US : OmniVision Technologies has begun volume shipments of its recently introduced OV6680 high-performance Square Graphics Array(TM) (SGA) camera chip sensor.

Inset is the OV6680.

With its unique 400 x 400 array, the new OV6680 is intended primarily for use in secondary cameras for the fast-growing 3G video phone market, which market analysts predict will see very significant growth over the next couple of years. OmniVision has secured multiple design wins for the OV6680 in 3G handsets and is now shipping in volume to several customers

"Moving the OV6680 into volume production and shipments reinforces OmniVision's solid product offering for the 3G market, bringing outstanding low light sensitivity to a sensor designed to meet the small form factor requirements of our handset customers," said James He, Chief Operating Officer at OmniVision. "The small form factor design combined with excellent camera performance and image quality makes the OV6880 especially attractive both for secondary cameras in 3G handsets and for entry-level, ultra-thin camera phone designs."

Utilizing a 3.6 micron pixel with OmniPixel2(TM) technology, the OV6680 combines superior low-light performance and image quality with a compact module design (5 x 5 x 3.0mm) to provide reliable, cost- effective camera solutions. Low light performance is especially critical in video conferencing applications because LCD screens rarely emit enough light (~5 lux) to compensate for the lighting conditions of most indoor environments.

The OV6680 is available in a lead-free CSP2 package.