History of Sony's Semiconductors - Timeline

It introduces the history of Sony's semiconductor business, which began in 1954 with the commercialization of transistors for the first time in Japan.
History of Sony's Semiconductor History of SSS Group's sites

Semiconductor project
launched by Sony.

Successfully prototyped
Japan's first transistor.

Photo of transistor

Invented the tunnel
(Esaki) diode.

Photo of Esaki diode

Developed silicon power transistors.

Photo of silicon power transistor

1960

Atsugi plant construction completed by Sony.

Sony Atsugi Plant in 1960
Figure

Commercialized the world's
first monolithic IC for small radios.

Photo of monolithic IC

Developed the
Sony Magnetodiode (SMD),
a new semiconductor device.

Photo of the Sony Magnetodiode, a new semiconductor device

Sony Shiroishi Semiconductor established.

Photo of Sony Shiroishi Semiconductor (current Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Shiroishi-Zao TEC) at the time of establishment

1970

Development of CCD
image sensors begins.

Figure

Succeeded in 8x8 pixels imaging

Photo of letter S, the first successful CCD imaging

Sony Kokubu Semiconductor established.

Photo of Sony Kokubu Semiconductor (current Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Kagoshima TEC) at the time of establishment

Mass production begins on variable capacitance diodes
(varicaps) for electronic UHF/VHF tuners.

Commercialized highly reliable MNOS nonvolatile memory for TV tuners.

Developed
a 110,000-pixel CCD imager.

Photo of 110,000-pixel CCD image sensor

1980

Commercialized the first CCD image sensor.
CCD color camera "XC1" adopted by jumbo jet.

CCD color camera “XC1”

Developed the MCZ method of silicon crystal growth.

MCZ method of crystal technology
Figure

Developed LSI circuits enabling production of consumer CD players.

Photo of LSIs for compact disc (CD) players

Commercialized two models of laser diodes produced using MOCVD, a world first.

Photo of semiconductor laser diodes by MOCVD

Sony Oita established.

Photo of Sony Oita (current Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Oita TEC Kunisaki Satellite) at the time of establishment

Developed LSIs for
digital audio tape recorders(DAT).

Sony Technical Soft established.

Photo of Sony Technical Soft (later Sony LSI Design) at the time of establishment

Commercialized
the world's first ultra-high-power laser with optical power output of 1 W.

Photo of ultra-high-power laser with optical power output of 1 W

Sony Nagasaki established.

Commercialized a 1/2-inch, 250,000-pixel CCD image sensor for passport-sized Handycam.

Photo of 1/2-inch, 250,000-pixel CCD image sensor

Successfully developed the world's first high-speed 4 Mb SRAM.

Photo of high-speed 4 Mb SRAM

1990

Company name changed from Sony Technical Soft to Sony LSI Design.

Developed the world's first 1-inch, 2-megapixel FIT CCD sensor for HDTVs.

Photo of 1-inch, 2-megapixel FIT CCD image sensor
Figure

Sony Kokubu Semiconductor renamed Sony Kokubu.

Sony LSI Design Head office relocated to YBP East Town, 11F (until 2012).

Developed a MUSE decoder LSI for HD broadcasts.

Photo of MUSE decoder LSI for HD broadcasts

Developed a 2/3-inch, 2-megapixel FIT CCD sensor for HDTVs.

Photo of 2/3-inch, 2-megapixel FIT CCD image sensor

Commercialized a dedicated LSI for MiniDisc system.

Photo of dedicated LSI for MiniDisc (MD) systems

Developed
the world's fastest 16 Mb SRAM.

Photo of 16 Mb SRAM

Commercialized the world's smallest color TFT LCD (0.55 inches, 113,000 dots) and a 0.7-inch color LCD with the world's highest pixel count (180,000 dots).

Photo of color TFT LCD

Commercialized a 1/4-inch,
410,000-pixel color CCD image sensor.

Photo of 410,000-pixel color CCD image sensor

Commercialized
an LSI conforming to the IEEE 1394 high-speed serial bus specification.

Photo of LSI conforming to the IEEE 1394 high-speed serial bus specification

Sony LSI Design Head office relocated, Atsugi operations integrated (YBP research building).

Photo of Sony LSI Design Yokohama Head Office

Established a low-temperature polysilicon TFT molding technique.

Photo of low-temperature polysilicon TFT molding technique

Commercialized an LSI with embedded DRAM for MiniDisc applications.

Photo of LSI with embedded DRAM for MiniDisc applications

Development of CMOS Image Sensors begins.

Developed a single-chip
MPEG-2 video encoder LSI.

Photo of single-chip MPEG-2 video encoder LSI

Developed a 2.5-inch, 180,000-dot low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD and a 1/3-inch, 680,000-pixel CCD (340,000 effective pixels).

