Proximity sensors enable better smartphone pictures

8th September 2015

Jordan Mulcare

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STMicroelectronics has announced that its advanced motion and proximity sensors have been integrated in the OnePlus 2, the latest smartphone from a leading Chinese mobile maker. The 2015 flagship model, OnePlus 2, relies on ST sensors for its superior camera system performance that includes an ultra-fast 0.2s 'human-eye' -grade focus time and advanced optical anti-shake technology that delivers a 20% improvement in effective image resolution, as well as a 55% reduction in power consumption compared with standard optical anti-shake mobile-camera systems.

ST's L2G2IS gyroscope powers the optical image stabilisation in the OnePlus 2, improving sharpness in low-light pictures and removing shake from mobile videos. The two-axis MEMS gyro integrates a special sensing element that provides the measured angular rate to the camera through a digital interface.

Offering unprecedented accuracy and reliability in calculating the distance between the smartphone and the object, ST's VL6180 proximity sensor enhances the camera's auto-focus performance in the OnePlus 2. Housed in a simple compact package, the VL6180 uses ST's innovative FlightSense optical-sensing technology to accelerate auto-focus time and improve picture quality, especially in macro mode and low-ambient-light environments.

Enabling the 360° camera feature and improving gesture control and mobile-gaming experience for OnePlus 2 users, ST also provides a sensor system-in-package (LSM330) consisting of a 3D digital accelerometer with two programmable embedded state machines and a 3D digital gyroscope. The sensor combo has a selectable full-scale acceleration range up to ±16g and an angular-rate range up to ±2000dps.

"The increasing penetration of advanced sensor-based features in smartphones at all price points drives the demand for MEMS and Sensor devices in fast-developing markets, like China's," said Collins Wu, Director, Analog, MEMS and Sensors Group, Greater China and South Asia Region, STMicroelectronics.

"Successful cooperation with innovative local smartphone makers like OnePlus confirms the strengths of ST's IoT portfolio and our enabling role in bringing augmented mobile experiences to users worldwide."

"Working with innovative and technology-driven global players such as ST, the world's leading supplier of MEMS and Time-of-Flight ranging sensors for consumer and mobile applications, has enabled us to deliver a high-performance smartphone that satisfies the expectations of OnePlus customers worldwide," said Oliver Zhang, Product Director, OnePlus.