MEAN WELL, the leading global supplier of Standard Power Supply (SPS), announces it will be participating in the 2023 Hong Kong International Lighting Fair Autumn Edition and showcasing its latest XLN series and theXLC series Compact Size LED Drivers, of which the power current output can be adjusted through NFC configuration. The company will also display an upgraded version of the XLG series with tunable digital light adjustments and new DALI-2 features, the LCM-40TW series of DT8 LED power supply driver, and the DC Centralized Bus Lighting Solutions. Visitors of the Lighting Fair will experience firsthand the systemic perfection of MEAN WELL's DALI and KNX lighting solutions.New product alert: XLN series and the XLC series Compact Size LED DriversBefore it officially goes to the market in November 2023, MEAN WELL's latest XLN and XLC series of miniature interior LED driver power supply will be shown at the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair. The new products have plastic coverings designed for Class II/2 and dual insulation. They are suitable for both interior lighting and commercial lighting with outstanding characteristics, including a constant power output, tunable power adjustments through NFC on the MEAN WELL App, 3-in-1 digital light adjustments, DALI-2, and other light adjustments through KNX, Bluetooth, Matter, and so on.MEAN WELL XLN and XLC series miniature interior LED driver power supply, featuring Class II/2 and dual insulation design and suitable for both interior lighting and commercial lightingThe XLN series are all wire types, and the XLC series are terminals either with a side covering (which makes them wire types) or without a side covering. Rex Lin, the product manager of MEAN WELL's Product Strategy Center, said the new series is meant to satisfy the diverse needs of MEAN WELL's customers. Miniature lighting, for example, requires an independent power supply due to the lack of space for an internal power supply and the need to meet regulations and make repairs. The new series ensures user safety and product quality by complying with IEC 61347 and UL 8750 specifications for lighting.DALI-2 features for higher product compatibilityMEAN WELL highlights the new DALI-2 features of its tunable XLG power supply series, allowing its customers to integrate with smart lighting controls. DALI, which stands for Digital Addressable Lighting Interface, is an international protocol for digital lighting controls in compliance with IEC 62386. As the DiiA association continues to work on new specifications of DALI-2 applications, the protocol provides clear and thorough specifications.MEAN WELL XLG power supply series covers constant current or voltage lighting applications, providing IP67 water-proof, 3-in-1 light adjustments, DALI-2 digital light adjustments functionalities for customers to perform integration on their smart lighting control systems."Standardization has brought many benefits. As of today, all products aligned with the DALI-2 protocol are compatible and interchangeable. That has solved many incompatibility issues we used to see," Lin said.While complying with the latest safety requirements, the XLG-DA2 series provides distinctive pairing applications with constant current or voltage lighting. With iron coverings, they allow for systemic integrations of DALI light controls with different types of interior and exterior LED lightings and are pairable with constant current lightings, such as streetlamps and projection lights, and constant-voltage light strips at 12V, 24V, and 48V.Tunable color temperature for a user-centric experienceBesides DT6 LED light control, MEAN WELL is adding DT8 features to the LCM-40TW series, aiming to create a more human-centric user experience. In compliance with the DALI association's IEC 62386-209 (DT8) standards, the series provides an automatic tunable color temperature based on users' lifestyles. The new feature makes lighting a part of the users' lives, creates a high-end ambiance, and helps improve users' wellness and work efficiency.The LCM-40TW series has two output circuits for two sets of LED lights with different color temperatures. They can pair with multiple power currents falling within 500 to 1050 mA. In addition, the series can change the color temperature of the lighting through DALI ports. Users can change the color temperature with a push button without connecting the lighting to a DALI master cable.Seamless integration of the DC Centralized Bus Lighting SolutionsAt the 2023 Hong Kong International Lighting Fair Autumn Edition, visitors can experience MEAN WELL's smart DC Centralized Bus Lighting Solutions integrated with DALI or KNX lighting systems. Designed for interior lighting, the DC Centralized Bus Lighting Solutions reduces power waste and saves power costs for users. The installation costs of the overall lighting system are also significantly lower.Tony Hsieh, Section Manager of MEAN WELL's Technical Service Center, said his team has completed many successful use cases over the years. For example, a boutique watch store at the Taipei 101 shopping mall has adopted DALI digital lighting. As demand for green buildings and carbon-neutral operations increases, MEAN WELL's distributors have contacted many property developers to expand sales of the solution, according to Hsieh. He pointed out that the remote software configurations of MEAN WELL's products make the set-up of lights, groups, scenarios, and sequences much easier and faster.Follow MEAN WELL's Virtual Expo, LinkedIn account, and YouTube channel for the latest product information if you cannot visit the 2023 Hong Kong International Lighting Fair Autumn Edition.

