OV7670 Software Application Note

Table of Contents
OV7670 Software Application Note.................................................................................................... 1
1. Select Output format.................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Backend with full ISP........................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Backend with YCbCr ISP..................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Backend without ISP.............................................................................................................4
1.4 Equations to Convert from One Format to Another............................................................. 4
2. Select Output Resolution?........................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Backend with ISP..................................................................................................................5
2.2 Backend without ISP.............................................................................................................5
3. Adjust frame rate......................................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Frame Rate Adjustment for 24Mhz input clock....................................................................5
30 fps, PCLK = 24Mhz.......................................................................................................... 5
15 fps, PCLK = 12Mhz.......................................................................................................... 5
25fps, PCLK = 24Mhz........................................................................................................... 5
14.3fps, PCLK = 12Mhz........................................................................................................ 6
3.2 Frame Rate Adjustment for 26 Mhz input clock...................................................................6
30 fps, PCLK = 26Mhz.......................................................................................................... 6
15 fps, PCLK = 13Mhz.......................................................................................................... 6
25fps, PCLK = 26Mhz........................................................................................................... 6
14.3fps, PCLK = 13Mhz........................................................................................................ 7
3.3 Frame rate adjustment for 13 Mhz input clock..................................................................... 7
30 fps, PCLK = 26Mhz.......................................................................................................... 7
15 fps, PCLK = 13Mhz.......................................................................................................... 7
25fps, PCLK = 26Mhz........................................................................................................... 7
14.3fps, PCLK = 13Mhz........................................................................................................ 7
4. Night Mode.................................................................................................................................. 8
4.1 Night Mode with Fixed Frame Rate..................................................................................... 8
For 24Mhz/26Mhz Clock Input..............................................................................................8
For 13Mhz Clock Input.......................................................................................................... 8
4.2 Night Mode with Auto Frame Rate.......................................................................................8
For 24Mhz/26Mhz Clock Input..............................................................................................8
For 13Mhz Clock Input.......................................................................................................... 9
5. Remove Light Band................................................................................................................... 10
5.1 Light Band...........................................................................................................................10
5.2 Remove Light band............................................................................................................. 10
5.3 Select Banding Filter by Region Information..................................................................... 10
Banding Filter Setting for 24Mhz Input Clock.................................................................... 11
Banding Filter Setting for 13Mhz/26Mhz Input Clock........................................................ 11
5.4 Select Banding Filter by Automatic Light Frequency Detection........................................12
Banding Filter Setting for 24Mhz Input Clock.................................................................... 12
Banding Filter Setting for 13Mhz/26Mhz Input Clock........................................................ 13
5.5 When Light Band can not be Removed.............................................................................. 14
6. White Balance............................................................................................................................14
6.1 Simple White Balance.........................................................................................................14
6.2 Advanced White Balance....................................................................................................14

6.3 How to select?..................................................................................................................... 15

7. Defect Pixel Correction............................................................................................................. 15
8. BLC............................................................................................................................................15
9. Video Mode............................................................................................................................... 15
10. Digital zoom............................................................................................................................ 15
11. OV7670 Functions................................................................................................................... 16
11.1 Light Mode........................................................................................................................16
11.2 Color Saturation................................................................................................................ 16
11.3 Brightness..........................................................................................................................17
11.4 Contrast............................................................................................................................. 18
11.5 Special effects................................................................................................................... 18
12. Deal with Lens......................................................................................................................... 19
12.1 Light fall off...................................................................................................................... 19
12.2 Dark corner....................................................................................................................... 19
12.3 Resolution......................................................................................................................... 20
12.4 Optical contrast................................................................................................................. 20
12.5 Lens Cover........................................................................................................................ 20
12.6 Lens Correction.................................................................................................................20
13. Reference Settings................................................................................................................... 20
13.1 YCbCr............................................................................................................................... 20
13.2 RGB raw........................................................................................................................... 24

1. Select Output format

OV7670 support 4 output formats: YCbCr, RGB565/RGB555, Bayer raw RGB and Processed raw
RGB. How to choose the right output format for camera phone design or other applications? Let's
look at the backend chip first.
The general diagram of backend chip is as below:

Camera Interface
YCbCr
RGB
Bayer raw RGB
Processed raw RGB

LCD Driver
X

Memory Interface

RGB

JPEG

The data format at LCD driver are always RGB. For example, RGB444, RGB565, RGB555,
RGB888 etc. The data format and memory interface are always JPEG. The JPEG data is
compressed from YCbCr data. So Both RGB and YCbCr data are needed inside the backend chip.
The X block is different for different backend chips.

