OmniVision Partners, INOVA to Develop High-Performance Business Video Data Solution

OmniVision partnered with INOVA Semiconductors to launch the first APIX Link-based megapixel high dynamic range (HDR (News - Alert)) automotive camera system.

Connecting multiple OmniVision OV10630-based cameras to an automotive control unit, the system features a chipset based on INOVA's APIX Link data interface. With 360-degree view, object/pedestrian detection and other advanced features, high-performance, real-time data transfer is critical for the broad adoption of multi-camera driver assistance systems, the company stated in a press release.

OmniVision Technologies (News - Alert) (OVT) is a provider of CMOS imaging solutions to the automotive industry with over 50 percent market share and the company delivers innovative solutions specifically designed to serve the unique requirements of the automotive industry.

“Our new generation of automotive CMOS sensors enables high-quality imaging and sensing applications," said Dr. Mario Heid, automotive technical marketing manager at OmniVision, in a press release. "Our collaboration with INOVA focused on the development of optimized imaging and connectivity functions that allows driver assistance systems to take full advantage of the image quality and information content as made possible by the new generation of digital CMOS sensors such as OmniVision's new OV10630.”

The cameras can now transmit uncompressed video with full duplex communication over one simple cable in real time with the APIX Link camera system. While the cameras are continuously transmitting images over the link, this arrangement gives the central processing unit complete control over the cameras at all times, even between single frames. Using an 80 – 96 MHz output clock for its 8 – 10 bit wide digital video port, the OV10630 transmits high-quality, fully processed color HDR video data at 30 frames per second in megapixel resolution.

Recently, the company introduced a complete 5-megapixel system-on-a-chip camera solution which is aimed at penetrating the high-volume autofocus camera phone market. The new OV5640 is built on OmniVision's 1.4-micron OmniBSI backside illumination technology and offers a cost-effective, complete camera solution with excellent pixel performance for 5-megapixel photography and 720p or 1080p high-definition video in camera phones. It is easier to tune than two-chip solutions, the company claimed.