With the impact of various external factors such as the pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, global semiconductor supply chains have been thrown into chaos. System integrators face increased challenges in procurement which in turn affects their product development processes and their choice of suitable semiconductors. To address these difficulties and to ensure that clients can have a smooth system development process in the post-pandemic era, WIN SOURCE has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Supplyframe.Established in 1999, WIN SOURCE is a leading B2B business platform specializing in electronic and semiconductor components. The collaboration between WIN SOURCE and Supplyframe was announced at the recent electronica Electronics China in Shanghai. It symbolizes a shared vision between the two companies, promising unprecedented value for customers and the industry. Utilizing Supplyframe's "Design-to-Source" solution on its B2B e-commerce platform, WIN SOURCE aims to accelerate its supply chain services and enhance customer experience.Since 2018, the world has faced challenges from inadequate semiconductor supply chain inventory and the COVID-19 pandemic. These factors have caused drastic fluctuations in global supply chains of semiconductor and electronic components, triggering multiple crises, affecting over 169 industries, and causing unprecedented delays in product launches and surges in costs. This serves as an important warning bell for system integrators. As a result, semiconductor suppliers, distributors, and system integrators must adjust their supply chain strategies and build more flexible supply chains to respond to future changes.The core of the strategic cooperation between WIN SOURCE and Supplyframe is to connect WIN SOURCE's e-commerce platform to Supplyframe's AI platform. This platform can capture market signals from millions of different sellable electronic components, providing users with optimal procurement strategies within the best timeframe. Customers of WIN SOURCE can directly benefit from this platform, which offers real-time smart procurement features. Customers can search, compare, and order over a million in-stock components, covering price fluctuations, delivery time changes, and potential risk notifications at the same time.This collaboration is considered one of the key strategies for WIN SOURCE. The Company is rapidly rising in the global electronic component agency industry, demonstrating its determination to adopt the most advanced technologies. The collaboration will further enhance the Company's supplier management and inventory control skills, expanding its capacity to serve global customers. WIN SOURCE's commitment to quality and environmental management, which is evident from its ISO9001 and ISO14001 certifications, has received high praise in the market. WIN SOURCE has grasped how to significantly reduce operating costs with strategies such as 24-hour delivery and 3-year warranty.Headquartered in Pasadena, California, Supplyframe redefines supply chain management with a comprehensive ecosystem made up of targeted marketing solutions, engineering resources, and supply chain tools. Its Design-to-Source Intelligence (DSI) solution can interpret billions of signals related to intent, demand, supply, and risk to provide valuable insights throughout the product lifecycle. Supplyframe's products and services include data analysis, market intelligence, price trends, supplier evaluation, component search, etc., all aiming to help customers better cope with the challenges of the electronics component supply chain and make smarter business decisions. This business partnership sets an example for future collaborations, alliances, and innovations.Credit: Company

SK hynix Inc. announced today that it has started commercialization of the LPDDR5T (Low Power Double Data Rate 5 Turbo)*, the world's fastest DRAM for mobile with 9.6Gbps speed.SK hynix (or "the company", www.skhynix.com) said that it has obtained the validation that the LPDDR5T is compatible with Qualcomm Technologies' new Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, marking the industry's first case for such product to be verified by the U.S. company.*LPDDR: Low power DRAM for mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, aimed at minimizing power consumption and that features low voltage operation. The latest specifications are for the 7th generation, succeeding the series that end with 1, 2, 3, 4, 4X, 5 and 5X. LPDDR5T is a newly developed version by SK hynix, and an upgraded product of the 7th generation (5X), prior to the development of the 8th generation LPDDR6.SK hynix has proceeded with the compatibility validation of the LPDDR5T, following the completion of the development in January, with support from Qualcomm Technologies. The completion of the process means that it is compatible with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.With the validation process with Qualcomm Technologies, a leader in wireless telecommunication products and services, and other major mobile AP(Application Processor) providers successfully completed, SK hynix expects the range of the LPDDR5T adoption to grow rapidly.The company plans to provide 16GB-capacity product, a combination of multiple single LPDDR5T chips, of which data processing speed is 77GB per second, equivalent to processing 15 Full-HD movies within a second.The LPDDR5T product also holds an edge in power consumption, performing at the lowest voltage of the 1.01~1.12V standards stipulated by the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council, or JEDEC.SK hynix applied the HKMG (High-K Metal Gate)** process to bring a remarkable improvement in both speed and power efficiency. With the adoption of this technology, the company expects the LPDDR5T to gain a large share of the market before the next-generation LPDDR6 is introduced.**HKMG: A next-generation process that uses a material with a high dielectric constant (K) in the insulating film inside DRAM transistors to prevent leakage currents and to improve capacitance. It reduces power consumption, while increasing speed. SK hynix was the industry's first to integrate the process in mobile DRAM in November."Generative AI applications running on our new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 enables exciting new use cases by executing LLMs and LVMs on device with minimal latency and at the lowest power," said Ziad Asghar, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "Our collaboration with SK hynix pairs the fastest mobile memory with our latest Snapdragon mobile platform and delivers amazing on-device, ultra-personalized AI experiences such as AI virtual assistants for smartphone users.""We are thrilled that we have met our customers' needs for the ultra-high performance mobile DRAM with the provision of the LPDDR5T," said Sungsoo Ryu, head of DRAM Product Planning at SK hynix.Ryu said that smartphones are expected to grow their presence as the key devices where the AI technologies are fully applied onto in coming years. "I believe the smartphone functions, backed by excellent DRAM for mobile, should continue to improve. We will continue to work toward strengthening our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies to advance the technology in this space."

