TransChip Inc., a leading developer of integrated camera solutions for mobile phones, recently announced that Arima Communication, Taiwan's largest OEM/ODM company, has selected TransChip's TC5740 VGA camera module for several of its camera phone models.

Arima Communication has begun mass production of two camera phones containing TransChip's integrated imagers, one GSM/GPRS and another CDMA, which will be commercially available in China from Q1 2004. Arima Communication sold eight million handsets in the first three quarters of 2003 and is expected to sell over twelve million handsets in 2003 alone. Arima manufactures handsets for some of the world's leading mobile phone companies.

"We were impressed with the rapid integration of TransChip's TC5740 camera into our handsets," commented Owen Chen, executive vice president of Arima Communication. "The flexible hardware interfaces and high-quality software support were key factors in reducing the camera integration effort. TransChip's low-height imager design, at 5.5mm, has enabled our engineers to create ultra-thin clamshell handsets without compromising on picture quality."

TransChip's TC5740 is a complete VGA imaging solution including image sensor, programmable image processor, and real-time JPEG Codec, all integrated in a single chip. The design uses complex algorithms to ensure picture-perfect images even in difficult lighting settings. Special digital effects are possible as well as digital zoom capabilities. The camera direct interface to the phone LCD screen supports scaling and formatting of the YUV or RGB output. The imager is packaged as a miniature module on a flex cable or PCB. TransChip's complete imaging solution includes all essential interfaces and firmware, allowing fast and simple integration into a mobile phone.