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.

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.

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.

The rapid growth of e-commerce platforms has come in the wake of changes in consumer shopping patterns. And with the recent COVID-19 pandemic, online shopping has become both a common routine and an indispensable part of life for most people nowadays. According to a report from Euromonitor International, the annual growth of e-commerce in 2020 reached 26.94% globally, and it showed double-digit growth over the next few years. This wave has driven more SMEs and individual sellers to sell their products to overseas markets through cross-border e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Alibaba. On top of that, there are also many dropshipping companies on the market without warehousing and inventory, meaning that after the buyer places an order, the dropshipping company will deliver the goods directly to the wholesaler, avoiding the pressures of keeping inventory and making deliveries. However, regardless of the sales model, these individual sellers and SME e-commerce companies often ignore the complex process involved in cross-border sales, so their overall performance has not met expectations for growth.Although Amazon, Alibaba, and other cross-border e-commerce platforms can provide services such as customs clearance, declaration, and logistics provider consultation, SME e-commerce companies still have to choose a suitable logistics provider on their own and complete account opening, identity verification, fill out cargo information, complete the declaration form, among other steps, before completing the delivery work. In addition to dealing with that complicated procedure, sellers must also be familiar with pricing methods, which vary across logistics companies, in order to balance cost and time. While it micro commerce not abundantly apparent, these extra considerations increase the operating burden for SME e-commerce companies, but at the same time they have promoted the rise of new logistics companiesDuncan Hui, general manager of Spaceship, an international logistics platform, said that even professional logistics teams at big e-commerce companies are not always familiar with the relative advantages of logistics companies or how each company requires its electronic forms to be filled out, so it goes without saying that it is even less possible for the teams at SME e-commerce companies to distinguish those differences. It is also the case that the freight calculation standards of logistics companies differ between corporate and individual users. That means that SME ecommerce companies often have to pay higher fees, just adding to the overall operating burden. Focusing on the operational pain points of SME ecommerce, recently emerging logistics startups have cooperated with international logistics companies while also making use of big data applications and computing, to help SME ecommerce operators shrink the delivery process, lower operating costs, and become more competitive in the e-commerce market.Combining big data and AI to complete delivery in minutesSpaceship, a new Hong Kong startup, combines the experience of a professional logistics team with a logistics and software ecosystem that empowers ecommerce merchants and consumers to reduce costs while delivering a reliable and efficient end to end shipping experience. It currently works with more than 30 global logistics services to provide a one-stop convenient delivery platform that helps consumers and SME ecommerce companies find delivery services that meet their service demands. Using innovative technology and AI, it launched an international shipment booking and management online platform, which provides one-click, real-time price comparison and booking services that is optimized for e-commerce delivery including delivery time prediction, tax prediction and more. This platform simplifies the complicated international shipping process, and greatly shortens the time to process a shipment order by nearly 6 folds.In addition to establishing partnerships with more than 30 logistics companies, Spaceship can also use big data analysis technology to recommend the optimal delivery plan according to the user's shipment information and automatically notify and assist users with special delivery requirements. Using its 24-hour online reservation system, users can book point-to-point logistics services in more than 280 countries around the world with a single click and with exclusive discount price; they can even arrange shipments online anytime, anywhere.Hui pointed out that Spaceship team members, with their abundant experience in the logistics industry, are well aware of the logistics pain points for SME e-commerce in the delivery of goods. That is why, in the design of the software operation interface and logistics distribution process, they began from thinking from the user's point of view. Compared with the traditional, self-initiated delivery process, it is both more convenient and efficient, greatly reduces delivery time, and has received high marks from users.The highly active venture-capital scene of Hong Kong with the enthusiasm of the startup team in TaiwanAlthough Spaceship was established in Hong Kong, it also saw the bigger scale of Taiwan's market and its more mature e-commerce environment, so it didn't take long after launching services in Hong Kong that the team set up an operating base in Taiwan to provide innovative delivery services for consumers and e-commerce operators. Spaceship believes that the evaluation of VC companies in Hong Kong and Taiwan, two places where the team has fundraising experience, focuses on uniqueness and the future prospects.Hui said that in addition to setting up a company in Taiwan, Spaceship has also cooperated with legal entities such as the Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA), and has obtained opportunities to participate in various programs and activities. It has also obtained investment from teams such as 500 Global, SparkLabs Taiwan, and Paragon Investment. Through its cooperation with the TTA, it was also invited to participate in Meet Taipei, where the Spaceship team interacted and learned from other startup teams, the energy of Taiwan startup companies making a deep impression on them. While it is growing quite fast in terms of performance in Taiwan and Hong Kong, Spaceship also plans to enter more mature markets, such as Southeast Asia, Japan, and the US, in 2023, and strive to capitalize on the business opportunities in international logistics and distribution.Spaceship General Manager Duncan HuiPhoto: CompanySpaceship