IoT applications are expanding in scope now that the technology has matured. Industrial computers that form a key part of the IoT network architecture must also continue to evolve in response to workflows and operating environments in different scenarios. The Human-Machine Interface (HMI) that serves as the bridge between users and devices requires high stability, high compatibility, and high tolerance. These attributes are essential to fulfilling system introduction goals such as improved performance and reduced costs. Industry veteran ADLINK supplies total solutions for HMI. In response to market demands, rugged display panels from AUO Display Plus have now been adopted to supply customers with HMI products that combine quality and reliability.AI Drives Need Reliable Processing Power and Fast Data Transfers Over Extended PeriodsSmart technology is now sweeping through global industries bringing new advances to HMI functionality. Derrick Tu, Business Development Manager of the Edge Visualization BU at ADLINK, states, "Edge computing is a product of AI technology and IoT. Industrial-grade tablets and displays need the ability to provide reliable processing power and fast data transfers over extended periods of time. System integration requirements have also emerged from large machines in factories and self-service kiosks in retail stores, leading to a growing emphasis on compatibility and expandability on a functional level." Certain fields have ruggedization and tolerance requirements due to their environments. Manufacturing equipment requires a wide temperature tolerance, as well as dust and vibration resistance. Medical fields involve frequent disinfection and require grime resistance.ADLINK has developed a complete portfolio of industrial-grade displays targeted at the above requirements ranging from 7" to 43" in size. Two more 32" and 43" large form-factor displays and the 4:3 aspect ratio were also introduced this year to satisfy the requirements of different customer applications.ADLINK Offers Products-as-a-Service with Flexible Specifications for Different ApplicationsFor touch industrial tablet PCs, ADLINK released an open tablet PC that supports customer customization of processing power, touch control display type, and I/O interface. ADLINK's proprietary Function Module supports customer-defined device functions and I/O. The ADLINK tablet-to-tablet connector guarantees compatibility between smart tablets. ADLINK will soon unveil models featuring a stainless-steel housing with M12 waterproof connectors, a fully flat fanless design, and compliance with the IP69K standard for full water, dust, and corrosion resistance. The unit can be hosed down with hot water, making it suitable for industries that require a clean production environment.Diversification of HMI Requirements See ADLINK Partner with AUO Display Plus to Build the Optimal User ExperienceRugged display panels from AUO Display Plus are now used across the full range of ADLINK industrial-grade displays and tablets to further enhance their ruggedness and durability. Tu notes, "AUO Display Plus is an AUO subsidiary specializing in industrial touch control technologies and large display form-factors suitable for outdoor or semi-outdoor environments. It is therefore a perfect complement to ADLINK's expertise in industrial computer technology." The post-pandemic era has led to greater diversification of HMI requirements in the market. The complementary partnership between ADLINK and AUO Display Plus will provide customers with greater product diversity and better specifications.There are three main advantages to the adoption of AUO Display Plus panels in ADLINK HMI products: 1. Improved durability to support extended system operation; 2. Improved clarity through high-brightness products that clearly display information both indoors and outdoors; 3. Improved usability with support for multi-touch controls that provide an enhanced user experience. Tu emphasizes, "ADLINK and AUO Display Plus both have more than 20 years of experience in industrial control. Customer requirements and pain points are therefore anticipated and overcome in advance during the product design phase. The next step for ADLINK is to leverage AUO Display Plus products for the development of specialized high brightness, semi-outdoor, and narrow bezel models."On top of enhancing product performance through partnerships, another key competitive advantage of ADLINK's industrial display and tablet business is its precise and well-developed one-stop customization service. According to Tu, "Long-term collaboration between ADLINK and leading vendors such as Intel, Qualcomm, MediaTek, and NVIDIA ensures the most forward-looking product support. This, combined with ADLINK's extensive experience in industrial computers and global locations, ensures the delivery of swift, professional customization services. Resultant products will not only meet current requirements but can also be customized to craft edge visualization solutions that offer high stability, compatibility, and tolerance for customers."For more information, please contact the ADLINK's website.Derrick Tu, Business Development Manager of the Edge Visualization BU at ADLINK. Credit: Company

Looking at the overall condition of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) market in 2023, efforts to reallocate and adjust the electronics supply chain are palpable amidst the decline in demand for consumer electronic products and the economic impact of high inflation. However, these endeavors seem powerless in reversing the domino effect created by the risks in a recessionary environment. Even though the economy has been relatively conservative, several trends reveal some optimistic news from an analytical standpoint. First, the industry is excited over the robust demand capacity for IC substrates, strongly reflecting the long-term need for advanced IC substrates brought about by Beyond fifth-generation (B5G), Artificial Intelligence (AI), High-Performance Computing (HPC), and ADAS automotive chips. These potentially high-growth segments can be seen as new blue oceans for Taiwan's PCB industry.Maurice Lee, the chairman of the Taiwan Printed Circuit Association (TPCA), stated in an exclusive interview before the TPCA Show 2023 that despite the estimated downward revision of the total production value of the domestic PCB industry chain (PCB, equipment, and raw materials) to TWD $1.09 trillion in 2023, a yearly decrease of 18.9%, he still sees positive aspects in several developing industries. Firstly, the market demand and the main direction of technological development remain the same as predicted at the beginning of the year. The downturn in operation rates has led to a conservative investment in capital expenditure (Capex), causing a slowdown. PCB manufacturers are trying to enter new markets such as AI, automotive, and