OmniVision Technologies, Inc. announced the OV16A, an affordable 16-megapixel image sensor that enables smartphone cameras to capture higher quality photos. This versatile image sensor, built on OmniVision’s PureCel Plus 1.0 micron advanced pixel architecture, enables better autofocus for mainstream smartphones. Yole Developpement predicts that, on average, there will be three cameras per smartphone by 2022. […]
Consumer Electronics
Economical image sensor provides 16-MP upgrade for rear/front smartphone cameras
OmniVision Technologies, Inc. announced the OV13B image sensor—the latest addition to the company’s 13-Megapixel (MP) sensor family in a 1/3-inch optical format and featuring OmniVision’s 1.12-micron PureCel Plus pixel technology. This sensor is specifically designed for the enormous mainstream and entry-level smartphone markets, providing a compelling solution for rear- or front-facing cameras. “The market for […]
Lidar-on-a-chip works at 1,550 nm
SiLC Technologies, Inc. announced an integrated 1550nm FMCW LiDAR on a chip. Utilizing frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technology at 1550nm wavelength, SiLC’s Vision Sensor represents the future of LiDAR in which safety, performance and range dramatically increase, while full integration enables a low-cost, low power, and compact footprint. SiLC’s silicon-based integration platform will transform […]
Development kit enables engineers to build voice interface
XMOS has jointly developed a new voice interface development kit, “codama”, with Yukai Engineering and NTT DOCOMO. The “codama” voice interface development kit includes the XMOS VocalFusion XVF3100 voice processor; it enables AI engineers and developers to build a voice interface with NTT DOCOMO “AI Agent API” into their products. This technology brings people the freedom […]
World’s first 7 nanometer PC platform
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. unveiled the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Compute Platform, the world’s first 7 nanometer PC platform. Created from the ground up for the next generation of personal computing by bringing new features with thin and light designs, allowing for new form factors in the always-on, always-connected category, the Snapdragon 8cx packs the new Qualcomm […]
Mobile platform supports multi-gigabit 5G, AI and immersive extended reality features
Qualcomm has unveiled the newest generation in the 8 Mobile Platform Series, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform supporting multi-gigabit 5G, AI and immersive extended reality (XR) collectively. Using new chip architectures built on leading 7nm process technology, Snapdragon 855 will offer users long-lasting battery life and superior experiences in areas such as imaging, audio, […]
Software technique enables cell phone cameras to “see in the dark”
An innovative software technique called Extended Dynamic Range Architecture (ExDRA) is said to dramatically improve low-light-level imaging in cell phone and other CMOS/CCD -based cameras. The technique utilizes charge binning, combining a full megapixel image of bright objects with a higher-sensitivity binned image of faint objects, all performed in one frame time. ExDRA is said […]
Teardown: Inside bouncing LED balls
We cut one of these balls apart so you needn’t destroy yours to get a look at its internals. If you’ve ever attended a trade show, you might have seen a booth give-away item that consisted of a see-through bouncing ball with a flashing LED or two inside and sometimes a noise maker. When you […]
Ultra-low-power 8-bit STM8 core MCU comes in low pin-count SO-8 outline package
The STM8L001 ultra-low-power microcontroller from STMicroelectronics targets cost-conscious applications, by combining ST’s highly efficient 8-bit STM8 core with essential and effective peripherals, in the compact, low-pin-count SO-8 outline. The microcontroller provides essential features for basic sensing, communication, and control, including two comparators, SPI, I2C, and UART interfaces, and one 8- and two 16-bit timers. 8Kbytes of Flash memory and […]
32-bit MCUs address connected industrial, robotics, and home appliance market
The RX66T MCUs are the first members of Renesas’ flagship 32-bit RX MCU family based on the new third-generation RXv3 CPU core. The new RX66T MCUs address the real-time performance and enhanced stability required by inverter control in next-generation smart factory equipment and smart home appliances, while adding the extra processing capacity needed for embedded […]