Photo of 2.5-inch, 180,000-dot low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD Photo of 1/3-inch, 680,000-pixel CCD (340,000 effective pixels)

Commercialized
the EXview HAD CCD,
with high-sensitivity sensing also in the near-infrared spectrum.

Developed a single-chip,
two-wavelength laser diode for CD recording/playback and DVD playback.

2000

Commercialized the first CMOS image sensor "IMX001". Incorporated into AIBO.

Sony LSI Design Kyushu Branch opened. (Later designated as head office.)

Photo of Sony LSI Design Kyushu Branch building
Figure

Developed
two system LSIs
with low power consumption for Network Handycam.

Developed a high-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD panel (0.9-inch XGA, aperture ratio: 66.1%) using an ultra-wide-aperture process.

Photo of high-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD panel

Three Kyushu sites (Sony Kokubu, Sony Oita, and Sony Nagasaki) integrated; Sony Semiconductor Kyushu established. Sites renamed Kokubu Technology Center , Oita Technology Center , and Nagasaki Technology Center, respectively.

Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Kumamoto Technology Center established.

Photo of Sony Semiconductor Kyushu (current Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing) Kumamoto Technology Center at the time of establishment

Commercialized
an ultra-small TV tuner
module 1.5 ml in volume.

Photo of ultra-small TV tuner module

Developed Virtual Mobile Engine reconfigurable circuit technology.

Photo of reconfigurable circuit technology Virtual Mobile Engine circuit Photo of reconfigurable circuit technology Virtual Mobile Engine chip

Sony LSI Design Atsugi office opened.

Developed
the world's first monolithic
high-output two-wavelength laser diode.

Photo of monolithic high-output two-wavelength laser diode

Developed the world's first single-chip LSI for GPS applications.

Photo of the world’s first single-chip LSI for GPS applications

Developed a four-color filter CCD that halves color reproduction errors, as well as a supporting image processor.

Photo of four-color filter CCD

Commercialized a 220 mW laser diode (highest level of output in the industry) enabling 16× DVD recording.

Commercialized the first consumer 1080i-compatible HD CCD,
supporting high-definition 1080i recording at a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Photo of 1080i-compatible HD CCD

Developed a single-chip MPEG codec LSI (CXD4702GB) for high-quality recording/playback.

Photo of single-chip MPEG codec LSI (CXD4702GB)

Decision making of shifting focus from CCD to CMOS image sensors.

Sony Computer Entertainment fab integrated (incorporated into Nagasaki Technology Center).

Commercialized the first CMOS sensor (1/3-inch type, 2.97 megapixels) for consumer HD digital video cameras.

Photo of CMOS sensor for HD digital video cameras

Commercialized a new SXRD: world's smallest (0.61-inch type) full HD reflective liquid crystal display device.

Photo of SXRD, 0.61-inch type full HD display device

Commercialized a compact digital tuner module enabling 1 seg digital terrestrial TV broadcast reception on mobile devices.

Photo of compact digital tuner module

Commercialized ClearVid CMOS sensors with a new
structure enabling both high resolution
and high sensitivity.

Photo of ClearVid CMOS sensor with a new structure

Commercialized a 10.2-megapixel APS-C CCD image sensor for consumer digital still cameras.

Photo of 10.2-megapixel CCD for digital still cameras

Cell Broadband Engine&trade mass production begins.

Photo of Cell Broadband Engine chip

Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Kokubu Technology Center renamed Kagoshima Technology Center.

Commercialized BrightEra 0.79-inch type transmissive microdisplays employing inorganic alignment film, with the world's highest brightness.

Photo of the BrightEra 0.79-inch type transmissive microdisplay

Commercialized a high-power blue-violet laser diode for Blu-ray discs compatible with dual layer, 2×–4× recording.

Photo of high-power blue-violet laser diode for Blu-ray discs compatible with dual layer, 2×–4× recording

Commercialized an APS-C size CMOS image sensor for DSLRs offering an industry-leading resolution of 12.47 effective megapixels.

Photo of CMOS image sensor with 12.47 effective megapixels

Developed a 0.61-inch type full HD SXRD for projectors that supports high frame rates.

Photo of 0.61-inch type full HD SXRD for projectors that supports high frame rates

Developed a 35mm full-frame CMOS image sensor for DSLRs
offering a resolution of 24.81 effective megapixels and high-speed readout.

Photo of CMOS image sensor for DSLRs with 24.81 effective megapixels

Developed a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor with high image quality from low noise and nearly double the sensitivity of conventional sensors.

Photo of back-illuminated CMOS image sensor

Commercialized a CMOS image sensor for mobile phones with the industry's highest resolution of 12.25 effective megapixels, a world first.

