Renesas Electronics Introduces New SoC that Enables Industry-Leading 16-Megapixel Still Image and High-Speed Continuous Shooting for Mobile Phones
Dusseldorf, 13th January 2011 – Renesas Electronics today announced the availability of a new system-on-chip (SoC), the CE150, for smartphones and high-end mobile phones. The CE150 delivers industry-leading resolution of 16 megapixels and the ability to capture full-HD video (1920 × 1080 pixels).
The new CE150 SoC is designed to support high-speed continuous image
shooting, which is demanded in high-end cameras offering top picture quality.
The new SoC features high-speed enhancements including a two-lane MIPI® CSI-2
(see Note 1) high-speed output interface from the camera to the mobile phone
application processor. In addition, advances in noise-reduction technology
deliver industry-leading high-quality image processing by pairing the CE150 with
a 16-megapixel CMOS image sensor.
Recently, the market for mobile phones with camera functionality has seen an
increase annually, especially in the number of high-end mobile phone handsets
with camera resolutions of more than 5 megapixels and functions that rival those
of digital still cameras. In 2012, models with camera resolutions over 5
megapixels are expected to account for about 80 percent of total mobile phone
shipments. Sales of mobile phone models with camera resolutions over 5
megapixels are predicted to exceed 400 million units.
Renesas Electronics has been active in this market since 2003, when its CE
Series of camera engine products was introduced. The company has been expanding
this business by developing semiconductor devices that enable mobile phone
cameras to achieve image quality on a par with that of digital still cameras. As
of the end of December 2010, Renesas Electronics has shipped more than 50
million CE Series devices in total, and the scale of shipments is expected to
continue expanding.
The new CE150 SoC was developed based on the company’s accumulated expertise
in this market and incorporates features such as high-speed continuous shooting
functionality and image processing technology that meet the demand for higher
pixel counts and superior image quality.
Key features of the new CE150 SoC:
- High-speed continuous shooting support
Improvements to the image processing circuit enable high-speed continuous
shooting at 15 frames per second of high-quality photos with a resolution of
13 megapixels, which is five times better than Renesas Electronics’ existing
SoCs.
- Output interface conforming to MIPI CSI-2
standard
A two-lane camera interface conforming to the MIPI CSI-2
standard is provided for output. The new output interface, combined with
software running on the host, makes it possible to transfer data using less
power and with reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI).
- Support for superior photo quality
An improved noise-reduction function and Renesas Electronics’ exclusive Neo
Clear Resolution™ single-frame ultra-high-resolution technology result in
photo quality superior to that possible with earlier products.
- Ability to implement multiple functions through
firmware
Optional firmware is available for implementing functions such as
anti-blurring stability enhancement, smile detection, and object tracking.
Renesas Electronics offers the new CE150 SoC as a camera system processor for
high-end mobile phones, including smartphones, and is launching an aggressive
sales promotion campaign. By further strengthening the CE Series lineup, Renesas
Electronics is working to increase its share of the market for high-end mobile
phone camera processor devices with resolutions from 5 to 16 megapixels from 15
percent in FY2009 to 30 percent in FY2012.
Note 1) MIPI CSI-2 (Mobile Industry Processor Interface-Camera Serial
Interface 2) is a high-speed serial interface standard for camera equipment
established by the MIPI Alliance.
Product Specifications of the CE150 SoC
201101160125.1.2011Audio-video-hifiRENESAS