satellite, and are actively setting up new locations to disperse risks, setting up cornerstones for future growth as part of their transformation strategies.Taiwanese PCB Manufacturers and Supply Chains Actively Expanding into Southeast AsiaIn a turbulent geopolitical environment, the global electronics technology industry faces a "China + 1" trend. Key component PCBs cannot remain aloof, triggering cross-strait PCB manufacturers to move and set up in new countries such as Thailand. More than ten Taiwanese PCB companies have already chosen to set up factories in Thailand, at least eight of which are indicative manufacturers ranked within the global top 20. This wave of expansion southward also includes locations in Vietnam and Malaysia, with upstream PCB materials and process equipment manufacturers joining in. The clustering of PCBs encourages equipment manufacturers to establish service points close to their customers. The pattern of Taiwan's PCB industry and supply chain moving into Southeast Asia is apparent.For Taiwanese businesses, this Southeast Asian expansion differs significantly from the westward strategy of 2001. The shift to Southeast Asia mostly stems from pressure from customers. Amid the tense atmosphere of global geopolitics and U.S.-China tech competition, decisions for transformation to disperse risks are urgently needed although PCB still suffers from incomplete inventory destocking and lack of new demand. Challenges created by this southward investment include local personnel training, rising wage costs, an incomplete supply chain, and management impact due to linguistic and cultural differences. These are all operational challenges directly faced by Taiwanese PCB manufacturers and the supply chain.Innovation in High-end IC Substrates and Manufacturing Techniques Generate Remarkable Growth Momentum of AI Servers and Automotive BoardsFurthermore, Maurice Lee observed several key growth areas with IC substrates being an important growth engine. BT substrates used by CSP or tiny BGA chips are expected to see a reduction in the supply-demand imbalance until 2024. As for ABF substrates currently receiving a lot of attention, present demand mainly relies on high-grade cloud servers and robust growth driven by booming AI servers. The supply-demand gap needs to wait until at least 2026 for alleviation. Notably, although servers contribute only 6.8% to the overall production value of Taiwan's PCB industry, this kind of product is what Taiwanese companies excel in, and the high-growth prospects brought about by the AI market are just around the corner.The size of these high-end ABF substrates has quickly grown from approximately 20mm x 20mm to an area size of 110 mm x 110 mm, containing up to 24 layers of multilayer boards. The key to success for Taiwanese IC substrate manufacturers lies in yield as manufacturing technology thresholds and product unit prices are both high. Maurice Lee boldly predicts that the production value of AI servers will surpass cloud servers. The demand for AI servers is apparent with growth exceeding 30% in 2023, and it can maintain an annual growth rate of over 20% for the next few years. The explosive growth of AI servers and related applications could generate great production value, surpassing the production value of cloud servers as early as 2025 or 2026.Outside the strong development of AI servers, the performance of the automotive PCB market is also impressive. With the gradual increase in demands such as vehicle electrification, Autonomous Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS), and vehicle networking, a new car will grow from its past usage of 500-600 chips to over 1000 chips. Flexible Printed Circuit Boards (FPCB), HDI boards, and substrates all equally stand a good chance of achieving higher growth. Overall, automotive PCB is trending towards miniaturization and high functionality with major growth in applications such as millimeter-wave radar for ADAS, automotive sensors, etc. All the applications require advanced HDI technology, as well as soft, bendable FPCBs that can replace some automotive wire harnesses. The small size and high-density characteristics will gradually expand the application of automotive boards, making automotive PCBs an area where Taiwanese manufacturers can release their full potential.Maurice Lee emphasized, "The reason why Taiwan's PCB industry can stand out in the fiercely competitive international market is that we have the strongest supply chain globally." He encourages the industry to participate in the 24th TPCA Show 2023 and the 18th IMPACT International Packaging and Circuit Board Symposium. These exhibitions have great knowledge value. Participants can explore IC substrates, high frequency, high-speed PCB material developments, and focus on 5G-related applications such as semiconductor packaging, substrates, zero carbon emissions, smart factories, etc. One can also attend the International Electronics Exhibition, the AIoT Exhibition, and the Optoelectronics Exhibition besides the TPCA Exhibition, which altogether provides a technological feast, allowing the guests to grasp the complete dynamic of the PCB industry. The official website for TPCA activities is as follows: https://tw.tpcashow.com/

AMICCOM released a new generation of low current sub1-GHz wireless SOC, named A9129M0. AMICCOM continues to integrate the existing RFICs with MCU and roll-out highly integrated SOC products. The new A9129M0 SOC, like their previous generation products, come from integrating MCU with A7129, which have excellent RF performance and extremely low receiving current. The A9129M0 supports FSK modulation. This chip integrates high performance ARM Cortex-M0, built-in 128Kbyte Flash Memory, 16 Kbytes SRAM, 22 GPIOs and various digital interfaces. 2-wire ICE can be developed with Keil C.The maximum TX Power of A9129M0 is +12dBm, the receiving sensitivity is -118dBm @2 Kbps FSK. The A9129M0 also integrates a DC-DC converter to provide efficient power applications. With input voltage 3.3V for DC-DC converter, A9129M0 RX mode current is 4.16mA, TX mode current is 16mA (+10dBm). It also supports programmable RF output power (-30dBm ~ +12dBm) and programmable data rate (2kbps ~ 2Mbps).The MCU core of A9129M0 is ARM Cortex-M0, which can provide fast computing, user can adjust the MCU speed according to the overall power consumption requirements. A9129M0 has a flexible power management system, the current consumption in deep sleep mode is 110nA and the current consumption in sleep mode with internal timer (32KHz) turned-on is 1.3uA. The A9129M0 has a built-in AES128 co-processor which provides data protection and security. All above features make A9129M0 suitable for various low-power IOT applications. A9129M0 is equipped with a variety of digital interfaces such as UART, I2C, SPI. It has 2 PWM outputs, two 32-bit timers and one 32-bit dual