Fabless Challenge 5 Companies 5 Colors
Five companies selected for the Fabless Challenge competition reveal diverse technological capabilities
AI, wireless communication, energy harvesting, embedded flash, AR, etc.
[Editor's Note] Domestic fabless companies are struggling to transform into global innovative companies in the harsh system semiconductor environment where they account for only 1% of the global market share. While Samsung Electronics, which has a market share of over 40% in the memory sector, has entered the foundry ecosystem and laid the foundation for growth, domestic fabless companies with the potential to produce tens of thousands of system semiconductors are dreaming of innovation based on their own semiconductor IP. Five promising innovative fabless companies were selected at the recent Fabless Challenge. They introduced their respective system semiconductor portfolios and shared their innovation visions.
■ DeepX, “Evolving Things into Technology” 
▲Kim Nok-won, CEO of DeepX
DEEPX is a fabless company that designs AI semiconductors and possesses its own technological capabilities, including developing and securing NPU technology. DeepX, which has focused on developing core technologies for over three years, is currently attempting to enter the market by developing four products.
First, the DX-L1 is a product that can AI process data from one camera, and the DX-L2 can AI process data from three cameras simultaneously. The DX-M1 can process more than 10 cameras simultaneously, and the DX-H1 portfolio, which can process more than 10,000 cameras simultaneously as a server solution, was also unveiled. All products are being developed through Samsung Foundry using processes from 5nm to 28nm.
Kim Nok-won, CEO of DeepX, said, “The two core technologies in AI processors are △ the latest AI algorithm and △ intelligence.” The latest algorithms are not only smarter, but also lighter and require less computation. He also said that DeepX’s NPU has better power efficiency and accuracy than existing processors, such as GPUs.
“We hope to work more closely with Samsung Foundry to strengthen our NPU technology and, going forward, to be listed on the IP list,” said CEO Kim.
■ GLS, “Wireless World Goal” 
▲Eun Ki-chan, Vice President of GLS
GLS is a design-focused fabless company founded in 2017. It focuses on developing a product line that replaces communication cables and connectors with the goal of a wire-free world. We are developing millimeter wave RF transceiver IP for video transmission and are introducing the Zing chipset for wireless communication to the market.
Last year, GLS completed the development of the ZING200RT chipset, which boasts a wireless communication speed of 9Gbps, making wireless HDMI video data transmission possible. It demonstrated efficiency by transmitting 4K video and sound without compression, minimizing data loss and delay time.
Since digital display devices have numerous wired cables connected, GLS plans to first install the Zing chip in video devices that support video multi-display devices. Furthermore, it is expected to have various application fields and application areas such as △TV △digital signage △AR·VR.
Eun Ki-chan, Vice President of GLS, predicted, “Once the development of wireless TV is complete, it will likely be applicable to various Android product groups such as smartphones, AR/VR, and sound bars.” He expressed his vision of “building a new ecosystem for the IT industry by using chips that replace communication cables and connectors.”
■ SkyChips, “Batteryless Energy Harvesting” 
▲Lee Kang-yoon, CEO of Sky Chips
SKAIChips is a fabless startup company based in the Sungkyunkwan University Integrated Circuit Laboratory that offers RF, power, and AI solutions. Since its establishment, it has secured R&D capabilities, with approximately 70 researchers applying for and registering 55 patents over the past three years.
The technology SkyChips showcased through this challenge is 'energy harvesting'. It aims to develop a battery-free device that operates by harvesting energy from solar energy, electric lights, RF, etc. It is preparing to open up overseas markets by developing a controller power supply system required for IoT communication using renewable energy.
SkyChips will develop products using Samsung Foundry's 8-inch BCD1340HP process, and its primary goal is to incorporate the system into Samsung Electronics TV remote controls. After that, they are aiming to conquer the global market.
“We aim to grow into a global company that develops high-efficiency, low-power, and high-reliability semiconductors,” said Kang-Yoon Lee, CEO of SkyChips, an expert in power semiconductors and wireless communication ICs. “We will strive to become a successful role model for young people who dream of starting a business in Korea.”
■ Semibrain, “AI·Wireless Communication Semiconductor, Low-Power Non-Volatile Memory Required” 
▲Song Seung-hwan, CEO of Semibrain
Semibrain is the Korean subsidiary of Anaflash, an American company registered with KIC Silicon Valley under the Ministry of Science and ICT. We are developing embedded flash memory technology based on standard logic processes.
The artificial intelligence semiconductors and wireless communication chipsets introduced above will inevitably require low-power non-volatile memory for key parameters at 28 nm or less.
“Existing STT-M RAMs require many additional processes, which leads to high process costs and long manufacturing times, but they have fatal flaws,” said Song Seung-hwan, CEO of Semibrain. “Semibrain is dedicated to developing non-volatile, low-power memory technology that utilizes existing standard logic processes while meeting potential customer and foundry demands.”
Semibrain has developed an IP that reduces manufacturing time and cost and is expected to be manufactured using a 28nm process with the goal of commercialization in 2025. It also announced its goal of expanding its business to a product line of fine processes of 14nm or less in the future.
■ Raontech, “System on Display, a paradigm shift”
▲Kim Bo-eun, CEO of Laontech
Raontech is a fabless company specializing in AR/VR and micro display solutions, and has a portfolio necessary for the development of next-generation cutting-edge devices such as head-mounted displays (HMDs) and smart glasses.
“Future smart glasses will bring about a change in the display paradigm,” said Kim Bo-eun, CEO of Laontech. “The demand of the global AR market is ‘more He emphasized, “We are in the business of making ‘small’ displays.” Raontech’s micro displays are currently in ultra-small sizes ranging from 15mm to 11mm, and through this collaboration with Samsung Foundry, the company plans to go one step further in smaller sizes.
Laontech, which is attempting a bold challenge in the barren domestic smart glass ecosystem, dreams of a vision of producing a device in which the display itself becomes a system-on-display. To achieve this, collaboration with foundries, such as process development, is essential.
“Smart glasses are a market that is expected to increase shipments to several billion units,” said CEO Kim. “This requires preparations from foundry companies and the development of a fabless ecosystem.”
