SENSOR CHINA: Amid calls for domestic substitution, semiconductor manufacturers need more determination to make breakthroughs

In 2020, the pandemic ravaged the world and the economic environment faced downward pressure, but the domestic semiconductor industry did not slump. At the same time, against the backdrop of an unclear international situation and a market full of uncertainty, a group of semiconductor manufacturers rooted in China and optimistic about the development of the Chinese market gathered together to appear at SENSOR CHINA 2020.

Suzhou Naxin Microelectronics: Maintain your focus and don’t lose yourself in the heat of capital or industry

As the first professional IC design company for sensor systems in China, Naxin Microelectronics highlighted two products at this year's SENSOR CHINA. One is the newly released automotive-grade LIN bus interface sensor signal conditioning chip NSA (C) 9262, and the other is the MEMS integrated gauge pressure sensor NSPGD1 in DIP8 package with air nozzle.

It can be said that "high quality" and "wide coverage" are important labels of Naxin Micro's products. It is understood that the company's main products focus on signal chains, including sensors and digital isolators. The products are widely used in automobiles, industry, consumer electronics, and home appliances. In addition, Naxin Micro has another very important development direction - making cars.

Gao Honglian, vice president of marketing and director of sensor product line at Nanochip Microelectronics, said in an interview at SENSOR CHINA 2020 that the company's strategic goal for the next five years will still focus on the signal chain, and will combine product content and continue to make layouts to strive to become an industry leader.

In terms of automotive electronics, Nanochip is also determined to become a supplier of automotive chips. Gao Honglian pointed out, "Our starting point is generally to be customer-oriented, that is, to lay out products for customers' short-term, medium-term and long-term needs.

However, it must be acknowledged that while local manufacturers are taking a share of the domestic market, foreign manufacturers should not be underestimated. In the world's largest semiconductor market, Chinese domestic suppliers are constantly honing their skills and trying to break down the technical barriers of the international industry bit by bit.

Gao Honglian also gave a consistent answer to this question. He pointed out that, first of all, downstream system manufacturers are increasingly aware of the importance of diversified supply, and timely product replacement can greatly reduce the risk of production projects. In addition, the technical level of domestic suppliers is also constantly improving. Compared with the past 20 years or even 10 years, the level of domestic chip suppliers has made a "qualitative" leap. Therefore, under the guidance of downstream customers, design companies provide products that meet market demand, and the two sides are increasingly compatible in terms of matching.

In addition, regarding the increasingly perfect supply chain system and competition landscape in China, Gao Honglian said, "Competition will definitely continue to exist, and competition is a good thing. If there is no competition, an industry will stagnate and become stagnant. Therefore, in this regard, we welcome competition very much, and we are not afraid of competition."

Gao Honglian further pointed out that competitiveness is the core of a company facing a complex competitive landscape. To survive in this market, it must have its own uniqueness.

Gao Honglian added, "Manufacturers should not only develop what they are good at, but also develop in the direction where downstream customers have real needs. Only by combining these two aspects can the final product be truly implemented, rather than remaining at the PPT or concept stage."

However, we must not lose ourselves because of the capital market or the industry enthusiasm of this era. Gao Honglian said that semiconductor companies should maintain their own focus, focus on their own development direction and core competitiveness, and continue to run on their own track, rather than making layouts everywhere.

Wuxi Xinganzhi Semiconductor: Focus on industry gaps, seize them and grow bigger and stronger step by step

For many domestic semiconductor manufacturers, the opportunities brought by the epidemic are greater than the challenges. Wuxi Xinganzhi Semiconductor Co., Ltd., which focuses on MEMS pressure sensors, is no exception.

It is understood that the shipment of Wuxi Xinganzhi's MEMS pressure sensors was also hindered to a certain extent when the epidemic caused the factory to stop production. Liu Tongqing, general manager of the company, pointed out, "We set up a packaging and testing plant at the end of April. Now in our industry chain, except for wafer manufacturing, we are doing everything from chip design to packaging and testing, as well as the calibration of the entire machine module."

