Toshiba Releases 16 Megapixel CMOS Image Sensor for Smartphones and Tablets

- The world’s smallest class 16 megapixel chip also offers low power consumption -

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) today announced the launch of “T4KC3”, a 16 megapixel(MP) BSI CMOS image sensor. Sample shipments are scheduled to start in September this year.

In the mobile device market, manufacturers constantly target a small form factor; a thinner final product. Toshiba is meeting this need with a design method, already deployed in current products^[1], that realizes smaller CMOS sensor chips and low-power circuits. That method has now resulted in the world’s smallest class 16MP chip^[2], which also realizes 30fps at full-resolution output with power consumption of 240mW or lower.

The functional range of the new sensor supports users in capturing beautiful images and movies. Phase-Detection Auto-Focus (PDAF), recently embedded in SLR cameras, achieves quick focusing that surpasses conventional auto-focusing, and makes it easier for mobile devices to capture high quality images and movies.

“T4KC3” also incorporates Toshiba’s Bright Mode technology, which boosts image brightness up to four times and enables HD video capture at 240fps equivalent, and supports high dynamic range (HDR) to capture natural images of scenes with a high contrast ratio, ending the problem of over- and underexposed images.

Additionally the new sensor incorporates 16Kbit OTP^[3], which can store lens shading correction data for four conditions at maximum, such as indoors and outdoors, daylight and sunset. Settings can be switched with a simple command.

Toshiba products allow smartphones and tablets to record high quality video at high frame rates, contribute to smaller form factors and extended imaging functions, while achieving reductions in module size, power consumption and part counts in the camera module, opening the way to the design of thinner mobile devices.

Key Features

• The world’s smallest class 16MP BSI CMOS image sensor.
• Low power circuit design that reduces power consumption, realizing 30fps at full-resolution output with power consumption of 240mW or lower.
• Quick focusing with PDAF.
• HD video capture at 240fps.
• “Bright Mode” technology to boost image brightness up to four times.
• Natural image capturing by HDR under high contrast conditions.

Main Specifications
Part Number	T4KC3
Output Pixels	16 megapixels
Optical Size	1/2.7 inch
Pixel Pitch	1.12 micrometer BSI
Preferred Module Size	8.5 mm x 8.5 mm (Auto focus type)
Sample Price	1,700 yen
Mass Production Schedule	December, 2015
Mass Production Volume	2 million units per month

Output Frame Rate (Max.)
Sensor output mode (Output pixels)	Normal mode (Progressive output)	Bright mode (Interlaced output) (After progressive conversion processing)
16 M (4624 x 3472)	30 fps	－
4K2K (4000 x 2160)	30 fps	－
Full-HD (Crop & Binning:1920 ×1080)	60 fps	－
HD (Crop & Binning:1280 × 720)	120 fps	240 fps

[1]	The design method is also used in the current “T4KA3” and “T4KB3”.
[2]	Toshiba survey, as of July 16, 2015.
[3]	OTP: One Time Programmable memory.

For further information about this product, please visit:
http://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/info/lookup.jsp?pid=T4KC3&region=apc&lang=en

For further information about functionalities, please visit:

PDAF:
http://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/ap-en/product/sensor/cmos-sensor/tech-pdaf.html

Bright Mode:
http://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/ap-en/product/sensor/cmos-sensor/tech-brightmode.html

HDR:
http://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/ap-en/product/sensor/cmos-sensor/tech-hdr.html

Customer Inquiries:
Image Sensor Sales & Marketing Department
Tel: [phone]
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