1.1 Backend with full ISP

This kind of backend has full ISP. It takes raw RGB input, doing interpolation to generate
RGB24 and doing translation to generate YCbCr. This kind of backend could take either Bayer raw
RGB or processed raw RGB.
The advantage of processed raw RGB over Bayer raw RGB is the output data are processed.
Sensor functions such as defect pixel correction, lens correction, gamma, color matrix, de-noise,
sharpness, BLC etc. could be applied. Since the life time of backend chip is longer than image
sensor, sometimes backend chips could not fix defects of new sensors if taken Bayer raw RGB. But
the defects of new sensors could be fixed in processed raw RGB output.
If backend take Bayer raw RGB format from sensor, all the image process operations such as
defect pixel correction, lens correction, gamma, color matrix, de-noise, sharpness, BCL etc should
be done by backend. If backend take processed raw RGB format from sensor, the image process
operations such as defect pixel correction, lens correction, gamma, color matrix, de-noise,
sharpness, BCL etc could be done either inside sensor or by backend chips. In other words, user
could select the image process operation be done by which side.

1.2 Backend with YCbCr ISP

This kind of backend has ISP, but could take only YCbCr format. The ISP could convert YCbCr
to RGB format for LCD display and compress YCbCr to JPEG for storage.

1.3 Backend without ISP

This kind of backend doesn't have ISP built-in. It can not convert from one format to another by
hardware. Actually the format conversion is done by software. There are 3 possible solution for this
kind of backend chips.
a. Sensor output YCbCr. Backend convert YCbCr to RGB for display by software.
b. Sensor output RGB565. Backend convert RGB565 to YCbCR for JPEG compression.
c. Sensor output RGB565 for preview, output YCbCr for capture (JPEG compression).
Solution a. provide the best picture quality. Since the input data is 24-bit RGB equivalent. It
could converted to RGB888 for LCD display. Solution b. provide the worst picture quality. Since
the input data is only 16-bit RGB565, even it is converted to YCbCr, the color depth is still 16-bit.
The solution c. provide similar picture quality as solution a. But since preview is RGB565, capture
is YCbCr, preview picture may looks a little different than capture picture.

1.4 Equations to Convert from One Format to Another

YCbCr to RGB24
Y = 0.299R + 0.587G + 0.114B
Cb = 0.568(B-Y) + 128 = 0.172R 0.339G + 0.511B + 128
Cr = 0.713(R-Y) + 128 = 0.511R 0.428G 0.083B + 128
Y = ((77 * R + 150 * G + 29 * B) >> 8);
Cb = ((-43 * R - 85 * G + 128 * B) >> 8) + 128;
Cr = ((128 * R - 107 * G - 21 * B) >> 8) + 128;
RGB24 to YCbCr
R = Y + 1.371(Cr 128)
G = Y 0.698(Cr 128) 0.336(Cb 128)
B = Y + 1.732(Cb 128)
R = Y + (351*(Cr 128)) >> 8
G = Y (179*(Cr 128) + 86*(Cb 128))>>8
B = Y + (443*(Cb 128)) >> 8

2. Select Output Resolution?

2.1 Backend with ISP
If Backend chip has built-in ISP (Full ISP or YCbCr ISP), the ISP could do image scale. So
OV7670 outputs only VGA format. ISP scaled VGA image to other resolution that mobile device
needed.

2.2 Backend without ISP

If backend chip doesn't have image scale capability, then the LCD scaler of OV7670 must be
used to scale output resolution exactly the LCD size. For example, if the LCD size is 176x220, then
the LCD scaler will scale the output size to 176x220.

