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`Home > About Sony > Corporate Info > News Releases > 2012 > Sony Develops “Exmor RS,” the World's First*1 Stacked CMOS Image Sensor Also introduces
`imaging modules that deliver high picture quality and compact size, for use in mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets
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`The following information is true and accurate at the time of publication.
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`August 20, 2012
`
`Sony Develops “Exmor RS,” the World's First*1 Stacked CMOS Image Sensor
`Also introduces imaging modules that deliver high picture quality and compact size,
`for use in mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets
`- Sony Continues to Advance the Evolution of World of Digital Imaging -
`
`Please refer to “Specification changes to Stacked CMOS Image Sensors and Imaging Modules” for updated information.
`
`*1 As of August 20, 2012
`August 20, 2012, Tokyo, Japan - Sony Corporation (“Sony”) today announced the commercialization of “Exmor RS,” the world's first(*1)
`CMOS image sensor incorporating a unique, newly-developed ‘stacked structure.’ Shipments will commence in October. Sony is
`introducing three models of the “Exmor RS,” stacked CMOS image sensor, for use in smartphones and tablets, which combine superior
`image quality and advanced functionality with compact size. Sony will also launch three corresponding imaging modules incorporating
`these sensors.
`Going forward, Sony will continue to evolve its digital imaging products, while aggressively pursuing the further development and
`expansion of its core “Exmor RS” stacked CMOS image sensor technologies and lineup, in order to deliver increasingly diverse and user-
`friendly image capturing experiences.
`
`Above: Imaging modules (left to right): the 'IU135F3-Z,' 'IU134F9-Z' and 'IUS014F-Z'
`Below: "Exmor RS" stacked CMOS image sensors (left to right): 'IMX135,' 'IMX134' and 'ISX014'
`
`The “Exmor RS” is a CMOS image sensor that adopts a
`unique ‘stacked structure.’ This structure layers the pixel
`section, containing formations of back-illuminated pixels over
`the chip affixed with mounted circuits for signal processing,
`in place of conventional supporting substrates used for
`back-illuminated CMOS image sensors.
`
`Structural diagram of conventional back-
`illuminated CMOS image sensor
`
`Structural diagram of the "Exmor RS"
`stacked CMOS image sensor
`
`http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201208/12-107E/
`
`3/30/2015
`
`Sony Corp. v. Raytheon Co.
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`Sony Global - News Releases - Sony Develops "Exmor RS," the World's First*1 Stacked ...
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`Page 2 of 5
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`Two of the three “Exmor RS” models Sony is launching are the ‘IMX135’, a type 1/3.06 model with 13.13 effective megapixels and the
`‘IMX134’, a type 1/4 model with 8.08 effective megapixels, which feature ‘RGBW coding’ function and ‘HDR (High Dynamic Range) movie’
`function. The ‘RGBW coding’ function can capture sharp, clear images even when filmed or photographed in low light conditions, such as
`a dark room or at night by featuring W (white) pixels in addition to conventional RGB (red-green-blue) pixels, and leveraging Sony’s
`proprietary device technology and signal processing to heighten sensitivity without compromising its high resolution. ‘HDR (High Dynamic
`Range) movie’ function enables two different exposure conditions to be configured within a single screen when shooting, and seamlessly
`performs appropriate image processing to generate optimal images with a wide dynamic range and brilliant colors, even when pictures are
`taken against bright light. The other “Exmor RS” model is the ‘ISX014’, a type 1/4 model with 8.08 effective megapixels, which has a built-
`in camera signal processing function.
`
`In addition to the higher image quality and superior functionality, the use of a ‘stacked structure’ has helped Sony to achieve a more
`compact size.
`
`Sony will also bring to market three compact auto-focus imaging modules equipped with lens units and featuring auto-focus mechanisms
`that incorporate these image sensors: the ‘IU135F3-Z,’ ‘IU134F9-Z’ and ‘IUS014F-Z’. These three imaging modules adopt a newly-
`designed lens which has been optimized for the industry’s smallest(*1) 1.12μm unit pixel size to achieve higher resolution.
`
`The ‘IU135F3-Z’ is an auto-focus imaging module incorporating a bright, high-resolution F2.2 lens. The ‘IU134F9-Z’ (W:8.5 x D:8.5 x
`H:4.2mm(*4)) is thin and compact. The ‘IUS014F-Z’ is an all-in-one imaging module that comprises an image sensor with built-in camera
`signal processing function and built-in auto-focus and picture adjustment function.
