Infineon: Chip Helps Create Mini 3D Camera in Lenovo Phones

Infineon Technologies AG's IFNNY REAL3 image sensor chip was used in Lenovo's recently launched PHAB2 Pro smartphone, the first product to be equipped with the revolutionary Tango technology. Infineon's chip has enabled the creation of the smallest 3D camera, bringing Augmented Reality to a smartphone.

Infineon's REAL3 image sensor chip is the only one that meets Google's specifications and has equipped PHAB2 Pro with a three-dimensional perception of the surroundings in real-time.

Infineon's sensor chip incorporates the control circuitry, the pixel array, ADCs and the digital high-speed interface, all in a single chip. The chip was developed in collaboration with pmdtechnologies – a leading provider of the Time-of-Flight technology.

This technology boasts the finest spatial resolution and great robustness, yet has the lowest size and current consumption, enabling the creation of the world's smallest 3D-camera.

The Tango-powered PHAB2 Pro might herald an entirely new era in mobile applications. The phone will provide users with instant access to Augmented Reality, using its motion tracking feature, depth perception and area learning capability allowing it to remember the data recorded from locations visited earlier.

Google's Tango technology makes devices process spatial information, and has relevance in multiple applications and industries. For instance, the depth perception and motion tracking features can also be applied to gesture detection inside the car or driver monitoring.

Separately, Google I/O and Infineon are working together to commercialize the "Soli" radar technology in order to create innovative products in the home entertainment and mobile devices category. Infineon's state-of-the-art radar-based sensor integrated circuits when integrated with Google's "haptic algorithms" can create a range of gesture sensing products that will provide a first-mover advantage for the companies.

Market reports suggest great prospects for the motion sensors market. Increasingly efficient size of motion sensors, coupled with fast-evolving mobile devices, automotive and healthcare industries are acting as core drivers for this technology.

The Germany-based semiconductor maker's proven expertise in radar-based sensor integrated circuits signals healthy prospects for the company in coming times. Infineon believes that its leadership position in the semiconductor industry will help it reap significant benefits from the ongoing global trend of digitalization.

Infineon currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the broader industrial products sector include Alpha & Omega Semiconductor, Ltd. AOSL, Himax Technologies, Inc. HIMX and On Track Innovations Ltd. OTIV, each holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

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