3. Adjust frame rate

The recommended frame rates are 30fps and 15fps for 60Hz light environment, 25fps and
14.3fps for 50Hz light environment. The frame rate for night mode is lower, we'll discuss night
mode later.
Reference settings for above frame rates are listed below.

3.1 Frame Rate Adjustment for 24Mhz input clock

30 fps, PCLK = 24Mhz

I2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x11, 0x80);
write_i2c(0x6b, 0x0a);
write_i2c(0x2a, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x2b, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x92, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x93, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a);
15 fps, PCLK = 12Mhz

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x11, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x6b, 0x0a);
write_i2c(0x2a, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x2b, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x92, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x93, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a);
25fps, PCLK = 24Mhz

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;

write_i2c(0x11, 0x80);
write_i2c(0x6b, 0x0a);
write_i2c(0x2a, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x2b, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x92, 0x66);
write_i2c(0x93, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a);
14.3fps, PCLK = 12Mhz

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x11, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x6b, 0x0a);
write_i2c(0x2a, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x2b, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x92, 0x1a);
write_i2c(0x93, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a);

3.2 Frame Rate Adjustment for 26 Mhz input clock

30 fps, PCLK = 26Mhz

I2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x11, 0x80);
write_i2c(0x6b, 0x0a);
write_i2c(0x2a, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x2b, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x92, 0x2b);
write_i2c(0x93, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a);
15 fps, PCLK = 13Mhz

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x11, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x6b, 0x0a);
write_i2c(0x2a, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x2b, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x92, 0x2b);
write_i2c(0x93, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a);
25fps, PCLK = 26Mhz

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x11, 0x80);
write_i2c(0x6b, 0x0a);
write_i2c(0x2a, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x2b, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x92, 0x99);
write_i2c(0x93, 0x00);

write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a);
14.3fps, PCLK = 13Mhz

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x11, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x6b, 0x0a);
write_i2c(0x2a, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x2b, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x92, 0x46);
write_i2c(0x93, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a);

3.3 Frame rate adjustment for 13 Mhz input clock

30 fps, PCLK = 26Mhz

I2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x11, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x6b, 0x4a);
write_i2c(0x2a, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x2b, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x92, 0x2b);
write_i2c(0x93, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a);
15 fps, PCLK = 13Mhz

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x11, 0x01);
write_i2c(0x6b, 0x4a);
write_i2c(0x2a, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x2b, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x92, 0x2b);
write_i2c(0x93, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a);
25fps, PCLK = 26Mhz

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x11, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x6b, 0x4a);
write_i2c(0x2a, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x2b, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x92, 0x99);
write_i2c(0x93, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a);
14.3fps, PCLK = 13Mhz

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;

write_i2c(0x11, 0x01);
write_i2c(0x6b, 0x4a);
write_i2c(0x2a, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x2b, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x92, 0x46);
write_i2c(0x93, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a);

4. Night Mode
There are 2 types of settings for night mode. One type is set to fixed low frame rate, for example
3.75fps. The other type is set to auto frame rate, for example from 30fps to 3.75fps. When
environment is bright, the frame rate is increased to 30fps. When environment is dark, the frame
rate is decreased to 3.65fps.

4.1 Night Mode with Fixed Frame Rate

For 24Mhz/26Mhz Clock Input

3.75fps night mode for 60Hz light environment

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x11, 0x03);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a);
3.125fps night mode for 50Hz light environment
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x11, 0x03);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a);
For 13Mhz Clock Input

3.75fps night mode for 60Hz light environment

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x11, 0x07);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a);
3.125fps night mode for 50Hz light environment
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x11, 0x07);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a);

4.2 Night Mode with Auto Frame Rate

For 24Mhz/26Mhz Clock Input

30fps ~ 3.75fps night mode for 60Hz light environment

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x11, 0x80);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0xea);
15fps ~ 3.75fps night mode for 60Hz light environment

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x3b, 0xca);
write_i2c(0x11, 0x00);
25fps ~ 3.125fps night mode for 50Hz light environment
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x3b, 0xea);
write_i2c(0x11, 0x80);
14.3fps ~ 3.6fps night mode for 50Hz light environment
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x3b, 0xca);
write_i2c(0x11, 0x00);
For 13Mhz Clock Input