`
`Going forward, Sony plans to continue with the proactive development of its “Exmor RS” stacked CMOS image sensors in order to bring to
`market imaging modules that achieve higher image quality, advanced functionality and an even more compact size. Sony aims to leverage
`the characteristics of its ‘stacked structure’ design to respond to the demand for larger screens in devices such as smartphones, where the
`amount of space available for embedding imaging modules is limited, and to continue expanding its product lineup to better accommodate
`its customers’ needs.
`
`Demand is growing rapidly for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, and Sony is committed to strengthening its production
`capacity(*2) for stacked CMOS image sensors, which combine the dual strengths of advanced functionality and compact size. This will
`enable Sony to solidify its position as the global leader in CMOS image sensors, and to act as a driving force for the industry in the future.
`
`*2: An announcement was already made (on June 22) regarding capital investment at Sony Semiconductor Corporation's Nagasaki Technology Center with the
`
`objective of increasing the production capacity for stacked CMOS image sensors.
`
`Type 1/3.06
`13.13 effective
`megapixels(*3)
`
`Type 1/4
`8.08 effective
`megapixels(*3)
`
`Type 1/4
`8.08 effective
`megapixels(*3)
`
`Model
`
`Stacked CMOS image sensor
`'IMX135'
`
`Imaging module
`'IU135F3-Z'
`
`Stacked CMOS image sensor
`'IMX134'
`
`Imaging module
`'IU134F9-Z'
`
`Stacked CMOS image sensor
`'ISX014'
`
`Imaging module
`'IUS014F-Z'
`
`Shipment date
`(planned)
`
`Sample price
`(incl. tax)
`
`January, 2013
`
`1,500 JPY
`
`March, 2013
`
`8,000 JPY
`
`March, 2013
`
`1,000 JPY
`
`May, 2013
`
`5,000 JPY
`
`October, 2012
`
`1,200 JPY
`
`November, 2012
`
`6,000 JPY
`
`*3: Based on the method for specifying effective pixels in image sensors
`
`http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201208/12-107E/
`
`3/30/2015
`
`Raytheon2027-0002
`
`

`
`Sony Global - News Releases - Sony Develops "Exmor RS," the World's First*1 Stacked ...
`
`Page 3 of 5
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`Sample image (right) of image captured in low light (10 lux) using the 'IU135F3-Z,' a type 1/3.06 imaging module
`(stacked) with 13.13 effective megapixels(*3)
`
`Conventional RGB method
`
`Newly-developed 'RGBW coding' method
`
`Comparison image (13.13 effective megapixels(*3))
`
`'IU135F3-Z' (13.13 effective megapixels(*3))
`
`Sample image photographed in a low light setting (10 lux)
`
`Sample image (right) using the 'IU135F3-Z,' a type 1/3.06 imaging module (stacked) with 13.13 effective megapixels(*3)
`
`Left: Without 'HDR movie' function
`
`Right: With 'HDR movie' function
`
`Comparison image
`(13.13 effective megapixels(*3))
`
`'IU135F3-Z'
`(13.13 effective megapixels(*3))
`
`Main Features
`"Exmor RS" stacked CMOS image sensor
`
`1) Commercialization of new, independently-developed "Exmor RS," incorporating the world's first(*1) unique 'stacked structure'
`2) This stacked structure facilitates higher image quality, advanced functionality and a more compact size.
`- Equipped with 'RGBW coding' and 'HDR movie' functions ("IMX135" and "IMX134")
`- Equipped with a built-in camera signal processing function, enabling compatibility with automatic controls, picture adjustment and
`multiple image output formats (such as YUV) ("ISX014")
`
`Main Features
`Imaging modules(each image sensor is mounted with a built-in lens unit with auto-focus mechanism)
`
`1) High resolution has been achieved by adopting a newly-designed lens, which is optimized for the industry's smallest(*1) 1.12μm unit
`pixel size.
`2) The "IU135F3-Z" auto-focus lens module adopts a bright F2.2 high-resolution lens.
`3) The "IU134F9-Z" achieves a thin, compact size (W:8.5 x D:8.5 x H:4.2mm(*4)).
`4) The "IUS014F-Z" is an all-in-one model capable of picture adjustment that comes equipped with a camera signal processing function.
