More on Omnivision BSI Plans

Tech-On published an article based on conversation with Bruce Weyer, OmniVision's VP Marketing.

Bruce tells that Omnivision's 1.4um BSI pixel sensor can achieve performance equivalent to a 1.75um pixel sensor that uses conventional frontside illumination (FSI) technology. He also tells that BSI technology allows for greater zoom tolerance due to the wider chief ray angle (CRA), which enables shorter lens heights and in turn allows for thinner camera modules. In addition, BSI technology affords a much larger aperture size, facilitating lower f/stops.

According to Weyer, OminVision's first product using BSI technology will probably be an 8MP image sensor targeting the mobile phone markets. OmniVision started demonstrating sensors using BSI technology to its major customers in May. Sampling "was scheduled to start in July" - quite a strange statement for an article written in mid-August. Mass production is expected to start in the later part of 2008.