30fps ~ 3.75fps night mode for 60Hz light environment

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x11, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x3b, 0xea);
15fps ~ 3.75fps night mode for 60Hz light environment
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x3b, 0xca);
write_i2c(0x11, 0x01);
25fps ~ 3.125fps night mode for 50Hz light environment
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x3b, 0xea);
write_i2c(0x11, 0x00);
14.3fps ~ 3.6fps night mode for 50Hz light environment
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x3b, 0xca);
write_i2c(0x11, 0x01);
Note:
When OV7670 is set to low frame rate, there may be many white pixels shown on LCD of
mobile phone or on PC diaplay.

5. Remove Light Band

5.1 Light Band

AC
Light
Exposure
Not n/100, has band

= n/100, no band

The strength of office light is not even. It changes with AC frequency. For example, if the AC
frequency is 50Hz, the light changes strength at 100hz.

5.2 Remove Light band

Light band is removed by set exposure to n/100 (n/120 for 60Hz)seconds. The banding filter
value tell OV7670 how many lines is 1/100 (1/120 for 60Hz) seconds.

5.3 Select Banding Filter by Region Information

The region information of mobile phone could be used to select banding filter values. A light
frequency table is built to indicate which region uses 50Hz light and which region uses 60Hz light.
When region information is got, the light frequency information could be get from the table.
Different frame rate could be used for different light frequency. So the frame rate is optimized for
both 50hz light condition and 60hz light condition.

Banding Filter Setting for 24Mhz Input Clock

30fps for 60Hz light frequency

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //banding filter enable
write_i2c(0x9d, 0x98); //50Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0x9e, 0x7f); //60Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x02); //3 step for 50hz
write_i2c(0xab, 0x03); //4 step for 60hz
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x02); //Select 60Hz banding filter
15fps for 60Hz light frequency
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //banding filter enable
write_i2c(0x9d, 0x4c); //50Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0x9e, 0x3f); //60Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x05); //6 step for 50hz
write_i2c(0xab, 0x07); //8 step for 60hz
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x02); //Select 60Hz banding filter
25fps for 50Hz light frequency
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //banding filter enable
write_i2c(0x9d, 0x98); //50Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0x9e, 0x7f); //60Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x03); //4 step for 50hz
write_i2c(0xab, 0x03); //4 step for 60hz
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a); //Select 50Hz banding filter
14.3fps for 50Hz light frequency
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //banding filter enable
write_i2c(0x9d, 0x4c); //50Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0x9e, 0x3f); //60Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x06); //7 step for 50hz
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x07); //8 step for 60hz
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a); //Select 50Hz banding filter
Banding Filter Setting for 13Mhz/26Mhz Input Clock

30fps for 60Hz light frequency

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //banding filter enable
write_i2c(0x9d, 0xa5); //50Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0x9e, 0x89); //60Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x02); //3 step for 50hz
write_i2c(0xab, 0x03); //4 step for 60hz
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x02); //Select 60Hz banding filter
15fps for 60Hz light frequency
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //banding filter enable
write_i2c(0x9d, 0x52); //50Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0x9e, 0x44); //60Hz banding filter

write_i2c(0xa5, 0x06); //7 step for 50hz

write_i2c(0xab, 0x07); //8 step for 60hz
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x02); //Select 60Hz banding filter
25fps for 50Hz light frequency
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //banding filter enable
write_i2c(0x9d, 0xa5); //50Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0x9e, 0x89); //60Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x02); //3 step for 50hz
write_i2c(0xab, 0x03); //4 step for 60hz
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a); //Select 50Hz banding filter
14.3fps for 50Hz light frequency
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //banding filter enable
write_i2c(0x9d, 0x52); //50Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0x9e, 0x44); //60Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x06); //7 step for 50hz
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x07); //8 step for 60hz
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x0a); //Select 50Hz banding filter

5.4 Select Banding Filter by Automatic Light Frequency Detection

Set same frame rate for 50Hz and 60Hz light environment, set 50Hz and 60Hz banding filter
value. OV7670 could automatic select 50Hz or 60Hz banding filter based on light frequency
detection.
Banding Filter Setting for 24Mhz Input Clock