Tensions in international trade since 2018 have complicated supply chain resilience for the leading top-tier brands within the electronics industry. Complex customer clearance and high tariffs have risen to the top of many purchasing problem-solving agendas. The need for supply chains outside of Greater China has become a prominent hot topic within corporate strategies. As the world experienced strict Chinese governmental lockdowns during the COVID-19 (New Coronavirus Pneumonia) epidemic, over-reliance on manufacturing within the Mainland called for alternative solutions. The moving trend towards Southeast Asian countries has since escalated.Manufacturing since trade tensions surfaced has primarily reshuffled towards alternative countries of origin (COOs) such as Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. As manufacturers face new challenges in foreign countries, one supplier has since localized for decades within Southeast Asia (SEA). In the 1980s, Harmony Electronics strategically chose Thailand as its first overseas manufacturing site. They have successfully made a name for themselves locally as a stable manufacturing powerhouse in the small town of Banpong, approximately two hours west of Central Bangkok. With the success of the first plant coming online in 1989, Harmony Electronics is currently expanding a second major manufacturing site approximately an hour North-East away from Banpong in the town of Om Noi. The first stages of building up to mass production will be ready as early as late 2023. A projected overall capacity increase of approximately 10% is targeted once the plant starts operations. With the successful ramping up of mass production in Om Noi, a total of 25% increase is expected in contribution to the overall Harmony group capacity.With the worldwide trend in manufacturing moving out-of-China (OOC), C. Ching Yang, Vice-President of Harmony Group, is conscious of the structural, cultural, and managerial challenges while setting up production in a foreign country. Yang further comments, 'For Harmony Electronics, it will certainly be a much easier road for the new plant in Omnoi than for others just recently entering the ASEAN space'. Since Harmony's presence in Thailand in 1989, the company has cultivated an experienced management team that is well-versed in the Thai language, local customs, and other many aspects of Thailand's culture. Localization is not Harmony's long-term goal or strategic vision; it is a current reality. Over half of Harmony's current upper management team can converse fluently in the local language in daily management. Harmony's ability to service the SEA region and Thai domestic sales ability extemplo differentiates them from other industry newcomers who may compete within the same geographical territory.Yang further elaborates, that Harmony is currently the only Taiwanese timing device manufacturer able to provide full-process assembly in SEA under their corporate management. Due to Harmony's early entry advantages within Thailand, numerous major brand customers have since approached them for strategic supply negotiations. These customers are looking to not only transfer their supply chain to SEA, but preferably to do so with the least purchasing risk possible. Harmony's maturity in Thailand is a core competence few currently possess within the timing industry.Ching Yang, Vice-President of Harmony Electronics Corporation, currently heads Harmony Group's Crystal Device Division and is responsible for overseeing production expansion in Omnoi, ThailandPhoto: Harmony Electronics CorporationExpanding Thailand's Production Base as Demand for Timing Devices IncreaseTiming device plays an important role in all electronic devices. Quartz-based timing devices are the purest form of timing. The product is essential in converting high and low signal frequencies and filtering noise within the correct time and speed specification in an electrical circuit. This function can be achieved with a quartz crystal resonator. Another commonly used timing device in circuit design is the quartz oscillator. The quartz oscillator is a combination of the quartz crystal resonator and an IC within an oscillation circuit design. Based on various frequency control methods such as CMOS, LVDS, LV-PECL, HCSL, etc., quartz oscillators can be further divided into other timing product categories. These include popular devices such as the temperature-compensated oscillator (TCXO), the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCXO), the voltage-compensated and temperature-compensated oscillator (VC-TCXO), and so on. Further advanced assembly has also been achieved with the quartz crystal resonator. A thermistor can now be placed within the substrate of the crystal resonator, keeping the temperature variance between the crystal and thermistor at a minimum. This 2-in-1 thermistor crystal specialty product has one of the largest scaled-up production capacities in Harmony. As consumer electronics products and gadgets continue to proliferate in the lives of the public, the growth of demand for quartz components is expected in the long run. Rapid popularization of electric vehicles, advances in 5G, and AI applications, are only