Development of World’s First Stacked CMOS Image Sensor by SONY
Sony has announced the release of industry’s first CMOS image sensor which has been developed based on newly stacked structure. The three new models of the “EXmor RS”, will be used in smartphone and tablets capable of delivering superior image quality combined with advanced functionality all in a compact size. At the same time Sony will launch three related imaging modules which would incorporate these sensors. The stack structure in “ExmoreRS” layers the pixel section, containing formations of back-illuminated pixels over the chip affixed with mounted circuits for signal processing. Two of the three “Exmore RS” models launched by Sony are the IMX135, which is a 1/3.06 model with 13.13 effective megapixels and the IMX134, a 1/4 model type with 8.08 effective megapixels featuring RGBW coding function as well as HDR (High Dynamic Range) movie function. Read more
World’s First True Green Semiconductor Laser Diode with output power of over 100mW
Up to now, a typical green laser is generated through wavelength conversion of infrared laser light from a light source using optical materials; however the light source is large and pricy. Furthermore, conventional GaN based green lasers have difficulties achieving sufficient luminosity as their performance is limited to an output power of several tens of milliwatt at a wavelength of 520 nm or less. To overcome these technical issues, Sumitomo Electric and Sony have jointly developed world’s first true green semiconductor laser diode with output power of over 100 mW at 530 nm by using a semi-polar GaN substrate by improving the production techniques. One of the distinguishing feature of the new laser diode is that a semi-polar {2021} GaN substrate plane is tilted 75 degrees in comparison to the conventional GaN crystal c-plane, resulting in sustainable production of homogenous indium based active layers, leading to the successful growth of a high quality light-emitting layer. Read more
Sony’s Next-Generation Optical Disc Archive Storage System
Sony has announced the commercialization of a next-generation optical disc archive storage system using media built to withstand changes in temperature and humidity. The new system is capable of delivering long-term storage without any needs to re-archive copies of past archived data. Creating such system requires backing of industry leader, so Sony will also organize an Optical Disc Archive Advisory Group to promote the adoption of this new storage format among various companies in related industries. Read more
Development of Industry’s First 130db Wide Dynamic Range Signal processing LSI by SONY
Sony has announced the development of industry’s first 130db wide dynamic range in HD quality signal processing LSI. The new “IPELA Engine” is capable of providing industry’s highest level of picture quality at 30 frames per second. This level of picture quality has been achieved through combination of Sony’s newly developed integrated signal processing system for high picture quality and its new “Exmor” CMOS image sensor, which has enabled further acceleration in signal readout and enhanced noise reduction. Read more
Development of TransferJet Compatible LSI with World’s Highest Receiving Sensitivity by SONY
Sony recently announced the development and commercialization of TransferJet ™ compatible LSI capable of 350Mbps transmission speed and industry’s highest receiving sensitivity. The newly developed “CXD3271GW” for use in close proximity wireless transfer technology in addition to its high-speed transmission capability and high receiving sensitivity, also contribute to reduced power consumption as well as reduced part counts and smaller sizing of the mobile set such as smartphones. The new LSI supports high-speed SDIO UHS-I as its host interface and introduces a new device driver design for providing a smooth and high-speed communications environment. Sony will provide an Android based SDK to facilitate the LSI’s implementation in Android base devices and SKD for Linux based devices. Sony is planning to start shipment by August 2012 and setting sample pricing at 500 JPY per unit.
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Development of Low-Power Wireless LSI with World’s Fastest Data Transfer Rate
Sony and Tokyo Institute of Technology have jointly developed a radio frequency (RF) LSI and a baseband (BB) LSI based on millimeter-wave wireless data transfer capable of data transfer rate of 6.3 Gb/s, world’s fastest. In this joint development Sony’s contribution was in designing the digital parts of the BB LSI as well as the development of the chip unit as a whole, while the Tokyo Institute of Technology contribution was in designing the RF LSI and the analog parts of the BB LSI. Sony is effort in high-efficiency and high-integrity of the rate-14/15 Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) error-correcting code has resulted in decreased amount of redundant data required for error correction, which enabled LDPC decoding at the world’s lowest per-bit energy efficiency of 11.8 pJ/b (74 mW at 6.3 Gb/s). Read more
Development of two New “RGBW Coding” and “HDR Movie” Functionality for Sony’s Newly developed Stack-Structured CMOS Image Sensor.
Sony has announced the development of two new functionality, one the “RGBW Coding” and other “HDR (High Dynamic Range) Movie” to be implemented into Sony’s newly developed stacked-structured CMOS image sensors. The “RGBW Coding” function will allow images to be captured with low noise and high picture quality even in low-light conditions, while the “HDR Movie” function will provide brilliant color to be captured even in bright settings. The built-in “RGBW Coding” function will add W (white) pixels to the conventional range of RGB pixels resulting in higher sensitivity. Read more
Development of Back-Illuminated Stacked Structure CMOS Image Sensor by SONY
Conventional CMOS image sensors have been designed in a way where the mounted pixel section and analog logic circuit are on top of the same chip, which requires overcoming numerous constraints when mounting a large scale circuits. Such constraints as measures to counter the circuit scale and chip size, measure to suppress noise caused by the layout of the pixel and circuit section as well as optimizing the characteristics of pixel and circuit transistors. To overcome these constraints, Sony has developed a back-illuminated COMS image sensor with a structure that layers the pixel section, containing formations of back-illuminated structure pixels over the chip affixed with mounted circuit for signal processing. Through use of this stack structure will make it possible to mount large-scale circuits while keeping the chip size small. Read more
Release of Google TV-based Network Media Player and Blu-ray Disc Player by SONY
Pioneering Internet connected TV with introduction of Google TV platform product back in 2010, Sony announced the launch of a new network media player and blu-ray disc player which are powered by Google TV, which will start in North America and Europe. The new “NSZ-GS7” Network Media Player and “NSZ-GP9” Blu-ray Disc Player can be connected via HDMI to TV, allowing user to seamlessly watch TV broadcast, enjoy multitude of applications and browsing the internet. Read more
[CES] Development of Next Generation Self-Emitting “Crystal LED Display” by SONY
Sony has announced the development of a Full HD 55-Inch prototype of next-generation self-emitting display. The newly “Crystal LED Display” has been developed based on Sony’s proprietary method for mounting ultrafine LEDs in each of RGB colors, equivalent to number of pixels which is approximately 6 million LEDs for Full HD. The RGB LED light source is mounted directly on the front of the display resulting in improved light use efficiency. Read more
