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New Aptina Image Sensor Created for High End 5MP Phones

Aptina announced today the launch of the MT9P013 5MP image sensor. Like the image sensor’s predecessor, the 5MP MT9P012, Aptina’s new sensor was created with the demanding mobile market in mind. To achieve the performance the quality-focused mobile market expects, the new 1.75-micron pixel, 1/3.2 inch optical format sensor leverages the same successful light-capturing technology Aptina is integrating into its 1.4-micron image sensors. The improvements to the MT9P013 1.75-micron pixel improve performance, and low-light sensitivity to enable mobile applications like cell phones to capture higher quality images. The new sensor supports 720p HD video at 60fps and full 5MP resolution at 15fps. Additionally, the sensor provides flexibility for ISP support which includes MIPI, CCP2 or Parallel interfaces.

“New advancements in Aptina’s imaging technology are increasing the sensitivity of our 5MP sensors and enabling Aptina to meet the quality and feature demands voiced by high end mobile manufacturers,” notes Venkat Puntambekar, Segment Marketing Director of Mobile Imaging. “The improvements of this sensor over the MT9P012 make it a great addition to the portfolio of mobile solutions we extend to our customers to optimize their cost/performance point. This new sensor provides drop-in convenience for current users with a better performing 5MP image sensor.”

The MT9P013 is Aptina’s third generation 1.75-micron pixel. This 5MP sensor integrates the light-gathering advancements being integrated into Aptina’s 1.4-micron pixel sensors. The improvements to this sensor provide manufacturers with performance that surpasses Aptina’s best-in-class 5MP sensor solutions currently integrated into camera centric high-end mobile phones. In addition, the new sensor’s low-light sensitivity improvement is 2X over the MT9P012 for binning modes.

Key Features and Improvements
Aptina’s new 5MP sensor provides improved image quality, yet also provides key features manufacturers are looking for such as high frame rates and multiple output options. The sensor provides high quality video recording capabilities supporting up to 720p 60fps. The data output options include a high throughput 2-lane MIPI serial interface capable of 1500 Mbps or greater and a parallel interface with throughput of 96Mb/sec x 12 bits. The output options combined with the sensor’s input clock for the PLL enable users to consider a variety of ISP solutions, including the MT9S311, Aptina’s ISP solution designed specifically for manufacturers integrating Aptina 5MP sensors.

[Aptina]