OmniVision Technologies, a supplier of CMOS CameraChip solutions, announced that its OV7725 VGA CameraChip sensor for embedded notebook cameras is now shipping. The ¼-inch OV7725 is built with a 6x6 micron pixel to deliver the ultra-high light sensitivity required for the low light conditions in which most consumers use their notebook computers. The OV7725 is an integrated CMOS CameraChip sensor that provides the full functionality of a VGA camera and image processor on a single chip. A feature of the OV7725 is its high chief ray angle which allows for a reduction in module height, a critical element in building cameras that can fit in today’s thin notebook computers. The device is able to operate at 60 frames per second (fps) in VGA mode, or 120 fps in QVGA for optimal performance in PC multimedia and gaming applications. All required image processing functions including exposure control, gamma, white balance, color saturation and hue control can be programmed through the OV7725’s serial camera control bus (SCCB) interface. The OV7725 uses proprietary sensor technology to improve image quality by reducing or eliminating common lighting and electrical sources of image contamination such as fixed pattern noise, smearing and blooming to produce a crisp, clean and fully stable color image. The OV7725 comes in a lead-free, 28-pin CSP2 package and is currently available in volume quantities.