New Cameraphone Chip Allows Photos in Dim Lighting

Toshiba says that it has developed Dynastron-WD wide dynamic range technology for CMOS image sensors used in mobile-handset applications such as cameraphones. This new innovation can extend the dynamic range of a CMOS image sensor up to 96 decibels (dB) maximum, compared to the 60dB dynamic range of the current Toshiba Dynastron technology. Toshiba Dynastron-WD CMOS image sensors can capture high-quality image details over the entire tonal range, even in low-light or bright-light conditions.

The company plans to launch its first products based on the new technology in the second half of 2007.

"Toshiba Dynastron-WD wide dynamic range technology is an industry-leading innovation that exemplifies the company's commitment to customers building the next generation of mobile handsets. This technology achievement will enable the design of camera phones with superior tonal quality to meet increased consumer demand for higher performance," said Andrew Burt, vice president of the Imaging and Communications Marketing Group for the ASSP Business Unit at TAEC.

"Previously, image-sensor vendors concentrated on delivering good low-light performance. However, as pixel size shrinks to 2.2 microns and below, there is an emerging need for better image quality under bright-light conditions as well," Mr. Burt said. He explained that conventional CMOS image sensors could not cover the whole tonal range of an image and image details were lost. For example, he said, when shooting a well-lit subject near a doorway or by a window exposed to direct sunlight, dark parts became deep shadows or bright parts of the scene bleached out. With wider dynamic range of 72dB to 96dB, Toshiba Dynastron-WD CMOS image sensors overcome these clipping artifacts and capture more image detail than conventional CMOS image sensors."

Posted to the site on 8th March 2007