8 Mpixel image sensor with high dynamic range optimized for harsh lighting conditions
The new AR0822 from onsemi produces excellent image quality in mixed dark and bright lighting thanks to embedded high dynamic range capability, while minimizing the burden on the host processor.
onsemi has announced the launch of the AR0822, an innovative RGB image sensor which offers the high dynamic range (HDR) and excellent near infrared (NIR) response necessary for use in harsh or uncontrolled lighting conditions.
The sensor’s low-power architecture and wake-on-motion feature enable designers to keep system power consumption to a minimum.
The AR0822 is an 8 Mpixel stacked 1/1.8 inch (8.81 mm diagonal) back-side illuminated CMOS digital image sensor based on a 2.0 µm pixel. Providing a rolling-shutter readout, the AR0822 features an active pixel array of 3,840 px (H) x 2,160 px (V), and produces 4K video at a rate of 60 frames/s.
The new onsemi sensor is intended for use in cameras that are required to operate in uncontrolled light conditions, and especially in scenes containing bright and dark regions. Many competing image sensors achieve HDR by using multi-exposure outputs, sending up to three images with different exposures to the image signal processor to be combined. This approach requires up to three times more system bandwidth and more expensive components, especially at high resolution. By taking an alternative approach enabled by its on-chip embedded HDR functionality, the AR0822 reduces system bandwidth and processor power while producing exceptional image quality.
The AR0822 also offers very low power consumption to save power in battery-powered and mobile applications. Most cameras save power by operating in low-power modes when the application is inactive, and resuming regular operation after detecting motion, a function that requires both the sensor and the host processor to be active.
The AR0822 is different: it can intelligently detect motion using its wake-on-motion function, which allows the host processor to enter a low-power standby mode until the sensor detects motion and triggers the processor to resume its active mode.