30fps for 60Hz light frequency

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //banding filter enable
write_i2c(0x9d, 0x98); //50Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0x9e, 0x7f); //60Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x02); //3 step for 50hz
write_i2c(0xab, 0x03); //4 step for 60hz
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x12); //Automatic Detect banding filter
15fps for 60Hz light frequency
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //banding filter enable
write_i2c(0x9d, 0x4c); //50Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0x9e, 0x3f); //60Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x05); //6 step for 50hz
write_i2c(0xab, 0x07); //8 step for 60hz
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x12); //Automatic Detect banding filter
25fps for 50Hz light frequency
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //banding filter enable

write_i2c(0x9d, 0x98); //50Hz banding filter

write_i2c(0x9e, 0x7f); //60Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x03); //4 step for 50hz
write_i2c(0xab, 0x03); //4 step for 60hz
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x1a); //Automatic detect banding filter
14.3fps for 50Hz light frequency
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //banding filter enable
write_i2c(0x9d, 0x4c); //50Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0x9e, 0x3f); //60Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x06); //7 step for 50hz
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x07); //8 step for 60hz
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x1a); //Automatic detect banding filter
Banding Filter Setting for 13Mhz/26Mhz Input Clock

30fps for 60Hz light frequency

i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //banding filter enable
write_i2c(0x9d, 0xa5); //50Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0x9e, 0x89); //60Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x02); //3 step for 50hz
write_i2c(0xab, 0x03); //4 step for 60hz
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x12); //Automatic detect banding filter
15fps for 60Hz light frequency
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //banding filter enable
write_i2c(0x9d, 0x52); //50Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0x9e, 0x44); //60Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x06); //7 step for 50hz
write_i2c(0xab, 0x07); //8 step for 60hz
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x12); //Automatic detect banding filter
25fps for 50Hz light frequency
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //banding filter enable
write_i2c(0x9d, 0xa5); //50Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0x9e, 0x89); //60Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x02); //3 step for 50hz
write_i2c(0xab, 0x03); //4 step for 60hz
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x1a); //automatic detect banding filter
14.3fps for 50Hz light frequency
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //banding filter enable
write_i2c(0x9d, 0x52); //50Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0x9e, 0x44); //60Hz banding filter
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x06); //7 step for 50hz
write_i2c(0xa5, 0x07); //8 step for 60hz
write_i2c(0x3b, 0x1a); //automatic detect banding filter

5.5 When Light Band can not be Removed

Normally the light band is removed by banding filter.
But there is some special conditions such as mix light of sun light and office light, take picture of
florescent light, the light band can not removed. The reason is the exposure time is less than 1/100
second for 50hz light environment and less than 1/120 second for 60hz light environment, so the
light band can not be removed.
The light band is this conditions could not be removed for all CMOS sensors, not only OV7670.
So there is no way to remove light band in this condition.

6. White Balance
OV7670 support simple white balance and advanced balance.

6.1 Simple White Balance

Simple white balance assume gray world. Which means the average color of world is gray. It is
true for most environment.
Advantage of simple AWB
Simple white balance is not depend on lens. A general setting for simple white balance could
applied for all modules with different lens.
Disadvantage of simple AWB
The color is not accurate in conditions where gray world not true. For example the background
has a huge red, blue or green etc. the color of the foreground is not accurate. If the camera target
single color such as red, blue, green, the simple white balance will make the single color gray.
Settings
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //AWB on
write_i2c(0x6f, 0x9f); // Simple AWB

6.2 Advanced White Balance

Advanced white balance uses color temperature information to detect white area and do the white
balance.
Advantage of Advanced AWB
Color is more accurate than simple white balance. Even the background is single color, the
camera will not make the single color gray.
Disadvantage of Advanced AWB
Advanced white balance setting is depend on lens. The setting must be adjusted for every module
with new lens. The adjustment must be done by OmniVision FAE in optical lab with some optical
equipment such as light box, color checker etc.

Settings
Contact with OmniVision local FAE.

