One of the key drivers shaping the future of the next-generation semiconductor market is Gallium Nitride (GaN). Thanks to its high-speed and high-efficiency characteristics, GaN semiconductors are rapidly replacing traditional silicon (Si)-based components in applications such as electric vehicles, drones, satellite communications, 5G base stations, and data centers—particularly where high power and high frequency are required.

In Korea, few companies have developed GaN-based power devices with full-scale in-house production infrastructure. Sigetronics Co., Ltd. has emerged as a leader, filling this critical gap and positioning itself as a rare integrated device manufacturer (IDM) advancing specialized semiconductor self-sufficiency.

Founded in 2008, Sigetronics focuses on producing high-value-added semiconductor products including ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection devices, optical sensors, power semiconductors, and providing foundry services. The company operates Korea’s only full 6-inch fab for specialized semiconductors (M-FAB), enabling a vertically integrated production system—from design and epitaxy to deposition, lithography, etching, and final testing—all under one roof. This level of manufacturing autonomy gives the company a strong competitive edge in high-reliability, customized applications such as defense and aerospace.

One of Sigetronics' flagship technologies is its GaN-on-Si power FETs. These devices offer higher power density and efficiency than traditional Si-based power devices in high-voltage, high-speed switching environments. They also maintain stable performance in high temperatures and are ideal for compact designs used in EV chargers, high-power server power supplies, drones, and satellite systems.

The company has also developed GaN-on-SiC RF power transistors, which support a wide frequency range from S-band to Ka-band. These components are applicable to high-frequency communication and radar systems and serve as critical components for Korea’s defense programs including AESA radar, KF-21 fighter jets, FA-50, and the KDDX naval destroyer project.

In the sensor domain, Sigetronics is expanding its portfolio of high-performance products targeting medical and healthcare applications. The company’s Flip Chip PD has been successfully mass-produced for wearable devices measuring heart rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure. Meanwhile, its APD (Avalanche Photo Diode) is used in autonomous vehicles, LiDAR, drones, and night vision equipment, where high-sensitivity optical detection is essential. Sigetronics is already working with over 30 domestic and international customers and began mass shipping to China in 2025.

In the ESD device sector, the company’s Flip Chip TVS products are optimized for automotive applications such as high-output LED lighting and smart key protection. These products—previously produced only by select advanced global companies—are now being mass-produced by Sigetronics for the first time in Korea, with exports expanding to China, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

Sigetronics has also built a production system for MCT (MOS Controlled Thyristor), a component classified as a strategic material subject to export control. Through partnerships with domestic defense contractors, the company is now preparing for global market entry.

Leveraging its core competencies, Sigetronics continues to expand its product portfolio across wearable tech, automotive electronics, defense, aerospace, and energy markets. The company is also working closely with the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) to internalize core technologies like MCT, GaN RF, and high-sensitivity APDs through continuous tech transfer and process development. These efforts are supported by a proprietary R&D roadmap inspired by leading sensor companies like Japan’s Hamamatsu.

Dr. Deokho Cho, Head of R&D at Sigetronics, stated,

“We are one of the few IDM companies in Korea capable of designing and manufacturing specialized non-memory semiconductors in-house. Operating a fab requires massive upfront investment and long-term development strategies. That’s why localizing GaN RF power transistors—core components for Korean defense systems—is not only essential for export control compliance and supply chain security, but a nationally strategic priority.”

He added,

“To build a complete semiconductor ecosystem that spans space, defense, and automotive sectors, long-term investment and support at the national level is just as crucial as industry-led efforts.”

Over the next five years, Sigetronics plans to accelerate its entry into the ultra-high-frequency communications and aerospace semiconductor markets by securing proprietary mass-production capabilities for GaN-on-SiC RF power semiconductors. Simultaneously, the company aims to expand its Flip Chip sensor lineup to meet growing demand in the medical and smart device sectors—solidifying its position as a front-runner in the localization of high-reliability specialized semiconductors.

Engineering Journal, June 30, 2025