Nethra NI-2060 Image Processor Enables Crisp Photos and High Resolution Video From 3.2-megapixel Camera in Compact Phone
Mio Technology, a leading maker of mobile GPS devices based in Taiwan, has selected Nethra Imaging’s smart camera chip for its Mio DigiWalker A702 GPS PDA phone introduced in Taiwan last week. This is the first handset on the market to integrate Nethra’s first-generation image processor that enables print quality images and digital still camera-like functionality from mobile devices.
“Nethra’s imaging technology made it easy to integrate from a systems perspective, plus they offered the specific camera features we were looking for to get to market quickly with a slim 3.2-megapixel, GPS phone for business customers,” said Steve Chang, senior PM director of Mio Technology. “We chose Nethra’s imaging solution for its ability to provide print quality images and high resolution video from our handset, plus Nethra’s macro mode auto focus feature allowed us to include an innovative business card scanner function on our newest Mio DigiWalker phone.”
Based on Nethra’s NI-2060 programmable image processor, the Mio DigiWalker A702 phone has a built-in 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash control. Aimed at business users, the multipurpose phone offers all-in-one capabilities in one compact, slim device including those of a 3.2 megapixel camera, GPS navigation system, quad-band phone and PDA. (For more information, visit http://mio-tech.com/.)
Nethra’s image processing technology enables the camera phone to deliver its high resolution and crisp photo-taking abilities. In addition, Nethra’s smart camera chip provides high frame rate video capability and a macro mode auto focus for a business card scanner function, and it enables advanced functions such as geo tagging, all features that help meet the high resolution needs of the GPS system.
“The NI-2060 delivers advanced imaging features to meet Mio Technology’s requirements for a 3.2 megapixel, GPS camera phone that lets consumers experience quality and functionality equivalent to what they get from a digital still camera,” said Pulin Desai, Nethra’s vice president of product marketing. “Nethra’s ability to deliver the right features on the current product, as well as a product roadmap that takes advantage of our combined partnership, enables Mio Technology to provide advanced camera functions in a fast paced market.”
System designers benefit from easy integration
System designers can easily integrate Nethra’s solution without any camera system platform changes, resulting in faster time to market. Nethra’s I2C-based API to the device operating system allows easy integration into the handset, and support from multiple camera module vendors allows for multiple sources. OEMs also benefit from knowing that Nethra offers a technology roadmap that is bringing advanced digital still camera (DSC) features to the wireless handset market and replacing the point and shoot camera. Nethra’s technology plans include more advanced DSC features such as higher megapixels for future camera-phone models and continued improved image quality even when the pixel becomes smaller (2.2 microns to 1.75 microns to 1.44 microns).
Nethra image processor for 3.2 megapixel camera
* Auto focus feature for crisp images and fast convergence of AF algorithm (~1 sec)
* Macro mode auto focus provides the ability to capture or “scan” a business card
* High resolution and high frame rate video
* LED flash control
* Advanced lens shading algorithm allows customers to tune to large variance seen in the sensor and lens, resulting in higher yield and overall better cost
* Advanced features: Sports mode, Nightmode, High ISO – Digital still camera features
* Small form factor and low power
About the NI-2060/61 product family
Nethra’s first generation product, the NI-2060/61, is part of the NI-20xx family of image processors for compact consumer electronic devices where print quality image capturing is a requirement. The NI-20xx allows handset designers to deliver digital still camera image quality along with today's most in-demand features in mobile handsets and PDAs. The NI-2060 scalable, programmable image processor enables high performance pixel processing at low power for mass adoption in consumer imaging applications.
Nethra also has announced the production availability of the NI-2065/66 next generation image processor. This second generation image processing pipeline provides further improved image performance and integrates a JPEG encoder. Available in the industry’s smallest 5mm x 6mm package, the NI-2065/66 operates at 75 megapixels per second, giving up to 20 FPS throughput at 3.2 megapixels and 30 FPS at HD resolution.
About Nethra
Nethra Imaging is a privately held semiconductor company focused on delivering imaging solutions for a wide range of digital consumer applications. The company uses proprietary algorithms to build flexible, fully programmable image processor chips for mobile imaging and PC video capture applications. Located in Cupertino, Calif., Nethra is venture-backed and entered the market in 2005 with a family of image processors for the rapidly growing mobile handset camera market. For more information, visit www.nethra.us.com.
Nethra Imaging™ and the Nethra logo are trademarks of Nethra Imaging Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © Nethra Imaging Inc. 2007.