3D Sensing market can be expected, see Apple's 3D structure light industry chain latest developments

According to micro-network news, last year Apple launched the 10th anniversary version of the iPhone X, which is equipped with 3D Sensing face recognition with VCSEL as the core component. It has quickly become a new feature in the industry. iPhone X Face Recognition Once again lead the mobile phone industry to open a new wave of innovation cycle upgrade.

Huawei is about to join, 3D Sensing market is expected

Since the Apple iPhone iPhone X equipped with the 3D Sensing camera to detonate the market, domestic mobile phone brands are also equipped with 3D structured optical components on the newly launched smart phones.

Recently, the newly released Android mobile phone Xiaomi 8 exploration version is equipped with Mantis Vision coded structured light scheme; OPPO's FIND X mobile phone also uses 3D structured optical module to create 3D precision millimeter precision by projecting 15000 light spots to the human face. Depth map, and quickly compare with user information. Similarly, Huawei expects that the relevant models will also be equipped with 3D Sensing in the second half of this year.

According to Trend Force, the 3D Sensing market will grow geometrically in the next few years. By 2020, the 3D Sensing market will reach 10.849 billion US dollars. The market space for 3D sensing will reach 18 billion US dollars in 2023, and the combined growth in 2018-2023. The speed reached 44%. Among them, 3D Sensing's penetration rate in the smartphone market continues to increase, and the 3D Sensing penetration rate is expected to increase from 2.1% in 2017 to 28.6% in 2020.

According to Deutsche Bank, the number of smartphones (iPhones) equipped with 3D Sensing modules in 2017 was 38 million units, and the rate of loading on smartphones was only 3%. In 2018, 3D Sensing modules were implemented on Android phones. The demand for 3D Sensing modules in the smartphone market is expanding. It is predicted that the number of iPhones equipped with 3D Sensing modules will reach 440 million units in 2020, and the number of Android phones equipped with 3D Sensing will reach 465 million units. 3D Sensing on smartphones The loading rate will reach 38%.

It can be said that 3D Sensing has developed rapidly. The behind-the-scenes hero is VCSEL, VCSEL (Vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser), which is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser. It combines high output power, high conversion efficiency and high quality beam. Compared with LED and edge-emitting laser EEL, it is superior in terms of accuracy, miniaturization, low power consumption and reliability.

Apple actively deploys 3D Sensing field

The 3D Sensing core components used in the iPhone X include dot projectors, proximity sensors (TOF) and floodilluminators.

The iPhone X Infrared Dot Matrix Projector is implemented with VCSEL diodes in conjunction with active diffractive optics and folded optics. The iPhone X flood illuminator uses a near-infrared VCSEL to ensure proper operation of the system in darker environments by emitting auxiliary infrared light. The TOF proximity sensor measures the distance between the user and the phone. When the user answers the call, the screen is automatically turned off.

In the field of optics, Apple has always maintained its leading position in the industry. Today's popular 3D camera technology, Apple began to deploy in 2010. Today, Apple has acquired a number of related technology companies.

3D Sensing supply chain is perfecting

At present, the global 3D Sensing supply chain is becoming more and more perfect. VCSEL design manufacturers Lumentum, II-VI, Finisar, AMS, VCSEL epitaxial wafer supplier IQE, new optoelectronics and Taiwan wafer foundry are stable, and crystal power has been laid out 3D Sensing field.

VCSEL design links: Lumentum, II-VI, Finisar, AMS

Lumentum is a professional optical manufacturer whose products are mainly used in data communication, telecommunications networks, commercial lasers and 3D sensing in consumer electronics. The company entered Apple's 3D Sensing supply chain in 2017, with outstanding performance in the year, acquired in March 2018. Oclaro will promote technological innovation and accelerate product development. VCSEL and 3D Sensing products will make significant contributions to the company's performance in 2019. The company is expected to be in the leading position for a long time.

II-VI Incorporated is the world's leading manufacturer of industrial materials. Its laser division has introduced several VCSEL products and has been adopted by some VR products. The company acquired the 6-inch wafer fab Kaiam in August 2017 to strengthen the competition in VCSEL. To expand its 6-inch device manufacturing capabilities, the company will continue to work with 3D Sensing customers to expand market penetration and build a broader product portfolio to achieve a diverse sales terminal market, including automotive and industrial markets.

Finisar is the world's largest and most technologically advanced supplier of optical communication devices. The company maintains 150 million VCSEL shipments per year in terms of VCSEL manufacturing technology and production capacity. In December 2017, the company entered the Apple 3D Sensing supply chain, and Received Apple's $390 million advance payment to support R&D and mass production of VCSEL lasers. The company opened a facility in Sherman, Texas, to develop and manufacture VCSEL 6-inch wafers, and is expected to begin batching in the second half of 2018. supply.