timer. These interfaces share pins with 22 GPIOs, which can be used according to user's application requirements. A9129M0 is also equipped with 12bit ADC, which provides up to 8 channels for external signal measurement.Overall, the A9129M0 is a wireless transceiver SOC with high performance and low power consumption. It has excellent RF performance with 12dBm output power amplifier, and supports a variety of digital interfaces and I/O. Especially it's suitable for applications that are powered by battery and require a long-life cycle. All functions are integrated in the QFN5x5 package.For AMR application, wireless M-Bus is a communication protocol designed for remote reading of gas, electricity, and water. As global urbanization and resource management become increasingly crucial, the technology to effectively read and manage these resources is of paramount importance. AMICCOM can provide the wireless M-Bus protocol reference codes which support T-mode, S-mode, and C-mode to accelerate customer's development work.Supply and packaging:A9129M0 package is 5 mm x 5 mm QFN-40 and is now available from AMICCOM and its authorized distributors. Welcome to request IC samples and evaluation modules, and start development work. Please contact AMICCOM Electronics for more detail.sales@amiccom.com.tw

MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ: MKS), a global provider of enabling technologies that transform our world, announced that its strategic brands ESI (Laser Systems) and Atotech (process chemicals, equipment, software, and services) will present their combined product offering of leading manufacturing solutions for printed circuit boards and package substrate manufacturing at the upcoming 24th Taiwan Circuit Board Industry International Exhibition (TPCA Show 2023), and the 18th International Microsystems, Packaging, Assembly and Circuit Technology Conference (IMPACT 2023), to be held from October 25th to 27th, 2023 at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center.By combining leading capabilities in lasers, optics, motion, process chemistry, and equipment, MKS is best positioned to Optimize the Interconnect, a significant enabling point for next-generation advanced electronics that represent the next frontier for miniaturization and complexity. The Optimize the Interconnect philosophy highlights the company's unique position in supporting the development of next-generation advanced PCB and package substrate manufacturing solutions for its customers and partners. "We are committed to enabling new technologies and increasingly smaller feature sizes by combining MKS' ESI laser drilling technologies with MKS' Atotech chemistry and plating equipment," stated Harald Ahnert, VP and GM of Chemistry."Pioneering Innovation through Expertise and TechnologyThe company's combined expertise and know-how across lasers, materials processing, and equipment technology provides numerous opportunities to facilitate collaboration, innovation, and continual ground-breaking solutions for its customers. "We recently installed new systems and process technology in one of our global technology centers to drive the production of next-generation package substrates and provide customers and OEMs alike quicker development cycles for new products and materials enabling high-end SAP technology that require <5/5 µm lines and spaces," added Harald.Embracing New Challenges, Expanding Horizons in PCB DiversityAnother example of MKS' contributions to innovation is the company's progress in flex, advanced HDI or substrate-like PCBs. Here our customer offering ranges from a comprehensive combination of optimized laser drilling and process chemistries to PCB manufacturing equipment. Customers benefit from the company's unique one-stop-shop destination for pre-treatment, via formation, plating, and final finishing with quick turn-around times that don't require an interruption in production, which enables our customers to deliver better yields, productivity, and performance. "For substrate-like PCBs, we are working with the industry to enable next generation mSAP technology," said Harald Ahnert, VP and GM of Chemistry.MKS' Atotech & ESI Unveiling Innovation at Booth N-718Experts from both brands will be available and ready to discuss latest industry trends and challenges at TPCA Show booth N-718 on the 4th floor of the Nangang Exhibition Hall 1. The dedicated onsite team will introduce new product combinations, including printed circuit board production equipment (wet-to-wet process equipment, laser systems and auxiliary equipment), chemistry, software, and related services.On the chemistry side, for surface treatment our highlights include EcoFlash S300, a new differential etching solution suitable for advanced IC substrates and Novabond EX-S2, our new high-tech adhesion promoter for ultra-fine lines and high-speed applications. For metallization our highlights include Printoganth MV TP2, a highly capable electroless copper process specifically designed for SAP fine line applications, and our even more enhanced Printoganth MV TP3 process enabling super thin Cu deposits for fine lines down to 2/2 µm L/S which you want to ideally combine with Cupraganth MV our new and revolutionary copper-based activation system. For electrolytic copper plating, we are highlighting our new insoluble reverse pulse plating solution for inclusion-free IC substrate core through hole filling for high aspect ratio, Inpulse 2THF2, and our production proven InPro SAP3 process for BMV filling with best uniformity at high current densities. For conformal high hole density IC substrate core plating we are promoting Cuprapulse IN, our new solution for excellent uniformity for high hole density boards.For final finishing our highlights range from OSP solution OS-Tech SIT 2, a new generation corrosion-free gold process for ENIG, ENEPIG, and EPAG to new type of immersion tin processes for flex PCBs, as well as for thick tin plating of µ-LED, IC substrates, or solder depot plating.On the laser equipment side, promotions include the latest Capstone (UV Laser for Flex PCBs) and Geode (CO2 laser for HDI and package substrate applications) capabilities.In addition to participating in the exhibition, the team is honored to once again be given the opportunity to host an IMPACT industrial forum. This year the focus is on "AI-enabling innovation in the era of advanced packaging." The exclusively invited speakers, together with MKS' Atotech experts, will present four relevant topics/papers on this theme on the 4th floor in room R504b, from 1:30 to 3:30pm on October 25. The team will also present seven additional papers during the general IMPACT technical conference from October 26 to 27, see tables below.TPCA Show highlights 2023 briefly: EcoFlash S300: Differential etching solution suitable for ultra-fine lines on IC substrates.Novabond EX-S2: Adhesion promoter suitable for