Aptina Introduces High-Speed, Broadcast Quality HD Video in New 8-Megapixel Smartphone and SportsCam Sensors

New Aptina 8MP image sensors are the first in a new family of products focused on video performance, readout speed and HDR excellence

Aptina launched two ultra-fast 8-megapixel (MP) image sensors for mobile devices and sports cameras. The AR0835 sensor meets the accelerating demand within the mobile devices market, and the AR0835HS takes on the challenging sports camera markets for very fast, high performing cameras with still and video capabilities.

The new high-speed sensors enable the full-width 16:9 HD video window to be readout at 60 fps without pixel binning or cropping the field-of-view. This 6-megapixel data stream oversamples the target image by 3x resulting in video as sharp as that of the high-end multi-sensor video cameras used in television studios. In addition, camera designers can take advantage of this speed to enable the capture of 6-megapixel still images without interrupting the video stream and with zero shutter lag.

"Aptina's advanced A-PixHS technology takes the 1.4-micron BSI pixel to the next level with a high speed architecture that provides uncompromised image quality and very fast frame rate video," said Roger Panicacci, VP of Product Development at Aptina. "The AR0835 and AR0835HS sensors incorporate sophisticated innovation for two smart imaging solutions."

The sensors' other features include high dynamic range capabilities for capturing natural high-range still and video scenes; on-chip binning to provide 720p120; an optional on-chip scaler to reduce data transmission rates to enable operation with a wide range of image coprocessors, and slow-motion playback. Unique to the AR0835 mobile sensor is pin-to-pin compatibility along with a shared lens and lens placement to accommodate standard modules with Aptina's 8MP AR0833. The video camera AR0835HS sensor uses a proprietary extremely fast (up to 32-lanes) HiSPi™ data interface while the AR0835 uses a 4-lane MIPI® interface.

Availability

The AR0835 is in mass production now. Available in both die form as a stand-alone sensor, and with Aptina's mobile imaging co-processor for a fully tuned, complete camera solution.

The AR0835HS is currently sampling in a new 10mm x 10mm CLCC package and will be available in mass production CY Q1 2013.