6.3 How to select?

Generally, for low resolution camera module such as CIF, VGA and 1.3M, simple AWB is
selected. For high resolution camera module such as 2M, 3M, advanced AWB is selected.

7. Defect Pixel Correction

Defect pixel include dead pixel and wounded pixel.
Dead pixel include white dead pixel and black dead pixel. White dead pixel is always white no
matter the actual picture is bright or dark. Black dead pixel is always black no matter the actual
picture is bright or dark.
Wounded pixel may change with light, but not as much as normal pixel. White wounded pixels
are much brighter then normal pixels, but not complete white. Black wounded pixels are much
darker than normal pixels, but not complete black.
OV7670 has built-in defect pixel correction function. If OV7670 output YCbCr, RGB565,
Processed raw RGB, the defect pixel correction function could be enabled to fix defect pixels. But if
Bayer raw RGB is used, the defect pixel correction function of sensor could not be used. The defect
pixel correction of backend chip should be used instead.
Please pay attention to the defect pixel correction function of backend chip. Some backend chip
may not be able to correct all defect pixels of OV7670.

8. BLC
The function of Black Level Calibration (BLC) is to product accurate color in the dark area of
picture. There is automatic BLC function built-in OV7670. It should always be turned on.

9. Video Mode
Video mode need high frame rate, usually fixed 15fps. There is no night mode for video mode.

10. Digital zoom

If OV7670 output image smaller than QVGA, it may support digital zoom. For example
VGA
not digital zoom supported
QVGA
1x, 2x
QQVGA
1x, 2x, 4x
QCIF
1x, 1.8x
QQCIF
1x, 2x, 3.6x
If backend chip support scale up, then more zoom level could be supported.

11. OV7670 Functions

11.1 Light Mode
Auto
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe7); //AWB on
Sunny
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe5); //AWB off
write_i2c(0x01, 0x5a);
write_i2c(0x02, 0x5c);
Cloudy
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe5); //AWB off
write_i2c(0x01, 0x58);
write_i2c(0x02, 0x60);
Office
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe5); //AWB off
write_i2c(0x01, 0x84);
write_i2c(0x02, 0x4c);
Home
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x13, 0xe5); //AWB off
write_i2c(0x01, 0x96);
write_i2c(0x02, 0x40);

11.2 Color Saturation

The color saturation of OV7670 could be adjusted. High color saturation would make the picture
looks more vivid, but the side effect is the bigger noise and not accurate skin color.
Saturation + 2
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x4f, 0xc0);
write_i2c(0x50, 0xc0);
write_i2c(0x51, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x52, 0x33);
write_i2c(0x53, 0x8d);
write_i2c(0x54, 0xc0);
write_i2c(0x58, 0x9e);
Saturation + 1
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x4f, 0x99);
write_i2c(0x50, 0x99);

write_i2c(0x51, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x52, 0x28);
write_i2c(0x53, 0x71);
write_i2c(0x54, 0x99);
write_i2c(0x58, 0x9e);
Saturation 0
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x4f, 0x80);
write_i2c(0x50, 0x80);
write_i2c(0x51, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x52, 0x22);
write_i2c(0x53, 0x5e);
write_i2c(0x54, 0x80);
write_i2c(0x58, 0x9e);
Saturation -1
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x4f, 0x66);
write_i2c(0x50, 0x66);
write_i2c(0x51, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x52, 0x1b);
write_i2c(0x53, 0x4b);
write_i2c(0x54, 0x66);
write_i2c(0x58, 0x9e);
Saturation - 2
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x4f, 0x40);
write_i2c(0x50, 0x40);
write_i2c(0x51, 0x00);
write_i2c(0x52, 0x11);
write_i2c(0x53, 0x2f);
write_i2c(0x54, 0x40);
write_i2c(0x58, 0x9e);

11.3 Brightness
The brightness of OV7670 could be adjusted. Higher brightness will make the picture more
bright. The side effect of higher brightness is the picture looks frogy.
Brightness +2
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x55, 0x30);
Brightness +1
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x55, 0x18);
Brightness 0
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x55, 0x00);

Brightness -1
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x55, 0x98);
Brightness -2
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x55, 0xb0);