`
`http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201208/12-107E/
`
`3/30/2015
`
`Raytheon2027-0003
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`

`
`Sony Global - News Releases - Sony Develops "Exmor RS," the World's First*1 Stacked ...
`
`Page 4 of 5
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`Key specifications
`Stacked CMOS image sensors
`
`Model name
`
`IMX135
`
`4208(H) x 3120(V)
`13.13M pixels
`
`Diagonal 5.867 mm
`(Type 1/3.06)
`
`IMX134
`
`3280(H) x 2464(V)
`8.08M pixels
`
`Diagonal 4.595 mm
`(Type 1/4)
`
`ISX014
`
`3280 (H) x 2464 (V)
`8.08M pixels
`
`Diagonal 4.6 mm
`(Type 1/4)
`
`1.12 μm (H) x 1.12 μm (V)
`
`1.12 μm (H) x 1.12 μm (V)
`
`1.12 μm (H) x 1.12 μm (V)
`
`15 fps
`
`30 fps
`
`120 fps
`
`1080p 30fps
`720p 60fps
`
`84mV
`
`260mV
`
`2.7V
`
`1.05V
`
`1.8V, 2.7V
`
`Auto-control function
`Picture quality adjustment
`function
`
`Number of effective pixels
`
`Image size
`
`Unit cell size
`
`Full
`
`1/2 sub sampling
`
`Frame
`rate
`
`HD mode
`
`Sensitivity
`(typical value F5.6)
`
`Sensor saturation signal
`(minimum value)
`
`Power
`supply
`
`Analog
`
`Digital
`
`Interface
`
`Key features
`
`24 fps
`
`48 fps
`
`30 fps
`
`60 fps
`
`1/8 sub sampling
`
`Not supported
`
`Not supported
`
`1080p 30fps (HDR mode)
`1080p 60fps
`720p 60fps
`
`1080p 30fps
`720p 30fps (HDR mode)
`720p 60fps
`
`92mV (Green pixel)
`127mV (White pixel)
`
`92mV (Green pixel)
`127mV (White pixel)
`
`260mV
`
`2.7V
`
`1.05V
`
`1.8V
`
`260mV
`
`2.7V
`
`1.05V
`
`1.8V
`
`RGBW coding function
`HDR movie function
`
`Output
`
`MIPI (4lane, 2lane)
`
`MIPI (4lane, 2lane)
`
`MIPI (4lane, 2lane, 1lane)
`
`Image output format
`
`Bayer RAW
`
`Bayer RAW
`
`YUV,RGB,RAW, Y/Cb/Cr,
`JPEG + YUV (thumbnail),
`JPEG (4:2:2)
`
`Key specifications
`Imaging module
`
`Model
`
`IU135F3-Z
`
`IU134F9-Z
`
`IUS014F-Z
`
`Module size(*4)
`AF actuator
`
`Lens composition
`
`F-number
`
`Focal length
`(35mm conversion)
`
`W:8.5 x D:8.5 x H:5.5 mm
`
`W:8.5 x D:8.5 x H:4.2 mm
`
`W:8.5 x D:8.5 x H:4.65 mm
`
`VCM (Voice Coil motor)
`
`Plastic
`(5 groups 5 elements)
`
`F2.2
`
`28mm
`
`Plastic
`(4 groups 4 elements)
`
`Plastic
`(4 groups 4 elements)
`
`F2.4
`
`F2.4
`
`http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201208/12-107E/
`
`3/30/2015
`
`Raytheon2027-0004
`
`

`
`Sony Global - News Releases - Sony Develops "Exmor RS," the World's First*1 Stacked ...
`
`Page 5 of 5
`
`*1: Accurate at time of press release (August 20, 2012)
`
`*2: An announcement has already been made (on June 22) regarding capital investment at Sony Semiconductor Corporation's Nagasaki Technology Center with
`
`the objective of increasing the production capacity for stacked CMOS image sensors.
`
`*3: Based on method for specifying effective pixels in image sensors
`
`*4: The dimensions width (W) and depth (D) exclude flexible printed circuits. Typical values exclude tolerance.
`
`* "Exmor RS" and
`
` are trademarks of Sony Corporation.
`
`Home > About Sony > Corporate Info > News Releases > 2012 > Sony Develops “Exmor RS,” the World's First*1 Stacked CMOS Image Sensor Also introduces
`imaging modules that deliver high picture quality and compact size, for use in mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets
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`http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201208/12-107E/
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`3/30/2015
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