OMNIVISION’s Newest Pixel Architecture Brings Exceptional Low-Light Performance and Increased Dynamic Range to Advanced Imaging Applications

BEIJING, China — November 8, 2016 — OMNIVISION Technologies, Inc., a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, today introduced its latest advancement in leading-edge pixel technologies: second-generation PureCel®Plus and PureCel®Plus‑S. In keeping with OMNIVISION’s tradition of delivering industry-leading image sensors, the second-generation PureCel®Plus technology offers significant improvements over the previous generation, such as higher full-well capacity (FWC), better sensitivity, increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and enhanced low-light performance. Though the initial development was focused on supporting small-pixel products for mobile applications, this technology will ultimately benefit many other image sensor applications. 

OMNIVISION’s second-generation PureCel®Plus technology showcases various performance improvements, including:

• 20 percent increase in FWC, enabling higher dynamic range.
• A newly introduced composite metal grid (CMG) structure, which increases pixel quantum efficiency and enhances sensor low-light performance, leading to a 12.5 percent improvement in sensitivity.
• Improved deep trench isolation (DTI) structure, which further reduces color crosstalk and improves the SNR10 (low-light performance index) number by 10 lux.
• These structure improvements also enable small-pixel sensors to have better tolerance to incident light angles. This in turn allows imaging systems to use lower F‑number lenses for better brightness, and to realize lower module heights that are essential for slimmer phone designs.

“Maintaining good image quality and sensor performance for small pixels in low-light conditions has always been a challenge in the digital imaging space. OMNIVISION has delivered increasing engineering advances over the years to address this market need,” said Dr. Song Xue, senior manager of sensor technology at OMNIVISION. “Our second-generation PureCel®Plus technology enables our end users to capture high-quality, high-resolution photos, even in challenging lighting environments.”

OMNIVISION’s second-generation PureCel®Plus-S technology will empower new families of compact 20‑megapixel and 16‑megapixel sensors. The 20‑megapixel OV20880 and OV20880‑4C and the 16‑megapixel OV16885 and OV16885‑4C are designed to deliver high-resolution images to high-end smartphones across a variety of lighting conditions.

The OV20880, OV20880‑4C, OV16885 and the OV16885‑4C are currently available for sampling and are expected to enter volume production in the first quarter of 2017.