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Tessera has expanded its technology rapidly over the past three years into imaging and optics and today, it's moved one step beyond. Addressing trends towards low-cost phones, multiple cameras per phone, the rise in video conferencing combined with the way camera modules are currently built, Tessera is making available product launch services that hand hold those that manufacture handhelds.
There's a lot behind the move--and some elements are surprising. By 2012, 80% of cell phones will have at least one camera on board. In spite of the fact that more than a year ago, popular thought was that VGA would go away, momentum- for its use is increasing-so much so that the forecast is by 2012 about 600 million camera modules will be built using VGA technology. Video conferencing bolstered by video recording for YouTube-type applications, as well as demand for cameras in low-end phones in such emerging markets as India, China and Russia.
Today most components required to build a phone are assembled directly on the phone board and then put through a re-flow oven where everything. Unfortunately, camera modules and how they are currently built using plastic that is sensitive to temperature means that the camera modules must be assembled on a separate line and then connected to the board.
To deal with the challenges, Tessera announced OptiML Wafer-Level Camera (WLC) technology last year so that thousands of lenses are manufactured at once on a single wafer. This, according to the company, reduces the cost and size of the optics. Materials used by the technology result in optics that can now be assembled on the mobile phone board, eliminating the extra manufacturing step.
Tessera has now created product launch service. Tessera will manufacture in house products based on the company's technologies and bring wafer-level expertise to the marketplace. In addition, they can support technology licensees as they ramp to production.
The services provided in the Tessera Charlotte, North Carolina facility include:
- Off-the-shelf products
- Customized lens capabilities
- Engineering samples
- Qualification samples
- High-volume manufacturing
The first product offered to module makers under this plan is a single element VGA lens, the OptiML WL-VGA-1E with two optical surfaces. It will be manufactured at the wafer level using re-flow-compatible materials. The lens is compatible with standard barrel assembly and is also suitable for video conferencing. Tessera believes that with this lens, can enable module makers to meet the pull in the market to reach a $1 camera module.
By building the infrastructure, this high-volume manufacturing line in house, Tessera will enable its customers to learn and train first hand on a high-volume line on how to manufacture the product--speeding up their path to mass production.
Engineering samples are currently available. Mass production through Tessera's Product Services is set to begin in first quarter 2009. Custom designs are available for qualified customers.
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