DB HiTek Expands Specialized Image Sensor Foundry Business

Advancement of Global Shutter and SPAD Process Technologies

DB HiTek, a domestic foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) company, announced on the 3rd that it is advancing its Global Shutter and Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) process technologies, which are highly utilized in fields such as automobiles and robotics, to expand its specialized image sensor business.

DB HiTek Bucheon Campus View / Photo by DB HiTek

Global Shutter is a type of sensor that captures images of fast-moving subjects without distortion. Demand is rapidly increasing in various fields including machine vision (image and video analysis systems utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) technology), which is essential for building smart factories, as well as automobiles, drones, robots, and medical devices.

SPAD is an ultra-high sensitivity 3D image sensor that detects extremely weak light signals at the particle level. Due to its high precision and long-distance measurement capability, it is considered a key component in realizing future technologies such as autonomous vehicles, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) devices, robots, and smartphones.

DB HiTek is strengthening its business competitiveness by securing Global Shutter and second-generation SPAD process technologies. Going forward, it plans to support fabless (semiconductor design) customers in expanding their specialized image sensor businesses. There are few foundry service providers that have secured related characteristics for Global Shutter and SPAD.

A DB HiTek representative said, "We are currently collaborating with global leading companies in the US, Europe, China, and Japan to develop products," adding, "We will enhance customer support by providing services such as TDK (TCAD Design Kit) for simulation of customer-customized processes and pixel development, and MLM (Multi-Layer Mask) to reduce customer costs."

Meanwhile, DB HiTek recently succeeded in developing X-ray CIS (CMOS Image Sensor) with a leading European medical sensor company. It plans to expand its business not only in the medical field but also into industrial sectors.