OmniVision Technologies’ OS02C10, a 2.9-micron, 2-megapixel image sensor employs breakthrough ultra-low-light (ULL) technology. Combining ULL with OmniVision's Nyxel near-infrared (NIR) technology, the OS02C10 works equally well in all lighting conditions. It can detect incident light in both visible and NIR wavelengths and produce precise color and monochrome images for security applications.
Nxyel NIR technology infuses the OS02C10 with a quantum efficiency (QE) of 60% at 850 nm and 40% at 940 nm, reportedly 2x to 4x better than competing devices. Additionally, 940 nm NIR lighting cannot be detected by the human eye in dark indoor settings, while 850 nm light is ideal for outdoor security cameras. The OS02C10's ability to capture crisp, clear images using undetectable 940 nm NIR light means that indoor security cameras will not disturb sleeping occupants, and can be easily concealed from intruders.
The amount of NIR light that a sensor requires to capture high-quality images can be quantified with a new metric called NIR SNR1, which takes into account the QE, pixel size and read noise. The OS02C10 achieves an SNR1850nm of 23nw/cm2 and an SNR1940nm of 31nw/cm2, which are 2x to 4x smaller numbers compared with the leading competitors' sensors. For the designers of security cameras that operate in total darkness, this means they can reduce IR illumination to consume 2x to 4x less power compared to the competitors' sensors, for the same environment and over the same image-detection range.
The OS02C10 specifies an SNR1 of 0.16 lux while producing high definition 1080p images. For more details, peruse the OS02C10 datasheet.