ultra-fine lines and high-speed applications.Capstone: High-performance/throughput breakthrough productivity for flex PCB UV drilling.Geode A: CO2 laser system for high precision and high-speed ABF build-up laminate processing.Cuprapulse IN: Insoluble reverse pulse plating for high throughput HDI and MLB PCBs.Cupraganth MV: New Cu based activator system enabling high yield IC substrates.Printoganth MV TP2: State of the art electroless copper process for fine line SAP applications.Printoganth MV TP3: Upcoming electroless copper process for super fine lines L/S like 2/2 µm.Printoganth P2: Most capable horizontal electroless Cu process for excellent throw into BMVs and nano-void free deposits suitable for advanced dielectric materials (5G, FPCB, etc.).G-Plate: New equipment technology for PTH processes of next generation IC substrates enabling highest yields and cutting-edge fine line capability targeting L/S <5/5 µm.Aurotech G-Bond 3: New versatile gold bath for nickel/gold, nickel/palladium/gold and palladium/gold plating with non-toxic stabilizer replenishment to prevent the handling of KCN with low gold content and long lifetime.Stannatech Flex: tailored immersion tin process for battery flexible board with mitigated substrate and coverlay attack.PD-Core: Versatile Palladium plating solution for plating on copper and nickel with low Pd-content and long life time for reduced process cost.Stanna-CAT: Autocatalytic process for thick tin plating of µ-LED, ICS, or solder depot plating.Silvertech C: New silver-plating process that co-deposits 1-2% w/w carbon and produces a highly electrically conductive surface.Protectostan LF-E: New sustainable post-treatment to protect the plated tin and tin alloy surfaces of connectors and integrated circuits (ICs) from discoloration under high temperature / reflow and tarnishing under high heat high humidity conditions.vPlate: Vertical continuous plating equipment for advanced HDI and IC substrate achieving uniformities of below 7%.Optimize the InterconnectIMPACT MKS' Atotech Industrial Forum speakers, location and timeIMPACT MKS' Atotech and ESI Technical Forum speakers, locations and times

Medical care devices are closely relevant to human health. Therefore, all countries have very stringent standards when it comes to medical devices. ASUS VivoWatch boasts "electrocardiogram application software" and "blood pressure application software," both of which have obtained certification from the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA). The application software is the first proprietary healthcare wearable electrocardiogram and blood pressure application software researched and developed in Taiwan. Currently, the company is in the process of applying for FDA certification in the United States, and several medical institutions are working with ASUS to create various value-added services through VivoWatch. ASUS Chief Operating Officer and Global Senior Vice President, Joe Hsieh, pointed out that the interest proves the functions and qualities of the watch have gained trust in the market.In recent years, health awareness has been soaring. Tracking physiological data through wearable devices and extending various smart value-added services have become an important trend in the next-generation healthcare industry. However, Hsieh said that it is not easy for wearable devices to enter the smart medical systems. ASUS has long been focused on mobile health (mHealth), aiming to create more applications in healthcare systems via continuous physiological monitoring features. Therefore, the company conformed to a high standard to satisfy the needs of both consumers and medical institutions during the design and development stages of VivoWatch. This is the main reason ASUS works well with multiple major domestic hospitals.To better address medical needs, the software and hardware efficacies of VivoWatch are strengthened simultaneously. For the hardware aspect, ASUS is a major manufacturer in the information and communications industry, and its technology capacities have long been recognized by the market. The advantage has been further extended to produce VivoWatch's functions. For example, VivoWatch is equipped with two key sensors — electricalgraphy (ECG) and photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors. Moreover, the entire product series is independently researched and developed by ASUS, including the underlying architectures, software, hardware, and product features. Therefore, ASUS is able to provide customized solution plans based on medical institutions' needs.Hsieh also expressed ASUS's passion for the medical equipment field and its long-term commitment. For the past decade, ASUS has focused most of its efforts on algorithm development, technology research and development, and obtaining medical standard certifications. For instance, unfazed by the fuzziness of these processes, ASUS decided to have its parent company apply for ISO 13485 Medical Devices Quality Management Systems, allowing the designs, production, and management of all medical products of the parent company to obtain certification, instead of applying for certification through individual brands or subsidiaries at a smaller scale with limited influence. Thus, the undertaking demonstrates how much ASUS values its commitment.Furthermore, to make the watch aligned with the company's values, ASUS decided to proprietarily conduct research and development, from the algorithm of operating systems to hardware architecture. The autonomy in technology development enabled VivoWatch to meet the needs of medical institutions. Therefore, in 2021 and 2022, VivoWatch won the National Innovation Award, Corporate Innovation Award, and Symbol of National Quality for the company, as its innovative features and qualities are well recognized by the market.Hsieh pointed out that obtaining TFDA and ISO 13485 certifications, as well as winning both domestic and foreign awards, shows that ASUS made the right choice to expand markets and accumulate industry reputation in the long term. He reiterated that medical devices are closely related to the safety of the human body. Therefore, medical institutions require high-quality products and relevant services from their partners that can be trusted. ASUS has built strong technological capabilities in the information and communications industry. When facing complicated cross-border cooperation in technology and healthcare, ASUS respects the differences in corporate culture, division of authority and responsibility, laws and regulations, and business models. Thus, in terms of the development mindset or product features, the company can gain the trust of its partners from the healthcare field. In the future, ASUS will continue to uphold its original purpose, maintain its strategic direction, and become a reliable partner for the digital transformation in the healthcare industry.

