Friday, August 31, 2012
Nemotek's WLC Cost Analysed
August issue of Yole Developpement's 3D Packaging Magazine publishes reverse engineering analysis of Nemotek's wafer level camera. The VGA WLC is mostly based on Tessera technology. SystemPlus Consulting, the author of the article, concludes that the whole camera cost is 30 cents (not including image sensor), 50% of that is its wafer level package:
Omnivision Forecasts Big Revenue Increase
Seeking Alpha: In its quarterly earnings report "OmniVision is forecasting a jaw-dropping increase in next quarter's revenue to $355 million to $390 million, far higher than the consensus $269 million estimates. The revenue forecast is 38% to 50% higher sequentially. You don't boost your sales outlook without something big in the works.
...OmniVision's bullish forecast all but confirms it will be supplying the rumored iPhone 5. The optimistic sales outlook is yet another indication that Apple will be launching the iPhone 5 very soon."
Seeking Alpha's transcript of Omnivision's quarterly earnings call has few interesting bits of info:
Some quotes:
Shaw Hong, CEO:
"In Q1, we recorded revenues of $258 million and we shipped 166 million image sensors. On a non-GAAP basis, gross margin was 19.5% and net income was $11.6 million.
...Our cash balance decreased by $94 million to $237 million and our inventory balance increased by $112 million to $403 million. These were results of a strategic decision to build inventory to support our fast growing business in the face of strong seasonal demand."
Hasan Gadjali, VP Marketing and Business Development:
"...our most advanced OmniBSI-2 technology such as OV90772, OV5690, OV8850 and OV12830, ...are now being selected for premium mobile device."
Anson Chan - CFO & VP, Finance:
"R&D expense in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 totaled $28.8 million, a 6.2% increase from the $27.2 million in our fiscal 2012 fourth quarter. The increase in R&D expense was driven by an increase in R&D headcount.
...We currently expect our R&D expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2013 will increase further at a low double-digit percentage rate."
...OmniVision's bullish forecast all but confirms it will be supplying the rumored iPhone 5. The optimistic sales outlook is yet another indication that Apple will be launching the iPhone 5 very soon."
Seeking Alpha's transcript of Omnivision's quarterly earnings call has few interesting bits of info:
- The cash balance went down by $94M due to the decision to increase the inventory
- The bulk of this inventory is OmniBSI-2 devices
- An unusually big increase in 1.3MP sensor shipments in the past quarter is explained by the adaption of HD video across all mobile devices
- The reported GAAP gross margin is 19.1% and might go down further next quarter. This is explained by the higher cost of OmniBSI-2 sensors and their bigger proportion in overall shipments
Some quotes:
Shaw Hong, CEO:
"In Q1, we recorded revenues of $258 million and we shipped 166 million image sensors. On a non-GAAP basis, gross margin was 19.5% and net income was $11.6 million.
...Our cash balance decreased by $94 million to $237 million and our inventory balance increased by $112 million to $403 million. These were results of a strategic decision to build inventory to support our fast growing business in the face of strong seasonal demand."
Hasan Gadjali, VP Marketing and Business Development:
"...our most advanced OmniBSI-2 technology such as OV90772, OV5690, OV8850 and OV12830, ...are now being selected for premium mobile device."
Anson Chan - CFO & VP, Finance:
"R&D expense in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 totaled $28.8 million, a 6.2% increase from the $27.2 million in our fiscal 2012 fourth quarter. The increase in R&D expense was driven by an increase in R&D headcount.
...We currently expect our R&D expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2013 will increase further at a low double-digit percentage rate."
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Sony Announces New Imagers, ISPs
Sony Cx-News Vol. 69 mostly consists of image sensor announcements. The most interesting one is the high-speed 12.4MP 1/1.7-inch IMX144CQJ BSI CMOS sensor. The sensor is based on 1.85um pixels and delivers 35fps at full resolution. It also has a 4K video mode (4096H x 2160V) at 60fps.
The new sensor is said to have 1.3 times the sensitivity and 1.9 times the saturation signal level of the previous generation Sony product, IMX078CQK based on a smaller 1.55um pixel:
The angular light acceptance has also been improved over the 1.55um pixel:
Another new announcement is three HD video sensors for industrial applications, based on 2.8um and 3.75um pixels and having MIPI interface:
IMX137LQK:
IMX139LQJ:
IMX140LQJ:
ICX693AQA (RGB version) and ICX693AKA (CMYG version) CCDs has SVGA (800 x 600) resolution and 50fps speed in 1/3-inch format. The new CCDs have 6um pixels. Comparing to a previous generation VGA CCDs, even though their unit cell area is approximately 34% smaller, their sensitivity is 2.4 times (+7.7 dB) greater, saturation signal level is 2.6 times (+8.3 dB) better and smear characteristics are approximately -15 dB, all of which add up to a significant boost in improvement.
Other than image sensors, Sony announced a new ISP + H.264 Encoder chip series called "Xarina" and targeting next generation of IP Surveillance cameras. The CXD4135GG (chip) and CXD4235 (chip+DRAM module) support WDR imaging, motion detection, face detection, noise reduction (3D-NR/2D-NR), digital image stabilization, and other intelligent functions. H.264 and Motion JPEG video encoding support video streaming at up to 1920 x 1080p at 60 fps.
