OMNIVISION, a renowned global semiconductor solutions developer specializing in digital imaging, analog, and touch & display technology, has introduced two new additions to its Nyxel near-infrared (NIR) technology family. The company unveiled the OX02C1S, a 2.5-megapixel (MP) RGB-IR BSI global shutter (GS) sensor designed for in-cabin driver and occupant monitoring systems (DMS and OMS), and the OX01H1B, a 1.5MP mono (IR) GS sensor developed for driver monitoring systems (DMS).
Featuring a pixel size of only 2.2 microns (µm), both sensors offer remarkable industry-leading NIR quantum efficiency (QE) of 36%. This represents a significant improvement in modulation transfer function (MTF) compared to the previous 3.0 µm FSI GS pixel design. Moreover, the sensors boast incredibly low power consumption while delivering exceptional performance capabilities.
Paul Wu, automotive product marketing manager at OMNIVISION, highlighted the significance of these new offerings in the context of the automotive industry’s growing demand for advanced in-cabin sensing applications. Paul stated, “Our OX02C1S and OX01H1B sensors are the newest additions to our in-cabin solutions portfolio, with the same features as the 5MP OX05B1S GS sensor that we introduced during the Consumer Electronics Show in 2022. All three sensors share the same pixel technology, so it’s a seamless process for automotive OEMs to incorporate any combination of them as solutions in their full lineup, from high-end to mainstream vehicles.”
Colin Barnden, principal analyst at Semicast Research, emphasized the importance of meeting the diverse requirements of the automotive industry when it comes to image sensor technology for driver and occupant monitoring systems. Barnden noted that OMNIVISION’s new sensors cater to different market segments, including digital cockpits, automated driving, and NCAP/GSR compliance, providing automakers with comprehensive solutions.
Paul further elaborated on the benefits of the new sensors, explaining, “The OX02C1S is essentially a more economical and lower-resolution (2.5MP) version of the OX05B1S for DMS and OMS, while the OX01H1B is a flexible 1.5MP solution for DMS that offers the ideal price/performance for OEMs that need flexibility to place the DMS camera into different locations within the vehicle based on their unique interior design.”
Both the OX02C1S and OX01H1B sensors are compact and adhere to automotive-grade standards. They possess exceptional QE, ensuring excellent low-light performance. The sensors utilize OmniPixel4-GS technology, which enables simultaneous image detection in all pixels, delivering accurate representation of rapid motion without any deformation. They also incorporate ASIL-B and cybersecurity features that comply with the latest industry standards. Packaged in OMNIVISION stacked a-CSP (chip-scale package), these sensors offer higher-performance imaging capabilities even in tighter camera spaces. Additionally, they are available in a reconstructed wafer option, allowing designers the flexibility to customize their own package. The OX02C1S features a resolution of 2.5MP in a 1/3.55-inch optical format, while the OX01H1B offers a resolution of 1.5MP in a 1/4.51-inch optical format.
OMNIVISION’s latest additions to its automotive sensor lineup reaffirm the company’s commitment to providing automotive OEMs with versatile solutions to enhance driver and passenger safety. With their advanced features, compact design, and flexibility, the OX02C1S and OX01H1B sensors are poised to make significant contributions to the rapidly evolving in-cabin sensing market.