With the aim of attaining outstanding results in competitions, a global trend of combining sports and technology has ensued. Various sensor components are being combined and utilized to collect athletes' data from competitions or training sessions to serve as reference for future improvements. Industry output has reached new records due to recent developments in AI as well as the popularization of sports technology applications in the general public. A Data Bridge Market Research report points out that industry output will reach US$47 billion in 2029 and become a hotly contested space amongst corporations; the market will also release many smart fitness products designed for the general public.The massive industry output of this market will naturally attract Taiwanese enterprises that boast advantages in the field of information and communication technologies. For instance, the National Science and Technology Council's Taiwan Germination Program has subsidized NeuinX, an independent research team from National Tsing Hua University. The team has currently released the sport image smart AI analysis platform NeuinX Play. With support from Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA), NeuinX attended its first Consumer Electronics Show in 2023 and won the CES 2023 Innovation Awards. Resulted in massive attention from the U.S. sports technology industry and laid a solid foundation for its entry into the U.S. market in 2024.Tsung-Hsun Tsai, the CEO of NeuinX stated that the early development of sports technology in the U.S. has resulted in diverse solutions and technology related products for basketball, baseball, and golf. TTA's support in attending the CES 2023 not only increased exposure for NeuinX, but also led to exchanges with the U.S. industry, which will be greatly beneficial for the company's future developments. In fact, TTA offered various consulting services prior to NeuinX's visit to the U.S. and became one of the driving forces that allowed the company to win an award.NeuinX technical consultant Min-Chun Hu stated that aside from their support for CES 2023, TTA also provided mentorship courses in marketing, financial planning, and governance designed for startup companies, which paved the way for the sound, long-term development of NeuinX. In addition, TTA hosted many matchmaking meetings that allowed NeuinX the opportunity to earn the attention of even more investors.In-house Developed AI Image Analysis Targets Students and Small- to Medium-Sized Sports CompetitionsThe active efforts of various companies have resulted in many sports image analysis platforms on the market that mostly require multiple professional film equipment to utilize. As such, full solutions are often extremely costly and can only be utilized by professional sports teams or leagues. In a bid to drive the commercialization of cutting-edge sports technologies and establish itself as a premier global sports service provider, NeuinX, founded in 2023, brings over 15 years of accumulated expertise in sports image analysis with many high-level international conferences and journals. NeuinX's technology was used by Taiwan's National Team in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the solution won the 2021 Taiwan Sports Technology Application Award.In order for student leagues and small- to medium-sized competitions to enjoy the brand new experiences delivered by sports technology despite their limited budgets, NeuinX launched the subscription based NeuinX Play service in 2023. Users can simply upload game footage filmed using smartphones and cameras or TV broadcast footage of basketball games to the cloud, and the system will automatically analyze players' shooting locations and movement patterns. Additionally, NeuinX Play includes a built-in automatic scoring platform that records each shot and determines if it has gone into the net. The system automatically records scoring information for each player, thereby drastically reducing the cost expenditure of recording scores, which is traditionally performed manually. Furthermore, in response to the emergence of social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, NeuinX Play automatically clips highlights, which can be sent to a predetermined platform, thereby satisfying the requirements of league marketing activities."To verify the feasibility of NeuinX Play, we partnered with a renowned Taiwanese basketball league and multiple agencies in 2023, and conducted verification test through 10 actual games held in Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium and Xinzhuang Gymnasium. The results evidenced that the system could accurately analyze the shooting process of athletes and fully document their scoring status." Tsung-Hsun Tsai explains, "In the future, we will provide additional functions such as automatic detection of data such as blocks, steals, and rebounds to better meet the functionalities required to record actual competitions."NeuinX Stat Will Enter the U.S. Market by 2024Amidst intense competition, the market sees an influx of various sports video analysis platforms, although the majority require expensive integration with specialized camera equipment, consequently restricting their adoption mainly to professional teams and leagues. In a move to penetrate the sports technology sector, NeuinX introduced the NeuinX Play Cloud Service in 2023, marking the company's inaugural venture into the field The award winning NeuinX Play that won CES 2023 Innovation Awards is currently used in National Tsing Hua University basketball court and received many high praise.Tsung-Hsun Tsai stated that in order for more student teams and small- to medium-sized leagues to enjoy the advantages of sports technology, NeuinX expects to release NeuinX Stat in 2024, targeting student leagues in both the U.S. and Taiwan. In addition to retaining and enhancing all functions of NeuinX Play, this version will also provide a field for on-site personnel to fill in statistical data; XR data visualization and True View visualization can also be applied to basketball strategy training and game analysis.In addition to student leagues, NeuinX is also targeting the strong demand for AI sports image analysis from professional athletes and leagues. The company expects to launch NeuinX Train in 2026, which will provide 3D action simulation and an online training system, providing athletes with a better understanding of their athletic condition and reference data for planning future training sessions, thereby improving their overall performance in professional basketball games.NeuinX technical consultant Min-Chun HuPhoto: NeuinXNeuinX technical consultant Hong-Guo ZhuPhoto: NeuinXImage of NeuinX Play interface. Users can upload videos to the platform and the cloud computing module will automatically capture event labels and time stamps from the images, and provide users with data as well as highlight clips, which can be applied to strategic discussions or marketing.

