NEW 1/4-INCH, 2-MEGAPIXEL SENSOR REDUCES AF MODULES BY 30 PERCENT
BARCELONA, Spain — February 13, 2006 — At the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OVTI), a world leading supplier of CMOS image sensors, today announced the world’s first ¼-inch, 2 megapixel CameraChip™ with fully integrated autofocus (AF) control on a single chip. The new OV2648 CameraChip™ is fully compliant with the Standard Mobile Imaging Architecture (SMIA), the industry standard introduced by Nokia and STMicroelectronics in January 2004.
The SMIA standard is an open standard for use by all companies making, buying or specifying miniature integrated camera modules for use in mobile applications. The main requirement is to be able to connect any SMIA-compliant sensor to any SMIA-compliant host system with matching capabilities and get a working system with acceptable performance.
SMIA compliant modules are traditionally targeted to a fixed focus lens design with no moving mechanical parts. SMIA does not, however, preclude the inclusion of variable focus lens configurations, such as macro or auto focus, within the outline dimensions. OmniVision is the first company to integrate AF functions on a SMIA sensor. By offering SMIA-compliant versions of its sensors, OmniVision expands its reach in the high-volume mobile handset market by opening its product portfolio to a broader customer base.
Due to OmniVision’s advanced system-on-chip technology, the company was able to integrate all AF functions on-chip. The AF control functions work with an integrated microcontroller that can directly control any kind of autofocus motors through its GPIO pads or serial bus. At only 10x10mm, autofocus camera modules based on the OV2648 are about 30% smaller than any competitive solutions available today.
“Being the first to offer this highly integrated AF solution to SMIA customers gives OmniVision a strong competitive edge,” said Jess Lee, Vice President of the Mainstream Products Business Unit at OmniVision. “It reinforces our commitment to drive trends in the mobile imaging and our goal to serve and support the broadest customer base.”
The OV2648 includes all the features enabled by the OmniPixel®2 architecture, which include high sensitivity, superior low-light performance and a very advanced image signal processor block (OmniQSP™). The advanced image signal processor block provides high-grade picture processing, and has features that are historically only found in digital still cameras.
The OV2648 is currently available for select customer sampling.
Safe-Harbor Language
Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the Company’s industry position, the performance, achievements and capabilities of OmniPixel®2 and the OV2648 CMOS image sensor, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties, which could cause the forward-looking statements and OmniVision’s results to differ materially, include, without limitation: potential errors, design flaws or other problems with OmniPixel®2 or the OV2648 CMOS image sensor; the rapid changes in technical requirements for camera phone products; competitive risks; as well as other risks detailed from time to time in OmniVision’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, OmniVision’s most recent annual report filed on Form 10-K and most recently filed report on 10-Q. OmniVision expressly disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.