New OS02C10 Image Sensor from OmniVision Can Detect Incident Light in Both Visible and NIR Wavelengths

Press Release Summary:

The 2.9-micron OS02C10 Image sensor is embedded with Nyxel™ near-infrared (NIR) technology and produces precise color and monochrome images. The unit can capture clear images using undetectable 940 nm NIR light. The sensor features an SNR1 of 0.16 lux and produces 1080p high definition images. It achieves SNR1 of 23nw/cm² and 31nw/cm² at 850 nm and 940 nm respectively. The OS02C10 sensor’s ULL and NIR performance enable remote surveillance cameras with AI for an accurate facial recognition in all lighting conditions.


Original Press Release:

New OmniVision Image Sensor Combines Ultra Low Light and Nyxelâ„¢ Near-Infrared Technologies for Industry's Best Nighttime Camera Performance

Elevated ULL and NIR Performance, Along With High Resolution and Low Power Consumption, Enable Remote Surveillance Security Cameras With AI for Accurate Facial Recognition in All Lighting Conditions

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- OmniVision Technologies, Inc., a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, today announced the OS02C10, a 2.9-micron, 2-megapixel image sensor with breakthrough ultra-low-light (ULL) technology. Combining ULL with OmniVision's industry-leading Nyxel™ near-infrared (NIR) technology, the OS02C10 works equally well in all lighting conditions. It can detect incident light in both visible and NIR wavelengths and produce precise color and monochrome images for security applications.

Nxyel NIR technology infuses the OS02C10 with exceptional quantum efficiency (QE) of 60% at 850nm and 40% at 940nm, which is 2x to 4x better than competing devices. Such excellent QE enables the use of lower-power IR illumination in total darkness, resulting in an estimated 3x reduction in system-level power consumption. Additionally, 940nm NIR lighting cannot be detected by the human eye in dark indoor settings, while 850nm light is ideal for outdoor security cameras. The OS02C10's ability to capture crisp, clear images using undetectable 940nm NIR light means that indoor security cameras will not disturb sleeping occupants, and can be easily concealed from intruders.

The amount of NIR light that a sensor requires to capture high-quality images can be quantified with a new metric called NIR SNR1, which takes into account the QE, pixel size and read noise. The OC02C10 achieves an SNR1(850nm) of 23nw/cm² and an SNR1(940nm) of 31nw/cm², which are 2x to 4x smaller numbers compared with the leading competitors' sensors. For the designers of security cameras that operate in total darkness, this means they can reduce IR illumination to consume 2x to 4x less power compared to the competitors' sensors, for the same environment and over the same image-detection range.

"Surveillance cameras with AI functionality need the highest possible resolution in all lighting conditions for accurate facial recognition," said Brian Fang, business development director at OmniVision. "These next-generation, intelligent-sensing surveillance systems are being enabled by our new sensor's top imaging performance, with industry-best detection capabilities under both extremely low visible light and infrared light in complete darkness."

The OC02C10 has a superior low-noise design, achieving an SNR1 of 0.16 lux while producing high definition 1080p images. OmniVision's proprietary dual-conversion-gain technology allows this sensor to achieve the industry's best ULL performance, while the 3-frame staggered shutter minimizes motion artifacts and enables a high dynamic range (HDR) of 120 dB. Additionally, these technologies are easily upgradable to 2K and 4K resolution as security systems begin their transition to higher-quality displays.

The OS02C10 image sensor is available now in an extremely small package. For more information, product samples or a demonstration, please contact your OmniVision sales representative at sales@ovt.com.

About OmniVision
OmniVision Technologies, Inc. is a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions. Its award-winning CMOS imaging technology enables superior image quality in many of today's consumer and commercial applications, including mobile phones, notebooks, tablets and webcams, digital still and video cameras, security and surveillance, entertainment devices, automotive and medical imaging systems. Find out more at www.ovt.com.

CONTACT: Media Contact: Eric Lawson, Kiterocket, +1 480.276.9572, elawson@kiterocket.com, Company Contact: Mengxi Liu, OmniVision Technologies, Inc., +1 408.653.3484, mengxi.liu@ovt.com

Web Site: http://www.ovt.com

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