NEC Electronics intros Camera Engine 151 SoC

KAWASAKI, JAPAN, DUESSELDORF, GERMANY & SANTA CLARA, USA: NEC Electronics has introduced its new Camera Engine 151 (CE151) system-on-chip (SoC) , an image-processing device for camera phones to provide clear and high-quality images comparable to digital-still cameras (DSCs).

In 2007, NEC Electronics launched the CE131 SoC, which provided the eight-megapixel mobile-phone market segment with accumulated shipments exceeding 30 million units. NEC Electronics also introduced the CE143 SoC in 2009, which enabled processing of 12-megapixel images and full high-definition (HD) video. To continue this success, the new CE151 SoC provides advanced picture quality, performance, and functions for still images and video data, using even lower power consumption.

The SoC also enables mobile phones to output full-HD (1080-pixel) video stream and still-image data up to 13 megapixels received by the CMOS sensor. The Camera Engine Software Platform is designed for re-usability with a rich and easy-to-use command-layer application-programming interface (API). Backward compatibility with previous NEC Electronics’ CE series supports a smooth transition for existing customers to reach new heights in camera performance and functionality in mobile phones.

Main features of CE151 SoC

1) Further improved noise-reduction function
Based on customer demands for higher image quality, the new SoC has an improved noise-reduction function that minimizes distortion caused by lenses and offers the latest generation 1.1-micron sensors to record still images and video frames.

2) Lowered power consumption by approximately 25 percent
The new CE151 SoC has reduced energy consumption of approximately 25 percent from the existing CE143 product offering, achieving both a lower demand for energy and higher performance, two elements particularly critical for camera phones.

3) Supports SpeedTags™ technology to eliminate shutter lag
NEC Electronics’ CE151 SoC implements SpeedTags™ technology from Scalado, a world-leading imaging company that manages the delay between pressing the capture button and saving the captured image. This technology enables users to instantly capture multi-megapixel images without any shutter lag, giving greater freedom to photographers and enhancing a variety of camera-phone functions, including burst capturing and viewing.

4) Further improved image-stabilizing function
By improving the noise reduction feature, the new CE151 SoC also realizes advanced image stabilizing and optical compensation technologies that can be found in high-end DSCs to produce crystal-clear, well-balanced digital photos.

NEC Electronics believes the new CE151 SoC provides a significant step toward achieving advanced DSC performance on a camera phone and enables mobile phone manufacturers to expand their product coverage beyond the traditional mobile phone market.

Samples of NEC Electronics’ CE151 SoC are available now with pricing of $40 per unit (additional charge for technical support). The projected total monthly production of 1.0 million units is scheduled by April 2010. (Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.)