In an exclusive interview with TimesTech, Puneet Pahwa, Sales Manager India at OMNIVISION Technologies, sheds light on the company’s remarkable journey and its pivotal role in revolutionizing digital imaging and sensor technology across diverse industries, from automotive to security and beyond.
Read full interview here:
TimesTech: Can you tell us more about OMNIVISION’s journey since its founding in 1995 and how it has evolved in the semiconductor industry?
Mr. Puneet: OMNIVISION is a global fabless semiconductor organization that develops advanced digital imaging, analog, and touch & display solutions for multiple applications and industries. Its award-winning, innovative technologies enable a smoother human/machine interface in many of today’s commercial devices. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, OMNIVISION has 30+ offices in the US, Western Europe and Asia. It has a total of 10 R&D centers throughout Norway, Belgium, Japan, Singapore, China and the US.
TimesTech: OMNIVISION has a diverse range of solutions for various industries. Could you highlight some key segments where OMNIVISION’s technology plays a significant role?
Mr. Puneet: OMNIVISION recognizes that every end market has application-specific requirements that cannot be addressed by a one-size-fits-all solution. With dedicated product development teams working closely with supply chain partners and customers, OMNIVISION is able to deliver a wide variety of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor technologies uniquely suited for each target marketplace. These include mobile phones, security, automotive, computing, medical and emerging applications.
Some of our key technologies include:
OmniPixel3-HS – OMNIVISION’s front-side illumination (FSI) technology is used to manufacture compact cameras in mobile handsets, notebook computers and other applications that require low-light performance without the need for flash. OmniPixel3-GS expands on its predecessor and is used for eye tracking for facial authentication and other computer vision applications.
RGB-Ir technology – RGB-Ir technology uses a color filter process to improve color fidelity. By committing 25% of its pixel array pattern to infrared (IR) and 75% to RGB, it can simultaneously capture both RGB and IR images. This makes it possible to capture both day and night images with the same sensor. It is used for battery-powered home security cameras as well as biometric authentication, such as gesture and facial recognition.
PureCel technologies – OMNIVISION developed its PureCel and PureCelPlus image sensor technology to provide added camera functionality to smartphones and action cameras. The technical goal was to provide smaller camera modules that enable larger optical formats and offer improved image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Both of these technologies are offered in a stacked die format (PureCel-S and PureCelPlus-S). In PureCelPlus Gen 2, OMNIVISION set out to improve deep trench isolation (DTI) for better pixel isolation and low-light performance. Its target application is smartphone video cameras.
DCG HDR technology – OMNIVISION developed its DCG technology to extend an image sensor’s dynamic range and enable accurate scene reproduction in challenging lighting conditions. It uses dual sampling of the photo-generated charge, with both pixel level high and low conversion gains. High conversion gain readout enables lower read noise, and lower conversion gain enables higher full well capacity. This extends the low-light range of the image sensor, delivering accurate low-noise and motion-artifact-free HDR (high dynamic range) captures. DCG HDR technology is applied to automotive and mobile applications.
NyxelNIR technology – Developed to address the low-light and night-vision performance requirements of advanced machine vision, surveillance and automotive camera applications, OMNIVISION’s Nyxel NIR (near-infrared) imaging technology combines thick-silicon pixel architectures and careful management of the wafer surface texture to improve quantum efficiency (QE). In addition, extended deep trench isolation helps retain modulation transfer function without affecting the sensor’s dark current, further improving night-vision capabilities. Performance improvements include image quality, extended image-detection range and a reduced light-source requirement, leading to overall lower system power consumption.
LED flicker mitigation and HDR – High-dynamic-range (HDR) imaging relies on algorithms to combine several image captures into one to create a higher-quality image than native capture alone. LED lighting can create a flicker effect with HDR. This is a problem for machine vision systems, such as those used in autonomous vehicles. That is because LEDs are ubiquitous in automotive environments, from headlights to traffic lights, road signs and beyond. While the human eye can adapt to LED flickering, machine vision cannot. To mitigate this effect, OMNIVISION has launched its new TheiaCel technology that eliminates LED flicker.
TimesTech: In the field of electronics, on what specific segments or areas is OMNIVISION currently focusing for innovation and growth?
Mr. Puneet: OMNIVISION has made great progress in transforming technology in all of the markets it serves. Each market has a unique set of requirements and challenges, and we are always on a continual path to innovation in all key markets we serve.
For example, OMNIVISION holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s smallest image sensor for the medical industry, enabling small, cost-effective, high-resolution endoscope solutions.
TimesTech: The automotive industry is rapidly evolving. What are the key trends and technologies OMNIVISION is addressing to meet the changing needs of this sector?
Mr. Puneet: As discussed previously for question 2, in the automotive market, flicker from LED traffic lights poses a serious challenge for imaging solutions, preventing advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) and automated driving (AD) systems from correctly detecting lighted traffic signs. The industry has been clamoring for a solution that could be easily integrated into a CMOS image sensor to meet this challenge. Some previous approaches, while achieving satisfactory LED flicker mitigation (LFM), have resulted in reduced image quality, especially at high automotive temperatures.
OMNIVISION’s new 2.1µm single-pixel TheiaCel technology delivers high LFM without sacrificing image quality. TheiaCel leverages next-generation LOFIC capabilities together with the proven strength of OMNIVISION’s proprietary HDR technology (patented DCG and split-diode technology), which captures extremely high-contrast scenes for optimum content and image quality. OMNIVISION’s TheiaCel DCG + LOFIC solution achieves a wider dynamic range than earlier single-exposure HDR architectures.
At AutoSens Brussels in September, we launched the first image sensor that is based on TheiaCel technology, the OX08D10. It features industry-leading low-light performance and low power consumption in a compact size that is 50% smaller than other exterior cabin sensors in its class.
TimesTech: Security and surveillance are critical concerns today. What are the latest trends and advancements OMNIVISION is contributing to in this field?
Mr. Puneet: Customers need high-performing security cameras that produce sharp, high-resolution images with low power consumption for extended battery life. Always-on with its low-power capability is a key feature for image sensors in security and surveillance cameras. OMNIVISION is addressing these requirements with a broad product portfolio from 720p to 12M resolution high-performance, cost-effective image sensors for home and professional security cameras.
TimesTech: Can you share some insights into OMNIVISION’s engagement with customers in India and how it supports the Indian market?
Mr. Puneet: OMNIVISION India is working closely with large emerging segments like mobile, automotive, surveillance and medical. We’ve been empowering customers in India with the latest products and solutions to keep them abreast with technology. In addition to local engineering support for design and development, we have a camera testing and tuning lab in Bangalore to support domestic partners.
TimesTech: Looking ahead, what are OMNIVISION’s plans and goals for the future, especially in terms of technological advancements and industry partnerships?
Mr. Puneet: For automotive, our focus is on continuing advancements in camera technology both outside and inside the automobile. ADAS and AD are pushing technology forward, and our image sensors are key to enabling further advancement in this area.
For example, for L4 level autonomy, front-sensing cameras need to perform well in challenging circumstances. High dynamic range (HDR) is required, especially to limit flicker with LED-based traffic lights and signs, and in low-light environments, such as on the highway at night or in poor weather conditions. Otherwise, there will be too many limitations and human override will happen too often, which makes L4 only a name and not true autonomy.