Photo of CMOS image sensor for mobile phones with 12.25 effective megapixels

Nagasaki Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation jointly established by Toshiba Corporation, Sony Corporation and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.(Current : Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.).

Commercialized World’s first back-illuminated CMOS
image sensor. Installed into 2 digital high vision Handycams.

Commercialized the world's first TransferJet-compatible LSIs.

Photo of LSIs compatible with the TransferJet standard

Commercialized the world's first demodulator LSI for DVB-T2 digital terrestrial broadcasts.

Photo of demodulator LSI for the DVB-T2 digital terrestrial broadcast standard

2010

Launched the industry's first high-power (400 mW class) blue-violet laser diode for
BDXL™-compatible Blu-ray discs.

Photo of high-power 400 mW class pulse blue-violet laser diode for Blu-ray discs

Commercialized a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor for mobile phones with a resolution of 16.41 effective megapixels, a world first.

Photo of back-illuminated CMOS image sensor for mobile phones with 16.41 effective megapixels

Newly developed Super 35 mm-equivalent CMOS image sensor for digital cinema camcorder.

Photo of Super 35 mm-equivalent CMOS image sensor
Figure

Newly developed SXRD:
world's smallest (0.74-inch type)
4K reflective liquid crystal display device.

Photo of SXRD, 0.74-inch type 4K display device

Sony Shiroishi Semiconductor absorbed into Sony Semiconductor Kyushu. Company name changed to Sony Semiconductor. Sony Shiroishi Semiconductor renamed Shiroishi-Zao Technology Center.

Developed next-generation Crystal LED Display technology,
ideally suited to large screens and high picture quality.

Developed stacked CMOS image sensors, which have enabled the ongoing evolution of cameras. These models introduced RGBW coding and HDR movie functions.

Developed next-generation back-illuminated CMOS image sensors, again supporting ongoing evolution of cameras.

Jointly developed low-power LSIs for wideband millimeter-wave wireless communication offering the world's fastest transfer rate of 6.3 Gb/s.

Developed the world's first true-green laser diode with optical power output surpassing 100 mW at a wavelength of 530 nm.

Photo of true-green laser diode with optical power output surpassing 100 mW at a wavelength of 530 nm

Sony LSI Design Kyushu head office renamed as Fukuoka Branch.

Higashiura Satellite established in the Higashiura Plant of Japan Display West in Chita, Aichi.

Took over laminate substrate production of Sony Chemical & Information Device after this business was split off. Neagari Site established.

Commercialized mobile device global navigation satellite system (GNSS)
receiver LSIs with the industry's lowest power consumption of 10 mW.

Photo of GNSS (global navigation satellite system) receiver LSIs

Head office relocated to Kikuchi-gun, Kikuyo-machi, Kumamoto Prefecture.

Start of external sales of highly durable and
heat-resistant SoRPlas™ flame-retardant recycled plastic
with up to 99% recycled content.

Commercialized the world's highest-sensitivity CMOS image sensor for automotive cameras.

Photo of CMOS image sensor for automotive cameras

Commercialized the industry's first stacked CMOS image sensor with an image plane phase detection signal processing function for high-speed AF.

Photo of stacked CMOS image senor

Neagari Site closed due to termination of laminate substrate business.

Acquired the Tsuruoka Factory of Renesas Yamagata Semiconductor Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Renesas Electronics Corporation, Sony Semiconductor Corporation's Yamagata Technology Center was established.

Photo of Sony Semiconductor (current Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing) Yamagata Technology Center

Sony LSI Design Head office relocated (Atsugi).

Photo of Sony Atsugi Technology Center 2

World’s first Cu-Cu (Copper-Copper)
connection technology enters mass production.

Acquired Softkinetic Systems S.A., a Belgian company specializing in ToF sensor technology.

Commercialized the industry's first stacked CMOS image sensor
with built-in hybrid autofocus and
3-axis electronic image stabilization.

Photo of stacked CMOS image senor

Commercialized the industry's first ISDB-S3 compatible demodulator LSI and tuner modules for 4K/8K digital satellite broadcasts.

Photo of ISDB-S3 compatible demodulator LSI Photo of ISDB-S3 compatible tuner modules

Acquired Altair Semiconductor, an Israeli company specializing in LTE modem chip technology.

Sony semiconductor business spun off from Sony Corporation as a subsidiary, starting business as Sony Semiconductor Solutions.

Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation Headquarters building (Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture)

Company name changed to Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing. Oita Technology Center established in the city of Oita. Plant in Kunisaki renamed as Oita Technology Center Kunisaki Satellite.

Photo of Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Oita Technology Center

Developed the industry's first 3-layer stacked CMOS image sensor
with DRAM for smartphones.

