New BSI products to be demonstrated at Mobile World Congress 2011

Barcelona, Spain & San Jose, Calif., February 7, 2011 -- Aptina, a leading innovator of CMOS imaging technology, today announced that it will be showing its new 1.1 and 1.4-micron backside illumination (BSI) image sensors at the 2011 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Invited guests will see a live demonstration of an 8-megapixel (MP) 1/4” 1.1-micron BSI image sensor, and an 8MP 1/3.2” 1.4-micron BSI image sensor for mobile applications. These BSI sensors leverage the Aptina™ A-Pix™ pixel technology used in the company’s front side illumination (FSI) 1.4-micron pixel products, to enhance the BSI image sensors’ light gathering performance and crosstalk control. “We strive for the perfect pixel,” said Dr. Gennadiy Agranov, Vice President of Imaging Technology. “Aptina A-Pix technology raised the bar for FSI performance, and now, A-Pix technology is advancing the performance of BSI solutions.” These advances combined with the fill-factor advantage in BSI technology, provide superior low light performance with superb color reproduction.

Demand for BSI CMOS image sensors is expected to grow from 10% of cell phone main camera in 2011 to 20% in 2013, according to Techno Systems Research.

“Our BSI technology will greatly enhance the range of imaging solutions afforded to our customers starting with the 1.1-micron and 1.4-micron sensors,” said Farshid Sabet, Vice President and General Manager of Aptina's Mobile, PC and Gaming Business Unit. “BSI image sensors complement our current FSI products, round out our industry-leading portfolio of mobile products, and position us for industry growth.”

Aptina is currently working with its fabrication partner Micron Technology to support volume BSI production capacity by CYQ3 2011 in anticipation of ramping products to be manufactured for mobile, digital still and digital video camera applications.

Aptina expects its AR0833, 1/3.2" 1.4-micron 8MP BSI image sensor will be its first BSI product to sample starting in mid-2011. This BSI sensor provides integrators with a corresponding option to Aptina’s AR0831, 1/3.2” 1.4-micron 8MP FSI image sensor. In the second half of 2011, Aptina expects to sample 1.1-micron BSI products including a 12MP 1/3.2” 1.1-micron image sensor, and an 8MP ¼” 1.1-micron image sensor.

About Aptina
Aptina is a global provider of CMOS imaging solutions with a growing portfolio of products that can be found in most leading mobile phone and notebook computer brands as well as a wide range of products for digital and video cameras, surveillance, medical, automotive and industrial applications, video conferencing, barcode scanners, toys, and gaming. Aptina enables Imaging Everywhere™ and continually drives innovation in the market as seen with the introduction of the first 14MP CMOS image sensor for point-and-shoot and hybrid cameras (MT9F001), and the industry’s first 5MP SOC with 1/4-inch format (MT9P111). Learn more about the technology in Aptina’s products online or via the Aptina Channel on YouTube. Privately held, Aptina’s investors include Riverwood Capital, TPG Capital and Micron Technology. For additional information on Aptina visit www.aptina.com or subscribe to the latest news from Aptina by copying the Aptina RSS feed into your favorite RSS reader.

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