The new sensor is said to have 1.3 times the sensitivity and 1.9 times the saturation signal level of the previous generation Sony product, IMX078CQK based on a smaller 1.55um pixel:
The angular light acceptance has also been improved over the 1.55um pixel:
Another new announcement is three HD video sensors for industrial applications, based on 2.8um and 3.75um pixels and having MIPI interface:
IMX137LQK:
- 1/4-inch, 2.8um pixel, 1.43MP resolution
- Frame rate: 60 fps
IMX139LQJ:
- 1/3-inch, 3.75um pixel 1.37MP resolution
- Frame rate: 120 fps
IMX140LQJ:
- 1/2.8-inch, 2.8um pixel, 2.38MP resolution
- Frame rate: 60 fps
ICX693AQA (RGB version) and ICX693AKA (CMYG version) CCDs has SVGA (800 x 600) resolution and 50fps speed in 1/3-inch format. The new CCDs have 6um pixels. Comparing to a previous generation VGA CCDs, even though their unit cell area is approximately 34% smaller, their sensitivity is 2.4 times (+7.7 dB) greater, saturation signal level is 2.6 times (+8.3 dB) better and smear characteristics are approximately -15 dB, all of which add up to a significant boost in improvement.
Other than image sensors, Sony announced a new ISP + H.264 Encoder chip series called "Xarina" and targeting next generation of IP Surveillance cameras. The CXD4135GG (chip) and CXD4235 (chip+DRAM module) support WDR imaging, motion detection, face detection, noise reduction (3D-NR/2D-NR), digital image stabilization, and other intelligent functions. H.264 and Motion JPEG video encoding support video streaming at up to 1920 x 1080p at 60 fps.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
JVC-Kenwood Acquires Altasens
It was brought to my attention that AltaSens, Inc. has announced that it has been wholly acquired by JVC KENWOOD on Aug. 10, 2012. After the acquisition Altasens becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of JVC KENWOOD.
"AltaSens’ products and technology have tremendous applicability to JVC KENWOOD’s existing products such as security camera, professional video camera, and future product developments," said Kensuke Kawai, JVC KENWOOD’s Officer and CTO. "AltaSens will be aiming to accelerate growth as a self‐standing company with numerous outside world‐class customers and tremendous sales potential in this rapidly growing industry."
Lester Kozlowski, AltaSens Founder, CTO, and COO stated, "We are extremely excited by this acquisition and the tremendous opportunity to work even more closely with JVC KENWOOD in the future. We are equally as thrilled with the renewed focus on quickly creating unique products leveraging innovative sensor technology for our existing and prospective customers. We consequently look forward to once again providing the world’s best image sensors."
JVC Kenwood CTO Kensuke Kawai becomes Altasens' President and CEO.
The news appears to be announced only on Altasens web site. Thanks to PM for pointing me to it!
Update: I was told that AltaSens used to be a fully owned subsidiary of Olympus Corp. Now JVC-Kenwood aqcuired it from Olympus. With this AltaSens becomes a fully owned subsidiary of JVC-Kenwood.
"AltaSens’ products and technology have tremendous applicability to JVC KENWOOD’s existing products such as security camera, professional video camera, and future product developments," said Kensuke Kawai, JVC KENWOOD’s Officer and CTO. "AltaSens will be aiming to accelerate growth as a self‐standing company with numerous outside world‐class customers and tremendous sales potential in this rapidly growing industry."
Lester Kozlowski, AltaSens Founder, CTO, and COO stated, "We are extremely excited by this acquisition and the tremendous opportunity to work even more closely with JVC KENWOOD in the future. We are equally as thrilled with the renewed focus on quickly creating unique products leveraging innovative sensor technology for our existing and prospective customers. We consequently look forward to once again providing the world’s best image sensors."
JVC Kenwood CTO Kensuke Kawai becomes Altasens' President and CEO.
The news appears to be announced only on Altasens web site. Thanks to PM for pointing me to it!
Update: I was told that AltaSens used to be a fully owned subsidiary of Olympus Corp. Now JVC-Kenwood aqcuired it from Olympus. With this AltaSens becomes a fully owned subsidiary of JVC-Kenwood.
Omnivision Rumored to Invest in China 12-inch Wafer Foundry
Digitimes' sources report that OmniVision is looking to buy a stake in Wuhan Xinxin Semiconductor Manufacturing, a 12-inch wafer fab in China. Wuhan Xinxin is a joint venture between SMIC and the Wuhan government. SMIC managed Wuhan Xinxin for the local government until around mid-2011 when both parties entered a joint venture agreement allowing SMIC to not only manage but also invest in the 12-inch fab.
Reportedly, Omnivision has already proposed to buy the shares of the 12-inch fab held by SMIC and Wuhan City for approximately US$80M. The talks are supposed to be finalized in the middle of September.
