VD6725 Mobile Phone Camera Sensor - STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics (ST) announced its new VD6725 Mobile Phone Camera Sensor  for mobile applications. VD6725 is a 1/5-inch optical-format imaging sensor, with an active pixel array of 1600 x 1200 (UXGA), a high-performance image processor and camera control functions on a single chip. The VD6725 fits in phone camera modules smaller than 6 x 6 x 3.8 mm. Applications of this 2-megapixel camera sensor includes: mobile phones, pdas, pc cameras and peripherals, gaming platforms.

ST’s VD6725 Mobile Phone Camera Sensor

Features of  VD6725 mobile phone camera sensor:

• UXGA (2 megapixel) sensor array

• 1.75 μm pixel size, 1/5” optical format

• Selectable 8-bit parallel or CSI2 serial output

• SNR max > 36 dB

• 10-bit continuous-time single-end ADC

•  Integrated high-performance image signal processor and camera controller

  • 4-channel radial anti-vignetting
  • dynamic singlet/couplet correction
  • adaptive noise reduction
  • high-quality scaler: any size scaling down from SXGA
  • electronic zoom

• 15 frames per second (fps) at full resolution, 30 fps in VGA with fast context switching feature for quicker still image capture

• Programmable I2C chip address

• 1 Kbit OTP memory fully available to user

• Integrated 1.2 V regulator

• TSV (Through Silicon Via) wafer level package option

• Low power consumption and ultra-low standby current

Block Diagram of VD6725 Mobile Phone Camera Sensor

ST’s latest developments in pixel defect correction, sharpness and adaptive noise reduction enhancement ensure that the embedded Image Signal Processor delivers outstanding picture quality. Advanced anti-vignetting algorithms (balancing uneven illumination) and automatic white-balance control support excellent color rendition in varying light conditions. The camera sensor is also able to identify and neutralize dead pixels that fail to sense light levels correctly.

Embedded image processor of VD6725 Mobile Phone Camera Sensor enables the users to apply a wide range of special effects on snapshots, including flipped and mirror-reversed images or pure black-and-white conversion for whiteboard content capture, barcode reading and document extraction.

ST’s  VDA6725 single-chip camera sensor produces digital video streams at 15 frames per second (fps) at full UXGA resolution and 30 fps at VGA resolution. It supports fast context switching, which means that the sensor switches extremely fast from ‘preview’ to ‘capture mode’, minimizing the delay of the capture control.

ST’s TSV (Through Silicon Via) wafer-level package enables the production of re-flow-able camera modules. These are soldered directly on the phone motherboard, which saves cost, space and time compared with the process of fixing traditional camera modules in the board socket.

Samples and demo kits of VD6725 Mobile Phone Camera Sensor are available now. Volume production is scheduled for June 2008. Price: about $2 (depends on quantities and the production period)

More info : Mobile Phone Camera Sensor - STMicroelectronics