AMS completed the acquisition of a 100% stake in Princeton in July 2017. Princeton is committed to the development and supply of high-performance VCSELs. With this acquisition, AMS will be able to grow markets for mobile 3D sensing and imaging, automotive autonomous driving, etc. Design and manufacture the most complete and differentiated optical solutions.

VCSEL epitaxial film link: IQE, new photoelectric

IQE is a silicon wafer company based in Cardiff, Wales, UK. IQE is the market and technology leader in VCSEL products with compound semiconductor technology enabling optical interconnects. In 2013, IQE and Philips signed an index wafer supply contract. And jointly develop vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) products for end market applications. As of mid-2017, IQE has accounted for 60% of the market share of epitaxial wafers. Recently, its legal representative revealed to the relevant media that the company is in VCSEL crystal. The round market accounts for about 80% of the market and supplies almost all companies in the end market.

The silicon wafer produced by IQE is a necessary part of the VCSEL used by 3D sensors. After rumored to be the supplier of Apple's new iPhone VCSEL laser in 2017, the company's share price soared by about 400% in the short term. According to foreign analyst analysis, IQE in 2019 The sensor business only comes from Apple's revenue and hopes to reach $50 million.

As VCSEL technology continues to mature and applications expand, VCSEL's market demand continues to expand, and IQE has adopted capacity expansion plans. In February 2018, IQE announced that it will add a new production line to produce related VCSEL components. Still the only known VCSEL EPI epitaxial wafer supplier for the Apple iPhone family.

Taiwanese manufacturer New Optoelectronics has accumulated nearly 15 years of epitaxial and chip technology. At present, VCSEL epitaxial wafers have been sent to Apple. Although it still needs to wait for Apple's product review, the company will join Apple's iPhone series mobile phones and other devices. The VCSEL 3D sensor supply chain is listed as one of the company's main business objectives in 2018. Once this review is approved, New Optoelectronics is expected to become the second VCSEL epitaxial wafer supplier outside of IQE. It is revealed that the company will be in 2018. Production of 6-inch VCSEL epitaxial wafers began in the second quarter of the year.

VCSEL foundry link: stable, crystal

In 2017, the company successfully entered the Apple iPhone X 3D Sensing supply chain, and its performance has grown rapidly. The rest of the competitors need to change the 4-inch device to the 6-inch device if they want to enter the mobile 3D Sensing market. Threat. The company will spend about 7 billion NT dollars this year to purchase equipment and add production lines to meet customers' capacity needs in the second half of the year.

In addition, Jingdian has recently split the semiconductor foundry business and established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Jingcheng, which will focus on semiconductor foundry businesses such as VCSEL and GaN on Si power electronic components. The 4-inch VCSEL business will be based on data communication. Main, 6-inch locks 3D Sensing. The company currently has the capability to ship VCSEL distance sensors. The VCSEL technology for 3D Sensing is in the certification stage and is expected to win the first 3D Sensing OEM in the 4th quarter of 2018. Customers, the company will continue to change the machine, expand VCSEL capacity, and increase the VCSEL capacity by 25%.

It is estimated that Crystal will start producing VCSELs for Apple iPhone from the second quarter, and Android VCSEL products will begin shipping in the second half of the year. As for the technical part of VCSEL, Crystal has the ability to ship VCSEL distance sensors. However, VCSEL technology for 3D Sensing is still in the certification stage. It is expected that Jingcheng will win the first non-Apple 3D Sensing OEM customer in the fourth quarter of this year, and will achieve the next 12 months. Lee.

Changjiang Electronics Technology is developing 3D Sensing module for iPhone

According to ETNews, Apple's next-generation iPhone will add 3D Sensing technology to the rear three cameras. From a specification point of view, compared to the iPhone X launched last fall, the front camera is equipped with 3D Sensing technology. Development. The front can be used to unlock, and the rear can enhance the enhanced display (AR) experience. Related suppliers have also revealed.

According to industry news on June 3, JCCK, a subsidiary of China Changjiang Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. (JCET), has been working with Apple since the beginning of this year, and is developing a 3D Sensing module in the middle of the rear three camera module for iPhone. The overall camera Whether the assembly of the module is handled by JSCK has not been determined. Because the 3D Sensing module is the core, if the development project is successful, it may also be responsible for the assembly of the three camera module.

JSCK plans to complete the development of related modules early next year, and mass production by the end of the second quarter of 2019. If it can meet all the requirements of Apple, it will compete with existing module companies such as LG Innotek. JSCK proposed to Apple that if the project can be successfully developed, it will require Apple to allocate 30% of the output.

It is reported that JSCK's predecessor was Hyundai Electronics (now SK Hynix) Semiconductor Assembly Division. In 1998, after being separated into ChipPAC Korea, it was acquired by Singapore Stats in 2004 and changed its name to Stats ChipPAC. Stats ChipPAC was sold to China in 2015. JCET. In 2015, the newly established JSCK factory in the Incheon International Airport Free Trade Zone was mainly responsible for the packaging operation of Apple, and it was called 'Apple Special Line'.

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