Toshiba is a leader in advanced CMOS image sensor technology. The Toshiba CMOS image sensors employ a low-noise pixel structure that achieves high-picture quality with low-power consumption, even in low-light conditions for camera phones and other mobile applications. The latest technologies now available from Toshiba include High Dynamic Range (HDR) for more detail in dark and light areas; Color Noise Reduction (CNR) for truer colors; backside illumination (BSI) for better image quality even in low-light conditions.

High Dynamic Range Better image quality More detail in dark and light areas Truer colors with a wider range of intensity

Video Showing Benefits of High Dynamic Range - click image

Non-HDR cameras take pictures at one exposure level with limited contrast range, which results in the loss of detail in the bright or dark areas of a picture, depending on the setting of the camera. HDR compensates for this loss of detail by taking multiple pictures at different exposure levels and intelligently stitching them together to produce a picture that is representative in both dark and bright area.

The Toshiba image sensors employ an alternate-row, dual exposure HDR technology, which not only significantly improves dynamic range, but also reduces motion artifacts and eliminates frame buffer requirement without compromising frame resolution or speed. The Toshiba HDR solution offers a powerful tool for various scene options and optimal user experience.

• Improves signal to noise ratio
• Better image quality
• Truer colors

As pixel size decreases due to miniaturization in today's image sensors light sensitivity has decreased resulting in signal noise, which appears as color speckles reducing image quality. However, when integrating a color noise reduction (CNR) filter with backside illumination (BSI) technology optimum image quality results. For example, the Toshiba T4K37 CMOS image sensor with a 1.12 micrometer pixel and CNR provides approximately 1.5* times higher signal to noise ratio (SNR ) value than a 1.12 micrometer pixel image sensor without CNR and also provides an SNR value equivalent to a 1.4 micrometer pixel image sensor without CNR.

*Based upon Toshiba measurements

• Better light absorption
• Increased light sensitivity
• Combined with CNR for optimum image quality

As pixel sizes shrink there is a reduction in the amount of light available to be captured by the photodiodes. BSI solves this problem by deploying lenses on the silicon substrate behind the sensor and not on the front where wiring interferes with light absorption. "Backside" positioning boosts light sensitivity and absorption by 40% compared to conventional technologies, and allows formation of finer image pixels. Toshiba has made full use of the advantages of BSI to realize image pixels with a pitch of 1.12 microns, and to pack 13.1 million of them into a 1/3.07-inch optical format sensor that meets high level imaging and processing requirements. Toshiba will continue to offer image sensors with smaller and smaller pixel sizes that utilize BSI technology bringing a new level of quality and smaller form factor to mobile phone applications.

Today's CMOS image sensors are making 360° surround viewing possible and play an important role in vehicle safety and comfort. The ability to check your blind spot, have better night vision, and perform safer parallel parking, as well as automatic headlight diming, pedestrian detection, and lane departure are compelling vehicle features. That's why it is essential to choose the best product and vendor for your image sensor purchase.

Toshiba is a major worldwide producer of image sensor technology with more than 25 years of experience in image sensor design and offers many advanced technologies including High Dynamic Range (HDR) for clear images even in low-light conditions. The company utilizes a proprietary square-pixel design that enables exceptionally high-quality images with low-power consumption. Toshiba sensors can be used in combination with the Toshiba Visconti® image recognition processor ICs for camera based vision systems in advance driver assistance systems (ADAS).

Toshiba's family of CMOS Image sensors have built-in reliability, integrate advanced technologies and support features specifically created for camera-enabled automotive systems. As a design engineer you are involved in many aspects of concept, design and development with more demands than ever on your time and resources. Picking a sensor that can provide the needed reliability and breakthrough technologies for camera-enable automotive systems can help speed time to market for your next vehicle and ensure high-quality images in a variety of lighting conditions.

Sensing
Sensors are used in a variety of embedded systems throughout the automobile to detect a range of conditions by automatically sensing data and controlling specific functions to prevent hazards and improve the driving experience.

• Lane departure
• Road sign detection
• Pedestrian detection
• Airbag sensing
• Blind spot detection
• Collision detection
• Rain detection

Viewing

Numerous sensors can be placed through the automobile to provide information to the driver using easy-viewing dashboard and other types of displays. The driver can then quickly respond to this data to make important driving decisions.

• 360° surround viewing
• Parking assistance
• Improved night viewing and vision
• Backseat viewing

• Reliable, long-term 24/7 operation.
• Optimum viewing in various light and operating conditions.
• Excellent light stabilization features and low-light sensitivity.
• 100dB high dynamic range.
• Fast frame rates (60 fps).
• HDR delivers high-resolution picture quality in low-to-bright light conditions.
• Elevated operating temperatures to 85 degrees Centigrade.
• CNR for enhanced low-light performance.

• Better image quality
• More detail in dark and light areas
• Truer colors with a wider range of intensity

Video Showing Parking Space - click image


Video Showing Tunnel - click image

TC5117PL

• The TC5117PL is a full HD (1080p) CMOS image sensor that offers industry-leading high dynamic range, fast frame rates and optimum viewing in high-contrast light conditions.
• Toshiba's single-frame, alternate-row, dual-exposure HDR implementation in the TCM5117PL is well suited for capturing fast-moving objects compared to conventional multi-frame systems.
• With frame rates at 30 fps for conventional multi-frame systems, the single-frame approach, at 60 fps, promotes faster, less blurry and higher-quality images especially in high-contrast light conditions.
• The 2.7 um pixel size of the TCM5117PL is highly sensitive, and therefore offers better visibility and color-rich images in low-luminescent environments.
• In addition, the TCM5117PL is designed for long-term use, operating 24 hours a day.
• The TCM5117PL has a 3.3±0.3V single-power supply and comes in a 10.5 x10.0 mm P-FLGA80 package. The device supports RAW10/RAW12 data formats.

• The TC5114PL is a VGA CMOS image sensor and offers industry-leading high dynamic range, fast frame rates and optimum car display viewing.
• The TCM5114PL image sensor has excellent dynamic range of 100dB at 60 fps for VGA.
• With the combination of large 5.6 µm pixel, 640 (H) x 480 (V) array, integrated ISP and HDR functions, the TCM5114PL enables optimal images in low-light conditions, difficult with conventional sensors.
• The high sensitivity of the sensor (>6V/lx-s) provides better quality images at very low luminescence levels.
• The TCM5114PL has both a digital and analog (NTSC/PAL) interface so it can connect to currently available display panels. The device supports YUV422/RGB565/ RGB888/ RAW10/RAW12 data formats.