May 12, 2014—OmniVision Technologies Inc., a developer of advanced digital solutions, released on Monday a first-of-its-kind backside illumination (BSI) image sensor and a companion processing chip, allowing for better detection of potential hazards to vehicles.

The BSI technology in OmniVision’s OV10640 devices will provide a high dynamic range of 120 dB in “highly compact automotive packages,” the company said, and its OV490 chip enables high-quality image and video processing.

The combination of device and chip can be used in a number of different applications throughout a vehicle’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

"With the consumer predilection for advanced automotive features such as 360-degree surround view, lane departure warning and pedestrian detection, there is a tremendous demand among automobile manufacturers for imaging and processing solutions that deliver exceptionally clear, low-noise images and video," said Inayat Khajasha, senior product marketing manager for automotive products at OmniVision. "The announcement of the OV10640 and OV490 underscores OmniVision's position within the automotive industry as a trendsetter in developing sensors for next-generation ADAS applications."

More information can be found at the OmniVision website.