One of the world’s smallest chips, realizing low power consumption

TOKYO — (BUSINESS WIRE) — April 23, 2015 — Toshiba Corporation's (TOKYO:6502) Semiconductor & Storage Products Company today announced the launch of “T4KB3”, a 13-megapixel (MP) BSI^[1] CMOS image sensor with the optical format of 1/3.07 inch that offers makers of smartphones and tablets lower power consumption and a smaller chip size. Mass production shipments start today.

Toshiba: 13-megapixel BSI CMOS image sensor "T4KB3" for smartphones and tablets (Photo: Business Wire)

A new design methodology helps to reduce the power consumption of the new sensor to 200mW, or less at 30fps, 53% that of Toshiba’s sensor now in mass production^[2]. The chip is also in the world’s smallest class of 13MP sensors^[3], about 24% smaller than Toshiba’s current 13MP sensor^[2], and “T4KB3” is world’s smallest class 13MP sensor ^[3].

The new sensor also deploys “Bright Mode” technology that captures bright video images at high frame rates, realizing Full-HD video capture at 120fps equivalent.

The new CMOS sensor positions Toshiba to contribute to the realization of smaller form-factor camera modules and thinner mobile devices.

Applications

• Smartphones and tablets

Key Features

• Low power circuit design reduces power consumption to 53% of Toshiba’s current product
• In the world’s smallest class of chip size for 13MP CMOS image sensors^[3]
• Full-HD video capture at 120fps equivalent
• “Bright Mode” technology that captures bright video images at high frame rates