Omnivision launches high-performance OMNIBSI-2 image sensor for video-centric smartphones

“With the rise of video-centric smartphones, we have experienced a steep ramp in 5-megapixel sensor
demand in the past 18 months, and we are continuing to see strong growth forecasts into 2012, and
reports are projecting 5-megapixel production to nearly double within the next three years as smartphones have now overtaken feature phones in the US market,” commented Vinoo Margasahayam, product marketing manager at OmniVision. “The OV5680 is designed to meet and exceed the expectations of this highly video-centric market, bridging the quality and performance gaps between mobile phone cameras and dedicated digital video cameras.”

Utilizing an integrated scaler, the 1/3.2-inch OV5680 offers 1080p HD video capture at 30 frames per
second (FPS) for continuous shooting and shutter-less designs without any lag. The scaler enables
electronic image stabilization, while maintaining full field of view in 1080p HD video mode. The sensor’s
2 x 2 binning functionality with post-binning re-sampling filter enables 720p video capture at 60 FPS,
minimizes spatial artifacts and removes image artifacts around edges. Its advanced features allow the
OV5680 to deliver clean and crisp color images for best-in-class HD video. Additionally, the OV5680
can synchronize exposure and frame for stereo cameras to meet 3D video capture requirements.

The OV5680’s new 1.75-micron OmniBSI-2 pixel is built using a 300 mm copper process with 65 nm
design rules, offering optimized die size, lower power consumption, and significant performance and
image quality improvements over the first generation OmniBSI™ pixel. These include a 20 percent
improvement in peak quantum efficiency, 20 percent improvement in low-light performance and a
50 percent increase in full-well capacity.

The OV5680 comes with a standard 2-lane MIPI interface and fits into the industry standard 8.5 x 8.5 x 6 mm module. It is now available for sampling, with mass production expected for the first half of 2012.