further enhance sensor dynamic range, when compared with the first-generation BSI image sensor technology.
Product Specifications and Advanced Features
The OS08A’s low-power benefits make it a “green” alternative for commercial and home surveillance cameras while also extending battery life for drones and wireless devices. Other benefits include:
- Best-in-class, ultra-high definition (UHD) for smooth video: 4K2K at 60 frames per second (fps)
- 1080p video capture at 120 fps
- Low-light sensitivity for 24/7 video capture and night vision
- 12-degree chief ray angle (CRA)
- Staggered HDR and support for critical scene capture
- Chip scale package (CSP)
The OS08A is currently available for sampling and is expected to enter volume production in the second quarter of 2017.