TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) today announced the launch of “T4KB3”, a 13 megapixel BSI^[1] CMOS image sensor with the optical format of 1/3.07 inch for smartphones and tablets. Sample shipments start today.

In the market for mobile devices, a constant target for manufacturers is a small form factor; a final product that is thinner and lower in volume than products from other companies. Toshiba is meeting this need with a new design method that delivers smaller CMOS sensor chips.

The new design methodology helps to reduce the power consumption of the new 13 megapixel sensor to 53% of Toshiba’s sensor currently in mass production^[2], to 200mW or less at 30fps. “T4KB3” is also world’s smallest class 13 megapixel sensor^[3].

Short exposure time caused by high frame rate in high speed video recording usually produces underexposed images. “T4KB3”, however, uses “Bright Mode” technology to boost image brightness up to four times while realizing Full-HD video capture at 120fps equivalent.

The sensor incorporates 8Kbit of one-time-programmable (OTP) memory that can store lens shading correction data for two conditions; correction data for indoors and for outdoors, for example, which have different light profiles. These conditions can be separately applied to image correction, and users can switch from one to the other with a simple command for better image capture.

Integration of the sensor into smartphones and tablets will allow them to record high quality video at high speed, which extends imaging capabilities into such areas as slow motion replay. Reductions in module size and power consumption will contribute to smaller, thinner camera modules with a smaller form factor.

Applications

• Smartphones and tablets

Key Features

• Low power circuit design to reduce power consumption to 53% that of Toshiba current product.
• The world’s smallest class in chip size for 13 megapixel CMOS image sensor^[3].
• HD video capture at 120fps
• “Bright Mode” technology to boost image brightness up to four times.

Note:
[1] BSI: Back Side Illumination.
[2] Compared with “T4K82”.
[3] Toshiba survey, as of March 2, 2015.

For further information about “Bright Mode”, please visit:
http://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/ap-en/product/sensor/cmos-sensor/tech-brightmode.html

Customer Inquiries:
Image Sensor Sales & Marketing Department
Tel: +81-3-3457-3370
http://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/ap-en/contact.html

* Information in this document, including product prices and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current on the date of the announcement but is subject to change without prior notice.

About Toshiba

Toshiba Corporation, a Fortune Global 500 company, channels world-class capabilities in advanced electronic and electrical product and systems into five strategic business domains: Energy & Infrastructure, Community Solutions, Healthcare Systems & Services, Electronic Devices & Components, and Lifestyles Products & Services. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future”, Toshiba promotes global operations towards securing “Growth Through Creativity and Innovation”, and is contributing to the achievement of a world in which people everywhere live in safe, secure and comfortable society.

Founded in Tokyo in 1875, today’s Toshiba is at the heart of a global network of over 590 consolidated companies employing over 200,000 people worldwide, with annual sales surpassing 6.5 trillion yen (US$63 billion).
To find out more about Toshiba, visit www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm

Contacts

Media Inquiries:
Toshiba Corporation
Semiconductor & Storage Products Company
Chiaki Nagasawa, +81-3-3457-4963
semicon-NR-mailbox@ml.toshiba.co.jp