11.4 Contrast
The contrast of OV7670 could be adjusted. Higher contrast will make the picture sharp. But the
side effect is loosing dynamic range.
Contrast +2
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x56, 0x60);
Contrast +1
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x56, 0x50);
Contrast 0
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x56, 0x40);
Contrast -1
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x56, 0x38);
Contrast -2
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x56, 0x30);

11.5 Special effects

OV7670 support some special effects such as B/W, negative, sepia, bluish, redish, greenish etc. If
users need other special effects, it should be supported by backend chips.
Antique
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x3a, 0x14);
write_i2c(0x67, 0xa0);
write_i2c(0x68, 0x40);
Bluish
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x3a, 0x14);
write_i2c(0x67, 0x80);
write_i2c(0x68, 0xc0);

Greenish
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x3a, 0x14);
write_i2c(0x67, 0x40);
write_i2c(0x68, 0x40);
Redish
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x3a, 0x14);
write_i2c(0x67, 0xc0);
write_i2c(0x68, 0x80);
B&W
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x3a, 0x14);
write_i2c(0x67, 0xc80);
write_i2c(0x68, 0x80);
Negative
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x3a, 0x24);
write_i2c(0x67, 0x80);
write_i2c(0x68, 0x80);
B&W negative
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x3a, 0x34);
write_i2c(0x67, 0x80);
write_i2c(0x68, 0x80);
Normal
i2c_salve_Address = 0x42;
write_i2c(0x3a, 0x04);
write_i2c(0x67, 0xc0);
write_i2c(0x68, 0x80);

12. Deal with Lens

12.1 Light fall off
Light fall off means the corner of image is darker than center of image. It is caused by the lens.
The lens shading correction function of OV7670 could be turned on to compensate the corner
brightness and make the whole picture looks same bright.

12.2 Dark corner

Some lens may have dark corner. Dark corner means the color of picture looks almost black. It is
not possible to correct dark corner with lens correction. So the module with dark corner is NG, it
can not be used.

12.3 Resolution
The resolution of camera module depends on lens design, focus adjustment and sensor resolution
as well. The focus adjustment is very important for camera module assembly.
For OV7670 the focus distance is about 40~50cm. The depth of field is about from 20~25cm to
infinite. If checking resolution of camera module, the resolution chart should be placed 40~50 cm
away.

12.4 Optical contrast

The optical contrast of lens is very important to picture quality. If the optical contrast of lens is
not good, the picture would looks forgy. Though it could be improved by increase the sensor
contrast to make the picture sharper, the higher sensor contrast would make the detail lost of dark
area of the picture.

12.5 Lens Cover

The lens cover is the cheapest part in optical path. But it could affect picture quality very much.
The lens cover should be made with optical glass with AR coating at both side. Otherwise, the lens
cover may cause sensitivity loss and/or stronger lens flare.

12.6 Lens Correction

Lens Correction setting should be tunned with every module. Please contact with OmniVision
local FAE foe lens correction tuning.

13. Reference Settings

13.1 YCbCr
;Input clock 24Mhz, 25fps
42 12 80
;
42 11 80
42 3a 04
42 12 00
42 17 13
42 18 01
42 32 b6
42 19 02
42 1a 7a
42 03 0a
42 0c 00
42 3e 00
42 70 3a
42 71 35
42 72 11
42 73 f0
42 a2 02
;
42 7a 20
42 7b 10

42 7c 1e
42 7d 35
42 7e 5a
42 7f 69
42 80 76
42 81 80
42 82 88
42 83 8f
42 84 96
42 85 a3
42 86 af
42 87 c4
42 88 d7
42 89 e8
;
42 13 e0
42 01 50
42 02 68
42 00 00
42 10 00
42 0d 40
42 14 18
42 a5 07
42 ab 08
42 24 95
42 25 33
42 26 e3
42 9f 78
42 a0 68
42 a1 03
42 a6 d8
42 a7 d8
42 a8 f0
42 a9 90
42 aa 94
42 13 e5
;
42 0e 61
42 0f 4b
42 16 02
42 1e 07
42 21 02
42 22 91
42 29 07
42 33 0b
42 35 0b
42 37 1d
42 38 71
42 39 2a
42 3c 78
42 4d 40
42 4e 20

