Hardcore | OmniVision Automotive Image Sensor Series Special Topic Launched

In 2022, the intelligentization of automobiles will accelerate. The in-vehicle cameras, known as the "eyes of intelligent driving", need to increase both "quantity" and "quality". Image sensors have become an important growth point in the automotive parts industry chain.

According to the latest forecast by Counterpoint, driven by the rapid growth trend of the automotive and other markets, the global image sensor (CIS) market revenue is expected to grow by 7% in 2022 to reach US$21.9 billion. Among them, OmniVision Group, one of the top three image sensor suppliers in the world, has a diversified product portfolio as its unique advantage and the automotive industry as its important growth engine, and its revenue is also expected to grow significantly in 2022.

OmniVision Group entered the automotive image sensor market as early as 2005. Over the past 17 years, it has witnessed and promoted the product development and technological innovation of automotive image sensors.

Important Milestones of Howe Automotive CIS

To empower the "eye of smart driving" and achieve a safe and intelligent driving experience, OmniVision Group has launched the "OmniVision Automotive Image Sensor Series", which will deeply analyze the image sensor automotive market from four perspectives: application, technology, product, and vehicle certification.

1. Three major applications

There are three common application scenarios for automotive cameras:

1) Machine Vision Sensing: Recognize clear images to make smart driving safer, including ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) and AD (Autonomous Driving)

2) Viewing: No blind spots, everything is within sight, including surround view, rear view, electronic rearview mirror, etc.

3) In-Cabin applications: driver monitoring, passenger monitoring

OmniVision Group has been working in the ADAS/AD field for a long time and is the first in the industry to launch the revolutionary product OX08B. In the field of human vision applications, it has a comprehensive leading position in 1-megapixel products and the most comprehensive solutions for 2-3-megapixel products. It also ranks first in the global market share in the field of in-cabin applications.

Based on OmniVision's rich experience in the automotive market, this special topic will provide you with a comprehensive analysis of the market, technology and products of three major applications, such as:

 ADAS market outlook

Current status and development trend of key image sensing technologies for machine vision

 Rear view should not be ignored: Parking and reversing are two of the top ten causes of car accident claims

The value of in-cabin cameras in achieving intelligent and safe driving of vehicles

In- cabin application automotive regulations solutions

2. Core Technology

Camera chip technology has high barriers and a strong process moat.

Automotive applications place more complex demands on CIS technology: on the one hand, the detection distance of the camera must be increased; on the other hand, complex environments such as rain and fog, low light/night, sunlight, and LED traffic lights as well as the need to identify pedestrians and vehicles place more stringent requirements on imaging technology.

Since 1995, OmniVision has led the advancement of image sensor technology in multiple markets, with more than 4,400 patents worldwide as of the end of 2021. In the field of automotive CIS, OmniVision has been deeply engaged in it for 17 years, leading the way with innovative technologies.

What OmniVision core technologies will be analyzed in this special topic? Let's take a look first:

1. HDR: Easy switching between light and dark scenes

A typical scene is when a car is exiting a tunnel, which requires the picture not to be overblown in bright sunlight but also to be able to see the state of the dark areas clearly.

2. LFM engine: not afraid of LED flickering, accurate signal capture

LED lights are everywhere in our daily lives. CIS needs to ensure that LED lights, such as traffic lights, can be captured in every frame to identify signals and control vehicle operation.

3. OmniBSI™: Capture details more sensitively

OmniBSI™ features backside illumination (BSI) to provide optimal sensitivity in the most demanding low-light conditions. OmniVision is the first company in the industry to commercialize BSI technology.

4. Breakthrough Nyxel® near-infrared technology: night vision is no longer pitch black

Automotive cameras need to be able to clearly identify the details of objects or pedestrians in the dark. OmniVision's unique Nyxel® and innovative second-generation Nyxel® near-infrared imaging technologies can significantly improve quantum efficiency and sensitivity to the near-infrared spectrum, making the sensor consume less energy, improving night vision, and capturing clearer images.

5. Global Shutter Technology: Accurate reproduction, no ghosting

The unique global shutter technology OmniPixel® 3-GS can accurately reproduce fast movements without any distortion. It has high sensitivity to near-infrared light and enables efficient driver status monitoring in low-light or no-light environments.

6. RGB-IR technology: Accurately identify the status of the driver and passengers

It can perform facial recognition and gesture monitoring while capturing images normally, which can be used for in-cabin driver or passenger monitoring, etc. OmniVision has launched the world's first commercial vehicle-mounted RGB-IR CIS product.

7. Automotive chip-scale packaging (a-CSP) technology: more space, more potential

Automotive chip-level a-CSP packaging technology can reduce the size of the camera, allowing it to be installed in a narrower space, realizing a compact and durable camera module, while saving design space and increasing design flexibility.

How to achieve wide dynamic range (HDR)? Currently, OmniVision products support the industry's highest 140dB HDR. How is it achieved? What kind of qualitative improvement will it bring to automotive imaging?

 What kind of changes has LFM technology undergone?

What challenges does low-light technology face?

How does OmniVision Nyxel® technology increase quantum efficiency to over 40%?

Why did OmniVision creatively introduce global shutter technology into automotive CIS? Why is global shutter more suitable for in-cabin driving applications than rolling shutter?

Howe Automotive's CIS series of topics will help you clear up your "blind spots"!

3. Two major automotive certifications: achieving true automotive reliability

Compared with the consumer end, the application of automotive image sensors pays more attention to safety and product reliability. It is generally believed that automotive-grade chips must be certified by the AEC-Q series and the functional safety standard ISO 26262.

Why is AEC-Q series certification the basic threshold for automotive-grade chips? Why is ISO 26262 the entry ticket for automotive supply chain manufacturers? As the only manufacturer in China that can mass-produce truly automotive-grade products that have passed the two major certifications, OmniVision will reveal the secrets for you in the automotive CIS series of special topics.

4. Latest products

OmniVision Group has more than 200 million automotive sensors in transit worldwide, covering all market segments and providing the most complete automotive solutions. Its downstream customers include mainstream car manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and GM, and it continues to lead the industry in launching revolutionary products:

- In 2019, OmniVision launched the world's first high-end 8-megapixel product for ADAS, the OX08B, which supports 140dB HDR

- Leading the industry in launching the automotive industry's first 5-megapixel RGB-IR BSI global shutter sensor OX05B1S for interior monitoring systems (IMS) in 2022

…

What value will these revolutionary products bring to the industry? What technological breakthroughs are behind them? What other innovative automotive-grade image sensor solutions does OmniVision have? The answers are all in OmniVision Automotive CIS series of topics.

Follow the official account of OmniVision Group, click "Technology" in the bottom menu bar or reply to the keyword "Automotive Special" in the official account to unlock it. The first issue of the special topic "ADAS Image Sensor Technology and Product Detailed Explanation" will be online soon, so stay tuned!