Toshiba's 2MP Sensor for Vehicles Mitigates LED Flicker

BusinessWire, PRNewswire: Toshiba announces that it has developed a new 2MP CMOS sensor for automotive cameras, CSA02M00PB, equipped with the industry’s first LED flicker mitigation function (first for 2MP sensors). Sample shipments start in March, 2016.

The new 2MP sensor is equipped with Toshiba’s original 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 sensors, the output images often flickers, preventing an accurate sensing function. Toshiba’s new sensor mitigates the flicker and delivers clear images for faster, more accurate image sensing.

The sensor also adopts Toshiba’s original next-generation HDR system and BSI process. Toshiba’s next-generation HDR system uses the company’s single frame method for clear images free of the degraded resolution and blown-out highlights typical of high contrast-light conditions. Later in the PR, Toshiba talks about different exposure times in a frame: "The maximum frame rate may change per operating conditions specified. Exposure condition 1 assumes 2 different exposure times in a frame; exposure condition 2 assumes 3."

The BSI process is said to be first brought to automotive image sensors by Toshiba. In July 2015, ON Semi too announced its automotive BSI sensor.

The new sensor integrates functions to meet the requirements of ASIL, the Automotive Safety Integrity Level intended to protect life, and supports failure detection, report flagging and control of vehicles. It is also compliant with AEC-Q100 (Grade 2) and is suited both for front end sensing cameras for the ADAS and the latest viewing applications, such as e-Mirror and CMS (Camera Monitor System).

Toshiba foresees three-fold growth in the automotive CMOS image sensor market in the period to 2020. Toshiba will continue to develop its automotive CMOS sensor business to fully meet expanding market requirements.