Sony to increase production capacity of
its CMOS image sensors
Sony has announced that it would invest about 40 billion
yen into Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation's Kumamoto
Technology Center (hereafter, "Kumamoto TEC"),
to increase production capacity for "Exmor" and
"Exmor R" CMOS image sensors. This investment
comprises of an amount previously determined to be invested
in the second half of fiscal year 2010, which was included
in the forecast for the capital expenditures announced at
the earnings announcement for the first quarter ended June
30, 2010, in addition to an amount to be invested in fiscal
year 2011.
This investment will strengthen Sony's production capacity
for image sensors. Sony says that the present market conditions
have led to greater demand for larger image sensors and
image sensors with higher image capabilities. To meet the
market demands Sony provides two CMOS image sensor models.
They are:
--"Exmor" , which adopts the "Column-Parallel
A/D Conversion Technique", providing each column within
the sensor with its own A/D converter to reduce noise.
--"Exmor R", which applies a back-illuminated
structure to enhance image characteristics through high
sensitivity and reduced noise.
Since 2009, Sony has been mass-producing "Exmor R"
for Digital Still Cameras and Digital Video Camcorders on
wafer lines (with diameter of 200mm) at Sony Semiconductor
Kyushu Corporation's Nagasaki Technology Center. At the
end of this year Sony plans to start the mass production
of "Exmor R" on wafer lines (with diameter of
300mm) at Kumamoto TEC for mobile phone and compact Digital
Still Camera markets.
The "Exmor R" is used in smartphones and in a
wide range of digital imaging products for consumer and
professional use, including compact Digital Still Cameras.
In addition, Sony also plan to increase production capacity
for mainly large sized "Exmor" used in Digital
Single Lens Reflex cameras.
Investment Overview:
Purpose of investment: Increase
production capacity to meet the increasing demand of CMOS
image sensors
Investment site: Kumamoto
Technology Center, Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation
(Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture)
Investment details: Wafer
processing equipment for CMOS image sensor production, etc.
Investment time frame: From
the second half of fiscal year 2010 through fiscal year
2011
Investment amount: Approximately
40 billion yen
Production Capacity (Wafer Process/300mm wafers):
--25,000 wafers per month (Before investment this
time: 18,500 wafers per month)
--Of them, the capacity for image sensors will be 22,500
wafers per month
(Before investment this time: 16,000 wafers per month)
(Total production capacity of Kumamoto TEC Fab 1 and 2)
Outline of Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation
(1) Head office: 2-3-2
Momochihama, Sawara-ku Fukuoka-shi Japan
(2) Establishment: April
1, 2001
(3) Representative Director (President): Masanori Okayama
(4) Capital: 24.25
billion yen, fully owned by Sony Corporation
(5) Production Bases: Kagoshima, Oita, Nagasaki and Kumamoto
(6) Number of employees: Approximately 9,000 (including
contract and temporary employees) as of March
31, 2010
(7) Business Activities: Development, design and production
of semiconductors, etc.
Kumamoto Technology Center
(1) Location: 4000-1
Haramizu, Kikuyomachi Kikuchigun, Kumamoto, Japan
(2) Establishment: October
1, 2001
(3) Site area: 256,000-square-meter
(4) Floor area: 195,000-square-meter
(5) Main products: Image
sensors (CCD and CMOS), micro display devices (H-LCD and
"SXRD",
etc.)
