Hitachi's Small High-Picture-Quality CMOS Sensor Camera Module Adds New Capabilities to Portable Devices

Business Wire, Feb 25, 2002

Business Editors

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 25, 2002

Hitachi Semiconductor (America) Inc. today introduced a 1/7-inch, 110,000-pixel camera module for mobile phones, portable information terminals, toys, and other products with a built-in camera function. The device, the model HAM49002, simplifies system designs by combining two electronic elements into one package, and it aids efforts to build highly compact, convenient systems by having the industry's smallest and thinnest package (7.0x7.6x4.9 mm).

The tiny camera module has a highly sensitive CMOS sensor (5-lux minimum field illuminance) for capturing images even in low light, and a built-in high-precision A/D converter for good color reproduction. It supports the CIF (Common Immediate Format) 352(H) x 288(V) standard video format.

Advanced image processing and control technology

The sensor connects internally to a special Hitachi H8 series 16-bit microcontroller (MCU) that performs signal processing. The MCU provides precise handling of complex and varied image adjustment functions such as exposure control; auto white balance; smooth image processing in response to changes of scene; and upside-down reverse and left/right reverse image manipulations.

The camera module's frame rate is 15 frames per second (15 fps) and its output format is the standard YUV 8-bit, 4:2:2.

Various module functions can be controlled from an IIC bus. This capability helps shorten the time needed to integrate the camera module into an embedded system.

The HAM49002 operates from 2.55 volts to 3.1 volts. Its low power consumption (45 mW at 15 frames per second) extends battery life in portable products.

One familiar interface, many functions

Hitachi has extensive experience in the development and production of Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) and CMOS image sensors and camera modules. The HAM49002 builds on the technology of the HAM49001 high-picture-quality module, which has a much bigger package size: 10x10x5.8-mm. Future plans for this product line include a higher-performance camera module and a version with VGA sensor compatibility.

Price and availability

Hitachi Product Number                    Sample  Availability
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HAM49002                                    $40   Q2/2002
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Reader contact

Readers can find additional product and contact information on Hitachi Semiconductor's Web site at www.hitachi.com/semiconductor or by calling (800) 285-1601.

About Hitachi Semiconductor (America) Inc.

Hitachi Semiconductor (America) Inc., a subsidiary of Hitachi America, Ltd., supports the requirements of the North American marketplace with a broad range of standard and low-power semiconductor solutions. Offering some of the industry's most popular microcontrollers, microprocessors, camera modules, SRAMs and other semiconductor solutions, Hitachi provides chips to the world's leading device manufacturers within industrial, consumer and emerging market applications. Hitachi's substantial design engineering, research and development facilities in the United States help bring the world's best technology to U.S. customers. For more information, visit: www.hitachi.com/semiconductor.> Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT), markets and manufactures a broad range of electronics, computer systems and products, consumer electronics and semiconductors, and provides industrial equipment and services throughout North America. For more information, visit: www.hitachi.com

Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading global electronics companies, with fiscal 2000 (ended March 31, 2001) consolidated sales of 8,417 billion yen ($67.9 billion(1)) The company manufactures and markets a wide range of products, including computers, semiconductors, consumer products and power and industrial equipment. For more information on Hitachi, Ltd., please visit Hitachi's Web site: http://global.hitachi.com

(1) At an exchange rate of 124 yen to the dollar.

Specifications for HAM49002 CMOS sensor camera module

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Item                            Specification
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Optical system size             1/7-inch CMOS image sensor
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Image format                    352 (H) x 288 (V)
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Minimum field illuminance       5 lux
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Frame rate                      15 fps/7.5 fps
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Output format                   YUV 8 bit, 4:2:2
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Flicker                         Auto ( 50/60 Hz, change: Manual)
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White balance                   Auto
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Control bus                     IIC
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Power supply voltage            2.55 V to 3.1 V
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Power consumption               45 mW at 15 fps, at 25(degrees)C
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Module size                     7.0 mm (W) x 7.6 mm (D) x 4.9 mm (H)
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Other features                  Upside-down reverse and left/right
                                reverse functions
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