Image sensor offers 100% phase detection coverage

OmniVision Technologies, Inc. has unveiled is first image sensor with 100% phase detection coverage, thanks to its quad phase detection (QPD) autofocus technology. The OV50A image sensor features a 50-megapixel (MP) resolution, 1.0 micron pixel size, selective conversion gain, and a 1/1.5”optical format with QPD and on-chip remosaic.

The QPD technology enables 2×2 phase detection autofocus (PDAF) across the sensor’s entire image array, for 100% coverage, said OmniVision, in comparison to microlens and half-shield PDAF technologies, which only capture 3-6% of the phase detection data. QPD provides improved distance calculation, faster autofocus, and better low-light performance, and when combined with the on-chip remosaic for the QPD color filter array, it delivers premium image quality for the wide and ultra-wide main cameras in high-end smartphones, added the company.

The better low-light performance is thanks to the combination of a large 1.0 micron pixel size, selective conversion gain’s low-noise, high conversion gain mode, and large 1/1.5”optical format. In addition, high dynamic range (HDR) is delivered through 2- and 3-exposure staggered HDR timing, along with selective conversion gain, for an optimized balance between low-light image quality and HDR.

The OV50A, built on the company’s PureCel Plus-S stacked die technology, offers 50-MP Bayer output, or 8K video, in real time. It can also use near-pixel binning to output a 12.5-MP image for 4K2K video with four times the sensitivity, resulting in 2.0 micron-equivalent performance for preview and video, according to the company.

Output formats include 50 MP, or 8K video, with QPD autofocus at 30 frames per second (fps), 12.5 MP with QPD autofocus at 60 fps, 4K2K video with QPD autofocus at 90 fps, 1080p at 240 fps and 720p at 480 fps. All options can be output at up to 3.5 Gsps per trio, over the sensor’s CPHY MIPI interface. OV50A samples are expected in Q2 2021.

OmniVision also recently released the OV32B image sensor that adds high resolution to front-facing selfie cameras in a limited space as well as rear-facing telephoto smartphone cameras.