CIE Components in Electronics
Toshiba Electronics Europe (TEE) has rolled out the latest addition to its 1.12-micron back-side illuminated CMOS image sensor (CIS) solutions which enables high-performance image capture and video recording for handheld mobile devices. The T4KA3 8-megapixel (MP) sensor has been designed for midrange smartphones, tablets and action cameras with 720p resolution, enabling HD video capture at an industry-high rate of 240 equivalent frames per second (fps).
The T4KA3 operates at 15 per cent lower power and is significantly smaller in area than Toshiba’s previous 8MP sensor, making it one of the world’s smallest chips at this pixel count and enabling the development of smaller camera modules. In addition, the new product incorporates Toshiba Bright Mode technology, which boosts image brightness by up to four times. This capability enables users to continuously record and smoothly play back video on their handheld devices at an fps rate twice that achievable without Bright Mode.
Another key feature of the T4KA3 is High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology. While non-HDR cameras take pictures at one exposure level with limited contrast range, losing detail in bright or dark areas of a picture, HDR takes multiple pictures at different exposure levels and intelligently stitches them together. The result is a picture with better image quality and brighter, more natural looking colours. Toshiba’s alternate-row, dual-exposure HDR also reduces motion artefacts and eliminates frame buffer requirements without compromising frame resolution or speed.
Optical format of the T4KA3 is 1/4 inch, and pixel count is 3280 (H) x 2464 (V). The sensor has 8Kbit one-time-programmable (OTP) memory for automatically storing two settings of lens shading correction data, and the setting can be quickly changed with a single command to accommodate changing light conditions.
The first product in the series, the 13MP T4K82, was announced earlier this year. It also features both Bright Mode and HDR technology, and enables 240 fps HD video capture for higher-end mobile devices with 1080p resolution.
