Toshiba Expands Lineup of Phase Detection Auto-Focus-equipped CMOS Image Sensors for Smartphones and Tablets

TOKYO--()--Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) today announced details of the full line-up of its new series of high performance BSI CMOS image sensors equipped with Phase Detection Auto-Focus (PDAF)[1]. Following on from the already announced 16-megapixel(MP) T4KC3-121[2], the company has unveiled 8MP (T4KA3-121), 13MP (T4KB3-121) and 20MP (T4KA7-121) sensors. Sample shipments of devices in the series will start in August, and they will be rolled out in turn.

Originally developed for SLR cameras, PDAF locks in focus at speeds much faster than the auto-focus systems used in smartphones and tablets. This is driving demand for PDAF on those platforms.

In addition to securing high-speed focus of still and moving objects, for needle-sharp, natural images and movies, the new CMOS image sensors also make it possible to create even thinner smartphones and mobile devices: Toshiba’s PDAF does not require a space for an AF sensor in the camera module, as they are embedded in the CMOS image sensor itself.

Toshiba’s main goal with its new line-up of CMOS image sensors is to empower users to capture beautiful images and movies. Toward this, in addition to PDAF, all models support Toshiba’s Bright Mode[3], high speed image capturing and HDR[4]. They also achieve low power consumption and are in the world’s smallest class of chip size[5].

 

Main Specifications

Part Number   T4KA3-121   T4KB3-121   T4KC3-121   T4KA7-121
Output Pixels 8 megapixel 13 megapixel 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Optical Size 1/4 inch 1/3.07 inch 1/2.78 inch 1/2.4 inch
Pixel Pitch BSI 1.12micro-meter
PDAF

O

O

O

O

Maximum

Output

Frame

(fps)

 

Normal mode[6]

30fps @8M
60fps @Full-HD
120fps @HD
200fps @WVGA

30fps @13M
30fps @4K2K
60fps @Full-HD
120fps @HD

30fps @16M
30fps @4K2K
60fps @Full-HD
120fps @HD

22fps @20M
24fps @18.8M
28fps @16.3M

Bright mode[7]

240fps @HD 120fps @Full-HD 120fps @Full-HD

-

HDR

O

O

O

-

Power Consumption [8]

140 mW 170 mW 240 mW 440mW
Reference Camera Module Size

8.5 mm x 8.5 mm
(Auto-focus type)
6.5 mm x 6.5 mm
(Fixed focus type)

8.5 mm x 8.5 mm
(Auto-focus type)
6.7 mm x 6.7 mm
(Fixed focus type)

8.5 mm x 8.5 mm
(Auto-focus type)

10.5 mm x 12.0 mm
(Auto-focus type)

Sample Price 1,500 yen 1,600 yen 1,700 yen 2,500 yen
Sample Shipment Schedule August 17, 2015 August 3, 2015 August 11, 2015 October, 2015
Mass Production Schedule December, 2015 November, 2015 December, 2015 March, 2016
Mass Production volume   6 million units

a month

  4 million units

a month

  2 million units

a month

  500,000 units

a month

 
[1]   Phase Detection Auto-Focus (PDAF)

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

[2] The part number for 16 MP CMOS image sensor with PDAF, originally announced as T4KC3, is now T4KC3-121. T4KC3 will be used as the part number for a 16 MP CMOS image sensor without PDAF.
[3] Bright Mode

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

[4] High Dynamic Range (HDR)

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

[5] Toshiba survey, as of July 30, 2015.
[6] Frame rate of progressive output.
[7] Frame rate of interlaced output after progressive conversion processing.
[8] Reference power consumption at the full pixel output operation in LP mode.
 

For further information about these products, please visit:
http://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/info/lookup.jsp?pid=T4KA3-121&region=apc&lang=en
http://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/info/lookup.jsp?pid=T4KB3-121&region=apc&lang=en
http://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/info/lookup.jsp?pid=T4KC3-121&region=apc&lang=en
http://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/info/lookup.jsp?pid=T4KA7-121&region=apc&lang=en

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

Release Summary

Toshiba unveils details of the full line-up of its new series of high performance BSI CMOS image sensors equipped with Phase Detection Auto-Focus(PDAF).

Contacts

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