SUNNYVALE, Calif. — October 19, 1998 — OMNIVISION Technologies, Inc. today announced availability of the OV7600 (color) and OV7100 (B&W) Series, two new CMOS “Camera-on-a-Chip” image sensor chips with VGA resolution for real-time video applications.
The OV7600 and OV7100 Series are completely programmable digital imaging devices (single-chip camera) with image array size of 640 x 480 pixels (307K). These versatile devices can also provide output in a CIF-size picture format of 320 x 240 pixels (77K). Designed with square pixels and a progressive scan capability, the OV7600 and OV7100 Series sensor chips are specifically designed for computer-based applications. An on‑chip A/D converter provides digital output of 8‑bit or 16‑bit parallel digital data and is 100‑percent compliant with the CCIR601/656 specification.
The OV7600 and OV7100 Series sensor chips contain all the camera functions integrated into the same IC chip as the sensor array. Standard camera functions include Automatic Gain Control (AGC), Automatic Exposure Control (AEC), Automatic White Balance (AWB), Gamma Correction, Back Light Compensation and Automatic Black Level Calibration. The color cameras have all the color matrix processing on‑chip as well. These devices use I2C bus control to allow external programming of any or all of the camera functions.
“These two latest products, the OV7600 and OV7100 Series, represent the optimal low power, low-cost image sensor solutions for a variety of computer-based video applications”, said Bob Stroh, VP Sales and Marketing. “And when combined with a USB interface device, they create the perfect low-cost, high-quality USB camera for all kinds of video input applications for the PC.”
Other high volume applications include TV set-top boxes, picture phones, quality inspection, and smart security and surveillance systems.
CMOS image sensors have the inherent advantages of small size, light weight, low power consumption, high reliability and low cost. OMNIVISION’s proprietary technology results in CMOS image sensors that have a wide dynamic range with anti-blooming and virtually no smear.
“These VGA resolution image sensors, with their high quality images, are designed for mass market applications such as PC computers, PDAs and other hand-held devices, consumer products, security & surveillance and machine vision,” Stroh added.
The OV7600 Series is available for $19.00 in quantities of 10,000; the OV7100 Series is priced at $17.00 in quantities of 10,000.
About OMNIVISION Technologies
OMNIVISION Technologies, Inc., based in Sunnyvale, CA, in the heart of Silicon Valley, is a leading supplier of advanced, single-chip CMOS image sensors (“Camera-on-a-Chip”). OMNIVISION has developed extensive core technologies and designs and markets high quality CMOS image sensors for use by major OEMs that produce camera products and video imaging systems. OMNIVISION Technologies has its headquarters at 930 Thompson Place, Sunnyvale, CA 94024; Tel: 408-733-3030; Fax: 408-733-3061; http://www.ovt.com.