Toshiba has launced a 13-megapixel BSI CMOS image sensor that allows smartphones and tablets to record full HD video at 240 equivalent frames per second. The Toshiba "T4K82" imager incorporates “Bright Mode” technology that boosts imaged brightness up to four times, and adopts a newly developed low power circuit design that reduces power consumption to 82% that of “T4K37”, a 13-megapixel sensor in mass production. Sampling is scheduled to start in March.

Toshiba Press Release

Toshiba Launches 13 Megapixel CMOS Image Sensor with High Speed Video Technology

Allows Smartphones and Tablets to Record 240 fps Equivalent Full HD Video

TOKYO -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) today announced the launch of “T4K82”, a 13-megapixel BSI1CMOS image sensor that allows smartphones and tablets to record full HD video at 240 equivalent frames per second (fps), the industry’s highest2 frame rate. Sample shipments are scheduled to start in March.

High speed video recording requires a high frame rate with short exposure time, resulting in underexposed images. “T4K82” incorporates “Bright Mode” technology that boosts imaged brightness up to four times, realizing full HD video capture at 240 fps equivalent. The new sensor allows smartphones and tablets to record high quality, high speed video, and to offer extended imaging functions including smooth slow motion playback and high speed continuous shooting.

The sensor also adopts a newly developed low power circuit design that reduces power consumption to 82% that of “T4K37”, a 13-megapixel sensor in mass production3.

About “Bright Mode”
“Bright Mode” technology secures double the exposure time by adopting interlaced4 video output, not the progressive5 output that standard CMOS sensors use. "Bright Mode" also employs charge binning6, which doubles the electrical charge of each pixel, resulting in an image four times brighter than that from a CMOS sensor without "Bright Mode". Toshiba will also provide an interlace-progressive conversion program that enables users to offer high quality progressive video with low image deterioration, without changing the frame rate.

[1] BSI: Back Side Illumination.
[2] Research by Toshiba, as of February 20, 2014.
[3] Compared with “T4K37”
[4] Interlaced video system divides frame data into odd horizontal lines in a frame (odd field) and even horizontal lines in a frame (even field), and outputs each field by turns.
[5] Sequential scan system that outputs data of all pixels in each frame.
[6] Doubling the electrical charge of the pixel by putting the electrical charge of two pixels together, when the image is downsized by half.

For further information about this product, please visit:

http://www.semicon.toshiba.co.jp/info/lookup.jsp?pid=T4K82&lang=en

For further information about “Bright mode”, please visit:
http://www.semicon.toshiba.co.jp/eng/product/sensor/cmos/bright/index.html

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