a few of the current applications that have brought an increase for quartz-based timing devices.Harmony Electronics has been manufacturing quartz crystals, quartz oscillators, and other quartz-related, ceramic substrate-based electronic components for nearly half a century. Since the establishment of the company in 1976, Harmony has been working in collaboration with Japan's Daishinku Corporation (KDS) on technology, design, and quality for timing devices. Long-standing customer base includes major electronic EMS' and their end customers. Harmony has consistently placed top ten in worldwide ranking annually. With existing manufacturing facilities in Taiwan, Guangdong, and Thailand, Harmony's products include a value-added addition of purchasing flexibility for their customers. Current major applications for Harmony products include industrial, communications, networking, consumer, and automotive. The trend in product performance has been geared towards miniaturization and high operating temperatures to keep in line with technological advances.Harmony Electronics Corporation headquarters, located in Kaoshiung, Taiwan. Harmony is one of the few true manufacturing of timing devices worldwidePhoto: Harmony Electronics CorporationVice-President Yang highlights the importance of diversifying operational risks, even when trade tensions are not evident. Since 2000, China has become a major global production base for consumer electronic goods. Even so, Harmony Electronics has retained significant manufacturing operations in Thailand during and after its expansion to China that same year. Manufacturing experience in China in the 2000s allowed corporate strategy to take a long-term comparative look at the pros and cons of manufacturing in culturally different regions. Harmony's operational risk diversity has benefited from a long-term study of producing multinationally. A healthy proportion of Harmony's overall capacity has always been focused on Thai production, thus ensuring the growth of experience for the local management team and the nurturing of internal local talent. At the end of 2014, Yang's team decisively purchased land for a second factory in Omnoi, an industrial zone adjacent to Bangkok. The decision took into account the rapid changes in Chinese law and regulations and a projected long-term increase in demand for quartz components in the international market. In addition to Harmony Thailand's own cash funds, 400 million additional funds from the headquarters in Taiwan were injected into Thailand between 2021 and 2022 to financially aid new construction. The Omnoi factory is currently scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023 at the earliest and will be mass-produced in three phases to welcome the wave of supply chain restructuring.Thailand Omnoi will continue to expand on Harmony's existing management expertise in SEA managementMany Taiwanese manufacturers have chosen to set up production bases in Thailand amid global supply chain restructuring. While work has begun for many new corporate entrants in Thailand, actual ROI results from new investments in Thailand would not be conclusive in the short term. In comparison, Harmony's second expansion in Thailand will bring less risk for its investors and customers. Yang points out, 'Familiarity in local culture, regulations, and language is a core competence difficult to ascertain, even with the correct talent. The quickest and most appropriate progression from pilot-run to mass production in Thailand is a familiar road for Harmony. This knowledge gives our company a greater degree of control over overseas investment stability. It will invariably help the Harmony brand maintain a favorable position in the global market whilst simultaneously attracting new international customers and investors.'Combining R&D with SEA country of origin advantages to seize new business opportunitiesVarying degrees of governmental lockdown policies during the COVID-19 epidemic led to an upsurge in demand for computers, mobile devices, and other electronic products. Unfortunately, excessive purchasing eventually led to a Bullwhip Effect in supply and demand. The predicament of excessively high inventory levels in the past two years has resulted in soft worldwide demand across the majority of the electronics industry, particularly within the consumer segment. A return to relative normality is expected after 2023, but many experts remain conservative in their predictions. Harmony Electronics has quickly refocused its targeted segments to other more promising applications and markets to maintain stable operations.With over a hundred quartz timing component brands worldwide, Yang gives insight that few are true manufacturers. Whilst the OEM strategy for these brands is respectable in their own right, Harmony differentiates as being the source of the industry assembly supply for timing devices. As a true manufacturer, Harmony is active in all levels of the multi-tiered timing supply chain. Top customers for Harmony include international brands, assembly contract manufacturers (CMs), as well as OEM/ODM and private labeling for other timing brands. Harmony caters to a multitude of applications for such customers, including products used in the safety-sensitive sector for automotive use. Harmony's strength do not solely lie within the context of geography. Backed with a well-rounded manufacturing resume for a variety of markets, Harmony aims to utilize its advantages in R&D capabilities, quality, and production scale to serve all customers with a need for timing. The company also hopes to be able to help the local SEA market gain greater purchasing flexibility and sourcing advantages, thus strengthening the competitiveness of the regional supply chain ecosystem.Arial view of Harmony Omnoi, Thailand, currently at the end of construction and ready to come online at the height of current supply chain reorganizationPhoto: Harmony Electronics Corporation