42 69 00
42 6b 0a
42 74 10
42 8d 4f
42 8e 00
42 8f 00
42 90 00
42 91 00
42 92 66
42 96 00
42 9a 80
42 b0 84
42 b1 0c
42 b2 0e
42 b3 82
42 b8 0a
;
42 43 14
42 44 f0
42 45 34
42 46 58
42 47 28
42 48 3a
42 59 88
42 5a 88
42 5b 44
42 5c 67
42 5d 49
42 5e 0e
42 64 04
42 65 20
42 66 05
42 94 04
42 95 08
42 6c 0a
42 6d 55
42 6e 11
42 6f 9f ;9e for advance AWB
42 6a 40
42 01 40
42 02 40
42 13 e7
;
42 4f 80
42 50 80
42 51 00
42 52 22
42 53 5e
42 54 80
42 58 9e
;
42 41 08

42 3f 00
42 75 03
42 76 e1
42 4c 00
42 77 00
42 3d c2
42 4b 09
42 c9 60
42 41 38
42 56 40
;
42 34 11
42 3b 0a
42 a4 88
42 96 00
42 97 30
42 98 20
42 99 30
42 9a 84
42 9b 29
42 9c 03
42 9d 98
42 9e 3f
42 78 04
;
42 79 01
42 c8 f0
42 79 0f
42 c8 00
42 79 10
42 c8 7e
42 79 0a
42 c8 80
42 79 0b
42 c8 01
42 79 0c
42 c8 0f
42 79 0d
42 c8 20
42 79 09
42 c8 80
42 79 02
42 c8 c0
42 79 03
42 c8 40
42 79 05
42 c8 30
42 79 26
42 2d 00
42 2e 00

13.2 RGB raw

; OV7670 setting, June 6, 2005
; Bayer Raw, VGA
; 25fps @ 24MHz input clock
;
42 12 80
;
42 11 01
42 3a 04
42 12 01
42 17 12
42 18 00
42 32 b6
42 19 02
42 1a 7a
42 03 00
42 0c 00
42 3e 00
42 70 3a
42 71 35
42 72 11
42 73 f0
42 a2 02
;
42 13 e0
42 00 00
42 10 00
42 0d 40
42 14 38
42 a5 07
42 ab 08
42 24 95
42 25 33
42 26 e3
42 9f 78
42 a0 68
42 a1 0b
42 a6 d8
42 a7 d8
42 a8 f0
42 a9 90
42 aa 94
42 13 e5
;
42 0e 61
42 0f 4b
42 16 02
42 21 02
42 22 91
42 29 07
42 33 03

42 35 0b
42 37 1c
42 38 71
42 3c 78
42 3d 08
42 41 3a
42 4d 40
42 4e 20
42 69 55
42 6b 4a
42 74 19
42 76 61
42 8d 4f
42 8e 00
42 8f 00
42 90 00
42 91 00
42 96 00
42 9a 80
42 b0 8c
42 b1 0c
42 b2 0e
42 b3 82
42 b8 0a
;
42 43 14
42 44 f0
42 45 34
42 46 58
42 47 28
42 48 3a
42 59 88
42 5a 88
42 5b 44
42 5c 67
42 5d 49
42 5e 0e
42 6c 0a
42 6d 55
42 6e 11
42 6f 9f
42 6a 40
42 01 40
42 02 40
42 13 e7
;
42 34 11
42 92 66
42 3b 0a
42 a4 88
42 96 00
42 97 30

42 98 20
42 99 20
42 9a 84
42 9b 29
42 9c 03
42 9d 4c
42 9e 3f
42 78 04
;
42 79 01
42 c8 f0
42 79 0f
42 c8 20
42 79 10
42 c8 7e
42 79 0b
42 c8 01
42 79 0c
42 c8 07
42 79 0d
42 c8 20
42 79 09
42 c8 80
42 79 02
42 c8 c0
42 79 03
42 c8 40
42 79 05
42 c8 30
42 79 26
RGB565
contact OmniVision local FAE