OmniVision Technologies launched the OV7670 CameraChip, a 1/6-inch VGA CMOS image sensor for mobile applications. With a pixel size reduced from 4.2 microns to 3.6 microns, the OV7670 uses a smaller optical format than its predecessor, the OV7660, which allows for reduction in module height. The OV7670’s LCD scaler, a new feature recently launched with the 1.3 megapixel OV9655 image sensor, allows handset makers to scale images to the exact size of LCD screens, eliminating the need for a separate backend DSP. The OV7670 employs OmniVision’s proprietary OmniPixel sensor architecture, which increases signal-to-noise ratio and delivers exceptional low-light performance.

The image sensor provides the full functionality of a single-chip VGA camera and image processor in a small footprint package (3.8mm x 4.2mm), which allows for a camera module size as small as 6mm x 6mm x 4.5mm. It provides full-frame, sub-sampled or windowed 8-bit images in a wide range of formats controlled through a serial camera control bus (SCCB) interface. All required image processing functions including exposure control, gamma, white balance, color saturation, hue control, white pixel canceling and noise canceling are programmable through the SCCB interface. The OV7670 comes in a lead-free package and is available now in volume production quantities.