A local venture firm has emerged as a dark horse in $5 billion worth world compound semiconductor market. Compound semiconductor using GaAs and GaN has higher output and efficiency than silicon-based semiconductor and has been used for LED, mobile telecommunication equipment and army telecommunication equipment. Until now, US companies have dominated with more than 70% of market share but RFHIC has recently been leading both mass- production and new technology development.
This firm has been producing volume qtys for the GaN devices, which is even faster than many of the international competitors. GaN has higher output power, wideband coverage, higher efficiency and reliability than existing technologies, so is an hot technology in the semiconductor market. Price, which is the disadvantage against existing technology, has been almost been solved by RFHIC as well.
Dr. Samuel Cho, the CTO said, " In 2008, RFHIC will be producing 20k~30k devices, and is looking forward for 2009 for even higher level of production." With the expanding technology, export volumes will also increase from the now 40% level.
There are also many different applications where we can apply GaN technology. Medical, hybrid autos, space, and etc fields can all benefit from GaN technology. RFHIC is also adding more lines which use GaN technology. 800~2700MHz broadband amplifiers which can cover GSM, PCS, Wi- Fi in one PA is an example.
RFHIC was established on 1999, and builds more than 10 million components every year. Not only Korean customers such as Samsung and LG, but international customers such as Cisco, Motorola, Alcatel-Lucent are using RFHIC products.
