Micron Introduces VGA-size ultra low-power CMOS image sensor camera System-on-a-Chip (SoC) devices

Boise, Idaho, February 17, 2003 - Micron Technology, Inc., today announced samples of VGA-size ultra low-power CMOS image sensor camera System-on-a-Chip (SoC) devices (MI-SOC-0343) and stand-alone VGA-size CMOS image sensors (MI-0343). Micron's VGA-size CMOS image sensors are designed to capture high-quality color images and offer an ideal solution for the small form factor, low-power, and high image quality requirements of today's mobile applications. Micron will be demonstrating the capabilities of the MI-SOC-0343 and MI-0343 devices at its booth (D30, Hall 2) at 3GSM World Congress, February 17-21, 2003 in Cannes, France.

"Micron remains focused on the low-power, high image quality needs of the rapidly growing mobile imaging market," said Shawn Maloney, Senior Director of Marketing for Micron Imaging. "The addition of our VGA-size CMOS image sensors is a build on our successful low-power CIF-size CMOS image sensors, demonstrating our commitment to offering customers the flexibility to choose between a stand-alone image sensor or a complete camera SoC."

The stand-alone sensor operates at 40mW at 15 frames per second (fps) and the SoC operates at 85mW at 15 frames per second. Both products offer a VGA resolution of 640H x 480V and can be programmed to output progressive scan images up to 30 frames per second. The SoC can be programmed to output images in 8 bit CCIR 656 (YCrCb) or 565-RGB format. This flexibility allows product designs to easily incorporate preview modes. The frame- and line- valid signals are output on dedicated pins, along with a pixel clock that is synchronous with valid data.

The SoC combines the CMOS image sensor core with Micron's Image Flow Processor (IFP) and performs a number of sophisticated processing functions, including: color recovery, color correction, sharpening, auto black reference (ABR) clamping, auto-exposure (AE), automatic 50/60Hz scan switching, lens shading correction and auto white balance (AWB). The SoC provides all the functions of a CMOS imaging camera on a singe chip and eliminates the need for expensive additional image processing and camera controller ASICS. This reduces system chip count and also helps reduce form factor of camera modules for handheld, mobile applications.

Samples of VGA-size CMOS image sensor camera SoC devices (part number: MI-SOC-0343) and stand-alone VGA-size CMOS image sensors (part number: MI-0343) are available now. For more information or to order samples, contact the Micron Imaging Marketing Department at (626) 685-5103.

Micron Technology, Inc., is one of the world's leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions used in today's leading-edge computing, consumer, networking, and communications products. Micron Technology, Inc., and its subsidiaries manufacture and market DRAMs, very fast SRAMs, Flash memory, TCAMs, CMOS image sensors, other semiconductor components and memory modules. Micron's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the MU symbol. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc., visit its web site at www.micron.com.