Following the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020, which has posed a serious challenge to medical facilities worldwide, governments have come to realize how precious medical capacities are. As such, the policy focus of government agencies and medical institutions has to gradually incorporate mechanisms that reflecting patient risk levels as to optimize limited medical resources. FaceHeart's image-based vital sign measurement technology has the potential in becoming part of a home healthcare system that facilitates the efficiency of medical resource allocation in society due to its ease of use and high accuracy. As a result, FaceHeart's technology has recently gained the attention of the medical industry. According to Jerry Chang, president of FaceHeart, the company has submitted a clinical trial application to the FDA in 2022. If the process goes smoothly, the company will receive certifications between 2023 and 2025 for vital signs measurements. It would be able to capitalize on ample business opportunities arising from the new era of medical care.FaceHeart's image-based vital sign measurement technology can measure heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen, respiration, and other physiological data of a patient in a home environment by simply using a camera on a smartphone or tablet that captures the patient's face. Wearable devices such as smartwatches or wristbands used for an extended period of time or medical measurement equipment operated by professionals with the help of a third party are therefore, not required. Furthermore, all of this can be done with an accuracy that meets medical standards. Therefore, the technology is well suited for telemedicine applications. Jerry Chang pointed out that image-based vital sign measurement devices can be set up easily, accurately and quickly at home to capture patients' vital signs. In tomorrow's medical system, such devices could be used by patients with chronic diseases—they are able to recover at home if their physiological data is normal, or visit the hospital if the data is abnormal as directed by a physician, thereby optimizing the allocation of healthcare resources.In addition to appropriate allocation of healthcare resources, FaceHeart's image-based vital sign measurement technology has the potential to be included in the Medicare coverage. Jerry Chang explained that as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services updated its Medicare coverage guidelines in 2018 to include certain remote patient monitoring (RPM) services in the list of insurance benefits. FaceHeart's image-based vital sign measurement technology can be used for RPM covered by Medicare. For example, the technology can continuously measure and record patients' vital signs during various treatments, which is helpful to medical facilities in collecting relevant data and facilitating the operation of subsequent medical insurance mechanism. FaceHeart could benefit from becoming a Medicare device provider in two ways.First, the company would see an increased volume of sales, and second, insurance carriers would be made liable to process payment for the products, solving subsequent cash flow issues.FaceHeart's technology attracts attention of medical community for ease of use and high accuracyThe main reason for industry interest in FaceHeart's image-based vital sign measurement technology is its ease of use and high accuracy. These two key features are, in turn, a product of the company's professional team and years of clinical trials.Jerry Chang also pointed out that the team members serving as the backbone of FaceHeart have all been students or graduates of the College of Electrical and Computer Engineering of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, excelling in digital signal processor (DSP) technology. As a result, the team is able to eliminate noise interferences, which are common when using DSP, and elevate the accuracy of consumer electronics, such as smartphones and tablets, to that of medical devices. FaceHeart's team is also supported by two heavyweight consultants: Dr. Jui-Sheng Sun, superintendent of the Trauma and Emergency Center of the China Medical University Hospital, and Dr. Gau-Jun Tang, superintendent of the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hospital. Together, they ensure that FaceHeart's technology meets the needs of the medical industry.To bolster IRB's and clinical trials, FaceHeart has also collaborated with National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and En Chu Kong Hospital. Collecting more than 100 million medical records, the company used this huge amount of data to create a highly accurate measurement system based on the AI algorithm developed by FaceHeart's team.Currently, FaceHeart is looking to expand its global market presence. In 2022, the company applied to the FDA for a review of its technologies that measure vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen, and respiration. For each technology that passes the review, a device that measures the corresponding vital sign will be made commercially available. In the future, the company plans to apply for two additional important certifications: CE in the EU and HSA in Singapore, which will allow the company to export its technology overseas. In this regard, Jerry Chang is deeply appreciative of the policy support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the National Science and Technology Council. In particular, after participating in the Value Creation Program, FaceHeart was able to take part in technology fairs such as CES in the U.S. and VivaTech in France with the help of Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA). Jerry Chang also pointed out that FaceHeart has focused on overseas markets from the beginning. However, as a startup company, its resources are limited. Therefore, participating in these two major trade shows not only allowed the world to see FaceHeart and made its technology more visible, but also gave exposure to the team members. They are able to gain an understanding on market trends, as well as competitors' products. In addition, FaceHeart used the opportunity to develop various business models and explore further application opportunities. As a result, FaceHeart is able to improve the competitiveness of its products and take advantage of business opportunities in smart medicine in the post-pandemic era.