Omnivision debuts AI-Enabled ASIC capable of delivering seamless DMS/OMS functionality

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Omnivision, a developer of semiconductor solutions, has unveiled what it claims is the automotive industry’s most advanced AI-enabled application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) capable of powering dedicated driver and occupant monitoring systems (DMS/OMS).

The ASIC uses a stacked-die architecture to provide integrated RGB-IR image signal processing (ISP) with two AI neural processing units (NPUs) and embedded DDR3 memory (2Gb) in a single low power, small package chip.

“Driver monitoring solutions that are high performance and low power, with a small package size, are attractive to OEMs looking to comply to regional safety regulations. The flexibility to add additional features and expand into cabin monitoring is a bonus," said Mark Fitzgerald, director, Autonomous Vehicle Research, Strategy Analytics.

The OAX4600 is a next generation ASIC that uses Omnivision’s dedicated NPU with 2 tera operations per second (TOPS). In addition, Seeing Machine’s Occula NPU has also been included for greater application flexibility. The OAX4600 features 2Gb of embedded DDR stacked memory and utilises the tri-ARM Cortex A53 with NEON core subsystem.

“The OAX4600 is set to transform the automotive industry. It integrates a unique set of features developed specifically for interior monitoring systems (IMS), and its small size and low power provide OEMs with the flexibility to place the camera at any location within the car, regardless of space constraints,” said Brian Pluckebaum, automotive product marketing manager at Omnivision. “It uses our ISP processing technology and dedicated NPU to ensure robust, latency-free image processing, even in the case of RGB-IR. We have also designed this device from the ground up with ASIL B functional safety in mind.”

The OAX4600 is capable of higher resolution processing of up to 5 megapixels. It has fast boot-up time to eliminate any delay between ignition and activation of the interior camera and features integrated cybersecurity.

The OAX4600 will be available for sampling in Q3 2022.