Commercialized the industry's first CMOS image sensor for automotive cameras that both mitigates LED flicker and enables HDR shooting.

Photo of CMOS image sensor for automotive cameras

Developed original low-power wide-area (LPWA) network technology.

Commercialized a high-speed vision sensor enabling object detection and tracking at 1,000 fps.

Photo of high-speed vision sensor

Developed a back-illuminated ToF image sensor with the industry's smallest pixel size.

Commercialized the industry's highest resolution 7.42 effective megapixel stacked CMOS image sensor for automotive cameras.

Photo of stacked CMOS image sensor for automotive cameras

Commercialized a back-illuminated ToF sensor.

Photo of back-illuminated, Time of Flight image sensor

Commercialized SPRESENSE™,
a low-power board equipped with
a smart-sensing processor for IoT applications.

Photo of the SPRESENSE board equipped with a smart-sensing processor for IoT applications

Commercialized a 0.5- type OLED microdisplay withtop-of-class UXGA resolution.

Photo of OLED microdisplay

Commercialized a new SXRD™: the world's smallest (0.37-type) full HD reflective liquid crystal display device, and a dedicated signal processing drive LSI.

Photo of the SXRD liquid crystal display device and signal processing drive LSI

Commercialized a stacked CMOS image sensor for smartphones with the industry's highest 48 effective megapixels.

Photo of stacked CMOS image sensor for smartphones

Commercialized a CMOS image sensor for automotive cameras that mitigates LED flicker and enables HDR shooting with the industry's highest 5.4 effective megapixels.

Photo of CMOS image sensor for automotive cameras

Commercialized a communication module compatible with proprietary ELTRES™
low-power wide area (LPWA) wireless communication standard.

Photo of communication module compatible with the ELTRES communication standard

Commercialized two types of 4K-Resolution CMOS image sensors for security Cameras: world's Smallest type 1/2.8 and enhanced low-light performance type.

Photo of 4K-resolution CMOS image sensors for security cameras

Commercialized six types of stacked CMOS image sensors with global shutter function with back-illuminated pixel structure.

Photo of stacked CMOS image sensors with global shutter function

Acquired Mido Holdings, a network virtualization technology developer.

2020

Sony Semiconductor Solutions' Osaka Office opened.

Company name changed from Altair Semiconductor to Sony Semiconductor Israel.

Sony Semiconductor Energy Management established.

Newly developed stacked event-based vision sensor with the industry's smallest pixels and highest HDR performance by Sony and Prophesee

Commercialized two models of SWIR image sensors for industrial equipment capable of capturing images across both the visible and invisible light spectrums, with the industry’s smallest 5μm pixel size

Photo of SWIR (short wavelength infrared) image sensors

Commercialized two models of world’s first intelligent vision sensors with AI processing functionality

Photo of intelligent vision sensors with AI processing functionality

Commercialized high-precision GNSS receiver LSIs for IoT and wearable devices delivering the industry’s lowest power consumption for dual-band positioning operation

Photo of high-precision GNSS receiver LSIs for IoT and wearable devices
Figure

Commercialized Large Format CMOS Image Sensor with Global Shutter Function and
Industry’s Highest Effective Pixel
Count of 127.68 Megapixels

Photo of large format CMOS image sensors with global shutter function

Commercialized 1/1.2-type 4K-Resolution CMOS Image Sensor for Security Cameras with Approximately 8 times the Dynamic Range of Conventional Model in a Single Exposure

Photo of 4K-resolution CMOS image sensor for security cameras

Commercialized a Stacked SPAD Depth Sensor for Automotive LiDAR Applications, an Industry First

Photo of stacked SPAD depth sensor for automotive LiDAR applications

Commercialized Two Types of Stacked Event-Based Vision Sensors with the Industry’s Smallest 4.86μm Pixel Size for Detecting Subject Changes Only

Photo of stacked event-based vision sensors

Commercialized UV Wavelength-Compatible CMOS Image Sensor Equipped with Global Shutter Function and Industry’s Highest Effective Pixel Count of Approx. 8.13 Megapixels

Photo of UV wavelength-compatible CMOS image sensor with global shutter function

Launched Edge AI Platform Service AITRIOS™
To Streamline the Development and Implementation of AI Camera-Driven Sensing Solutions

Newly Developed World’s First Stacked CMOS Image Sensor Technology with 2-Layer Transistor Pixel

Launched Fee-Based Service on
Edge AI Sensing Platform AITRIOS™

Sony LSI Design absorbed into Sony Semiconductor Solutions for business integration

Commercialized SPAD Depth Sensor for Smartphones with High-Accuracy, Low-Power Distance Measurement Performance, Powered by the Industry’s Highest Photon Detection Efficiency

Photo of SPAD depth sensor for smartphones

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