Omnivision launches wafer-level camera module for driver monitoring

03 Jun 2020

Reflowable CameraCubeChip™ performs well in darkness; could make the technology more affordable, says developer.

OmniVision Technologies, a developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, today announced the OVM9284 CameraCubeChip™ module — described as “the world’s first automotive-grade, wafer-level camera.”

The 1MP module measures 6.5 x 6.5 mm to provide driver monitoring system designers with flexibility on placement within the vehicle cabin. Additionally, says OVT, “it has the lowest power consumption among automotive camera modules, which enables it to run continuously at the lowest possible temperatures for maximum image quality.”

The OVM9284 is based on OmniVision’s OmniPixel®3-GS global-shutter pixel architecture, which OVT claims provides “best-in-class” quantum efficiency at the 940 nm wavelength for high quality driver images in darkness. The integrated OmniVision image sensor has a 3µm pixel and a 6.35mm (1/4in) optical format, along with 1280 x 800 resolution.

‘Next growth sector’

Pierre Cambou, Principal Analyst, Imaging, from market analysis firm Yole Développement, commented, “The accelerated market drive for driver monitoring systems is expected to generate a 43% CAGR between 2019 and 2025. DMS is probably the next growth story for ADAS cameras as driver distraction is becoming a major issue and has brought regulator attention.”

“Most existing DMS cameras use glass lenses, which are large and difficult to hide from drivers to avoid distraction, and are too expensive for most car models,” commented Aaron Chiang, marketing director at OmniVision. “Our OVM9284 chip module is the world’s first to provide automotive designers with the small size, low power consumption and reflowable form factor of wafer-level optics.”

Unlike traditional cameras, all CameraCubeChip modules are reflowable. This means they can be mounted to a printed circuit board simultaneously with other components using automated surface-mount assembly equipment, which cuts assembly costs. OVM9284 module samples are available now, and mass production is expected in Q4 of 2020.

• OmniVision has also simultaneously launched an image sensor for automotive viewing cameras with 140 dB HDR and LED flicker mitigation.

The OX03C10ASIL-C automotive image sensor combines a large 3.0µm pixel size with a high dynamic range of 140 dB for viewing applications with minimized motion artifacts. OVT says this is also the first viewing image sensor with HDR and LFM that can deliver 1920 x 1280p resolution at the highest rate of 60 frames per second.

“The OX03C10 uses OVT’s Deep Well™, dual conversion gain technology to provide significantly lower motion artifacts than the competing sensors that offer 140 dB HDR,” commented Kavitha Ramane, staff automotive product marketing manager at OmniVision. The new sensor is planned to be AEC-Q100 Grade 2 certified, and is available in both a-CSP™ and a-BGA™ packages.