PRNewswire: OmniVision introduces the
OV6948, one of the world's smallest commercially available image sensors. Initially developed for small-outer-diameter medical endoscopes and catheters, the OV6948 can be designed into a wide range of applications, including dental, veterinary, IoT, industrial, wearable and forensic devices. The OV6948 leverages OmniBSI+ pixel technology in a package that measures just 0.575 mm × 0.575 mm.
The product features:
- 1/36-inch optical format
- 200 × 200 pixel capture at 30 frames per second (FPS)
- Sensitivity: 1000 mV/lux-sec
- Analog data output with the ability to transmit up to 4 meters with minimal noise
- 0.575 mm x 0.575 mm package size (4 pads total) for easy integration
The OV6948 is currently sampling and is expected to start mass production in Q2 2018.
So, almost a quarter million dice per wafer or perhaps a US nickel per chip. Did I do this rough estimate correctly? Everything else in the COGS probably costs more than the silicon.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the main problem comes from the fact the dicing saw cannot last for one wafer :) !
ReplyDeleteWhat could be the applications for such tiny device?
catheters.....
ReplyDeleteOne time use medical imagers are beneficial to avoiding infections that happen as a result of inconsistent and poor sterilization of medical electronic equipment.
ReplyDeleteI remember like 3-4 years ago in the news, there were cases where these fiber imagers caused infection and I think death, also there might have been recalls and modifications to the sterilization procedures as a result.
When such a piece of equipment costs $50, it's easy to justify it as one time use, and avoid complicated and sometimes ineffective sterilization procedures.
We have used the sensor last year as an early customer for the development of a medical endoscope.
ReplyDeleteThere is no problem with the dicing of such a device, there are many other electronic devices of very small size like op-amps, small EEPROMs, magnetic sensors. Image sensors are usually the most extreme in terms of large dimensions.
What signal does the sensor output with only 4 pins? CVBS?
DeleteIt's good to see that OVT is researching, designing, and manufacturing a unique sensor. Unfortunately this sensor has a limited market and hopefully OVT is selling at a decent price for viability.
ReplyDelete