Omnivision commercializes ‘world’s smallest’ pixel in its 200MP sensor...

17 Aug 2022

...and Micledi launches range of microLED devices with integrated micro-lenses for AR smartglasses.

OVB0A performance “shows that pixel shrink is not limited by wavelength.”

Omnivision, a developer of semiconductor solutions, including advanced digital imaging, analog, and touch & display technology, has launched the OVB0A sensor, which it describes as “one of the world’s smallest 200MP image sensors, with a pixel size of just 0.56µm”.

The OVB0A is designed for rear-facing (wide-angle) main cameras in high-end smart phones. With its unique 16-cell binning capability, the OVB0A image sensor delivers the best low-light performance in its class, says the firm. It also features 100% quad phase detection (QPD) for superior autofocus.

Arun Jayaseelan, senior product marketing manager at Omnivision, said. “We have not compromised high performance with the smaller die size of the OVB0A image sensor. In fact, OVB0A’s 0.56µm pixel is not only the first in the world smaller than the wavelength of red light, but its QPD and quantum efficiency performances also mirror those of our 0.61µm pixel-based OVB0B image sensor in the visible range.”

“Leveraging our PureCel Plus-S stacked-die technology, we can maintain high resolution in the smaller 0.56µm pixel size, packing 200M pixels into a 1/1.4-inch optical form factor,” he added.

Omnivision said that the OVB0A sensor’s selective conversion gain “attains the optimum balance between low-light image quality and high dynamic range. This allows smart phone OEMs to optimize HDR performance for contrasting light and dark areas in any scene.”

The image sensor also utilizes 16-cell binning to achieve premium video capture of 12.5MP/4K at 120 frames per second. It achieves 12.5MP/4K at 60fps with two-exposure staggered HDR timing; an on-chip remosaic function enables 8K video and 2X crop zoom with HDR at 12.5MP. Samples will be available in Q4 2022.

MicroLED devices with integrated lenses for pixel-level beam shaping.

Micledi launches microLED devices with micro-lenses

Micledi Microdisplays, a Leuven, Belgium-based developer of microLED displays for augmented reality (AR) glasses, has launched the first microLED devices with integrated micro-lenses for pixel level beam shaping, manufactured in the company’s proprietary 300mm manufacturing line.

The new family of microLED devices enables multiple benefits for waveguide-based AR glasses, including:

Improved power efficiency by focusing light within the targeted waveguide cone.
Optimal waveguide in-coupling offers additional flexibility for AR system integration and image quality improvements by controllable compensation of color dispersion.
Pixel scaling to sub-3.0-micron pitch with reproducible beam shape performance.

Samples and test kits of blue and green microLED arrays, plus blue arrays with micro-lenses have been delivered to customers this summer with red microLEDs coming in Q4, 2022. Available for both microLED device evaluation and for display integration with waveguides, customers will see FHD display blocks and a variety of other microLED structures with mesa sizes down to 0.5 microns, and with micro-lens reference designs by Micledi.

Image rendition and beam shaping profiles delivered by the new design.

Sean Lord, CEO of Micledi Microdisplays, commented, “We are excited to reach this milestone with customer-quality samples of each of our RGB arrays. Customers have been clamoring for these enhanced devices. One of the hottest demands from the field – microLED wall-plug-efficiency at ‘AR’ pitch – will be at best-in-class levels. We are also working on our first RGB modules and exploring approaches for polychromatic RGB integration.”

Micledi also pioneered the development of a modeling platform for micro-lens customization. The platform will be available for AR customers to evaluate the new technology in simulations and to design their own micro-lenses for specific wave-guide configurations. Those can then be prototyped using the firm’s manufacturing capabilities.

“Integration of the micro-lenses in a tightly pitched microLED device is a highlight of our manufacturing capabilities using 300mm wafer fab equipment. High-quality beam shaping requires extreme precision and nanometer scale overlay accuracy that can only be met in a 300mm wafer fab,” said Dr. Soeren Steudel, co-founder and CTO of the company.

Later this month, Micledi will be at the SPIE Optics + Photonics conference and exhibition in San Diego, Ca., US (21-25 August), exhibiting on table # 551.