Samsung Electronics has increased the degree of integration in CMOS image sensor design for mobile phones with a system-on-chip sensor with on-chip signal processing.
It has also introduced a 5Mpixel sensor with an extended depth of field (EDoF) capability.
Samsung's S5K5CA is a 1/5-inch, 1.4µm, 3Mpixel imager with its own image signal processor (ISP).
According to Samsung, this reduces the overall module size by 25% over its preceding 3Mpixel SoC imager.
The embedded image processor carries out functions such as 720 progressive high definition (HD) video.
A JPEG rotation feature is designed to reduce frame buffer memory needed to rotate images, users can save JPEG runtime up to two seconds.
“The S5K5CA also offers a 10% improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for better colour precision,” said Samsung.
The S5K4E2 imager is a 1/4-inch, 1.4µm, 5Mpixel chip with an extended depth of field capability that enables in-focus range from 15cm to infinity.
Samsung's S5K4E2 is currently sampling and will be in mass production by the end of the first quarter 2010.
The S5K5CA is in volume production for products due on the market expected later in 2010.