Image sensors upgrade handset photography

High-performance CMOS image sensors bring features normally associated with advanced digital stills cameras to the mobile phone camera market.

MagnaChip Semiconductor has released two new high-performance CMOS image sensors for the mobile phone camera market.

The MC521EA is a quarter-inch optical format 2Mpixel (1600 x 1200) CMOS sensor with integrated advanced image processing, one time programmable, nonvolatile memory enabling unique module serialisation and calibration, a MIPI (Mobile Industry Process Interface) port and GPIOs, which can be used to support autofocus, as well as other camera functions.

The MC521EA additionally features an onboard ARM7TDMI core that can be programmed with different algorithms for auto-function control.

The MC511EA is a fifth-inch optical format 1.3Mpixel (1280 x 1024) CMOS sensor that offers the same advanced image processing and control functions as the MC521EA and enables modules as small as 6 x 6 x 4mm.

This small form factor, together with support for a single 2.8V power supply and low power consumption allows OEMs to address the substantial market requirement for slim and low cost industrial designs.

Jason Hartlove, Senior Vice President of the Imaging Solutions Division said: "The EA series products feature our third generation image processing architecture, which includes positional lens vignetting correction, multi-zone evaluative automatic exposure control, noise adaptive edge enhancement and many other advanced features normally seen only in advanced digital still cameras".

"In addition, the low noise 12bit analogue to digital convertor architecture and excellent low light sensitivity make these products ideal for video applications and those requiring high quality imaging in low ambient light levels".

Sang Park, Chairman and CEO of MagnaChip, said: "The launch of this new generation of imaging solutions marks an important milestone in MagnaChip's recovery and return to growth".

"These products offer distinctive, market-leading features and address a critical, growing segment of the market".

"We expect these products to drive growth in our imaging solutions business in 2007 and beyond, and importantly, to continue to launch similar products with distinctive features targeted at high growth markets in our imaging and other businesses going forward".

Samples of both image sensors are now available.

The product is currently ramping to production.

MagnaChip has a complete suite of demonstration systems and reference designs to support OEMs and integrators during product development.

Additionally, the products will be showcased at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, Spain from 12th to 15th February 2007.

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