Toshiba America Electronic has unveiled its newest CMOS image sensor for automotive cameras.
The CSA02M00PB is the industry's first 2-megapixel (MP) CMOS image sensor to be equipped with LED flicker (pulsed LED) mitigation circuit to minimize image flicker caused by LED light sources. When recording LED traffic lights and signs with conventional CMOS image sensors, the output image often flickers, hindering sensing accuracy. Toshiba designed the CSA02M00PB to curtail this flickering and deliver clearer images for faster, more accurate image sensing.
The new sensor integrates Toshiba's next-generation High Dynamic Range (HDR) system and backside illumination (BSI) process, which together enable recording of high-precision images. The HDR system uses Toshiba's single-frame method to achieve clear images free of the degraded resolution and blown-out highlights typical of high contrast-light conditions. The BSI process, first1brought to 2MP automotive image sensors by Toshiba, makes it possible to shoot brighter pictures with higher image quality in low light conditions.
Also of key value is the sensor's ability to meet the requirements of Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL), a risk classification scheme defined by ISO 26262 (the Functional Safety for Road Vehicles standard intended to protect life), and support failure detection, report flagging and control of vehicles. It is also compliant with AEC-Q100 (Grade 2) and is suited for both ADAS front-end sensing cameras and the latest viewing applications, such as e-Mirror5 applications and camera monitor systems.
"With concerns for road safety continuing to escalate, ADAS technology is growing rapidly, and will be further spurred by future advances in driverless cars," said Andrew Burt, vice president of the Image Sensor Business Unit, System LSI Group at TAEC.
"Based on our internal estimates, Toshiba foresees three-fold growth in the automotive CMOS image sensor market by 2020. We look forward to collaborating with leaders in the automotive industry to continue developing CMOS image sensor business to fully meet the expanding requirements of this market."
The CSA02M00PB features 3-micrometer BSI pixel size and an optical size of 1/2.7 inch. Image output ranges from 45 to 60 frames per second (fps), depending on the HDR exposure condition. Housed in 9x9 mm PBGA package, the sensor features full-HD output resolution of 1928(H) x 1084(V) and dynamic range of 120dB (by Toshiba calculation) with HDR. The MIPI CSI-2 serial interface facilitates the sensor's integration into end products.