So far OminiVision uses TSMC and Powerchip fabs for its sensors. In response to the speculations, TSMC reiterated that its cooperation with OmniVision remains unchanged.
Wuhan Xinxin now has a monthly capacity of about 20,000 12-inch wafers, with a goal of achieving a production capacity 45,000 units per month.
Reportedly, Omnivision has already proposed to buy the shares of the 12-inch fab held by SMIC and Wuhan City for approximately US$80M. The talks are supposed to be finalized in the middle of September.
So far OminiVision uses TSMC and Powerchip fabs for its sensors. In response to the speculations, TSMC reiterated that its cooperation with OmniVision remains unchanged.
Wuhan Xinxin now has a monthly capacity of about 20,000 12-inch wafers, with a goal of achieving a production capacity 45,000 units per month.
How to Measure PTC
Albert Theuwissen explains how to measure and interpret the Photon Transfer Curve (PTC) in his latest blog post.
Tobii Named World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer
Sweden-based Tobii Technology, a maker of eye tracking and gaze interaction systems, announces its selection as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum.
With Google Project Glass and Mirosoft Fortaleza Glasses the eye tracking might play a big role in the future applications.
Earlier this year Tobii was recognized by Microsoft for its development of Tobii Gaze, an eye-tracking computer interaction method for the Windows that is said to provide users a more natural, comfortable and intuitive interaction method for computers as the company continues to pursue its vision of eye tracking-enabled consumer computing.
In this Youtube video Tobii's CTO and co-founder John Elvesjö talks about the company plans to bring the eye tracking to the mass market:
Tobii's PCEye eye control device in action is shown in another Youtube video:
Google Project Glass video:
With Google Project Glass and Mirosoft Fortaleza Glasses the eye tracking might play a big role in the future applications.
Earlier this year Tobii was recognized by Microsoft for its development of Tobii Gaze, an eye-tracking computer interaction method for the Windows that is said to provide users a more natural, comfortable and intuitive interaction method for computers as the company continues to pursue its vision of eye tracking-enabled consumer computing.
In this Youtube video Tobii's CTO and co-founder John Elvesjö talks about the company plans to bring the eye tracking to the mass market:
Tobii's PCEye eye control device in action is shown in another Youtube video:
Google Project Glass video:
Toshiba Announces Two HD Video Sensors
PR Newswire: Toshiba announces two new HD video sensors to its CMOS sensor lineup. The 1/7-inch T4K08 is Toshiba's first native 720p/30fps HD video sensor combining 1.75um FSI pixel with SoC image processing on the chip. The 1/4.4-inch T4K24 is Toshiba's first native 1080p/30fps FHD format 1.75um FSI pixel sensor.
The T4K08 format sensor and T4K24 image sensor samples are currently available with mass production, for both devices, targeted at fourth quarter, 2012. Sample pricing for the T4K08 720p is $3.00. The T4K24 1080p is priced at $4.00, also in sample quantities.
The T4K08 format sensor and T4K24 image sensor samples are currently available with mass production, for both devices, targeted at fourth quarter, 2012. Sample pricing for the T4K08 720p is $3.00. The T4K24 1080p is priced at $4.00, also in sample quantities.
OmniBSI+ Line Extended Down to VGA Chips
Omnivision launches its smallest VGA SoC for front-facing camera applications in mobile devices. The 1/13-inch OV7695 utilizes 1.75um OmniBSI+ pixel and is housed in a compact 2.4 x 2.3 mm package:
The OV7695 is currently available for sampling, and is expected to begin mass production in Q1 2013.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
PrimeSense named World Economic Forum 2013 Technology Pioneer
PR Newswire: PrimeSense is one of 23 of the world's most innovative technology start-ups that are being recognized as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer.
A selection committee, comprised of technology and innovation experts, academics and venture capitalists, reviews all applications before making its recommendation to the World Economic Forum.
"PrimeSense is proud to receive the World Economic Forum award and honored to be recognized as a Technology Pioneer," said PrimeSense CEO, Inon Beracha. "After taking part in revolutionizing the gaming industry and the living room TV experience, PrimeSense 3D sensing technology is now entering a variety of additional new markets, such as robotics, industrial markets, interactive displays, healthcare, retail and more. In all these markets PrimeSense technology transforms machines and devices by giving them the gift of sight, enabling them to see and interact with their environment."
A Youtube video from PrimeSense featurs president and co-founder, Aviad Maizel talking about the company's potential:
A selection committee, comprised of technology and innovation experts, academics and venture capitalists, reviews all applications before making its recommendation to the World Economic Forum.
"PrimeSense is proud to receive the World Economic Forum award and honored to be recognized as a Technology Pioneer," said PrimeSense CEO, Inon Beracha. "After taking part in revolutionizing the gaming industry and the living room TV experience, PrimeSense 3D sensing technology is now entering a variety of additional new markets, such as robotics, industrial markets, interactive displays, healthcare, retail and more. In all these markets PrimeSense technology transforms machines and devices by giving them the gift of sight, enabling them to see and interact with their environment."
A Youtube video from PrimeSense featurs president and co-founder, Aviad Maizel talking about the company's potential:
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