In addition to forcing companies to seek independence, the epidemic has also promoted the growth of the industry to a certain extent. In this regard, Liu Tongqing said that this year's epidemic has had a little effect on the growth of the company's performance. After the epidemic is over, the shipment growth of pressure sensors will be very, very fast, and the breakthrough in volume will also be very fast, at least two or three times higher than in previous years.

According to Liu Tongqing, the company's monthly shipments are currently around 2 million units. He also pointed out that the company's MEMS pressure sensor product models are currently the most comprehensive in China. In addition to many products being benchmarked against domestic peers, many products are also aimed at some international manufacturers, such as Honeywell.

But at the same time, he also pointed out that we can only start from some small sub-sectors, explore our own experience, and continuously improve our level.

As we all know, sensors are a very niche industry, and no manufacturer in the world can provide products that cover all aspects. We should focus on the gaps in the industry, and then expand step by step, so that we can gradually compete with the international mainstream market and have a voice.

In addition, facing the competitive pressure from international sensor chip giants, Liu Tongqing also pointed out that domestic end customers have realized that localization may be a big trend. Under the dual influence of the trade war and the epidemic, localization is expected to be faster and faster, and we are confident that many of our products will enter the first-tier brands in the future.

Aizhi Sensor (Shanghai): Sharpening the knife does not delay the chopping of wood, and localization also takes time

For more than 50 years, Aichi Sensors has been at the forefront of air quality sensor technology.

In an interview, Zha Zhongfang, the company's deputy general manager for Asia Pacific, vividly described SGX as "an academic enterprise." It is understood that the company's products are widely used in automobile air quality monitoring, indoor air quality testing, and industrial safety detection of flammable and explosive gases and toxic gases.

At SENSOR CHINA 2020, Aizhi Sensor also brought solutions including sensors for automotive thermal runaway, gas, etc.

Compared with its competitors, Zha Zhongfang said that the advantages of Aizhi Sensors lie in its technology and R&D capabilities, as well as customizable product development. In terms of the same industry, the company's actions are often early, fast and accurate. Specifically, the company's research and development of gas sensors will target the laws and regulations of the country. In addition to precise benchmarking, the company can also provide timely feedback and use more accurate technology to launch corresponding products.

Zha Zhongfang further said that the company’s annual sales in the country can now reach more than 2 million units, accounting for almost more than half of the market share.

With such advantages, Aizhi Sensor is naturally accelerating its global expansion. Regarding this aspect, Zha Zhongfang said that the internal motivation of the entire group is very strong, because after SGX was acquired by Amphenol, it had the support of the group's funds, plus the technological advantages, which can be said to be a strong combination.

As for external conditions, with the development of the automobile industry, people's requirements for the quality of air inside the car, and even the impact of the outside environment on the air inside the car, are getting higher and higher. SGX's products just meet this demand.

What Aichi Sensor needs to do now is to be "stable", that is, to develop products in a targeted manner targeting the markets of concern.

In addition, Zha Zhongfang also emphasized, "The Group and SGX are very optimistic about the Chinese market. We will gradually transfer the entire industrial chain to the Chinese region. The localization layout of products has already begun, but due to the difficulty, it will take some time."

Weichuan Intelligent Technology (Changzhou): Strive to produce better domestic sensors and get rid of import dependence as soon as possible

"We are working hard to produce better domestic sensors for everyone so that we can get rid of our dependence on imports as soon as possible," said Zhu Yiming, sales manager of Weichuan Intelligent Technology, in an interview.

This is a relatively young sensor company, but it has a mission and responsibility that are inconsistent with it.

Zhu Yiming said that in recent years, domestic sensors have mainly relied on foreign imports, while Weichuan Technology has focused on continuous breakthroughs in the field of motion sensors with ARM magnetic technology as the core and combined with MEMS. "Today, Weichuan Technology's core technology is no less than that of other domestic brands, and we have local advantages in customer application services."

In addition, Zhu Yiming said that Weichuan Technology is also increasing its investment in research and development, accelerating the integration of integrated circuits and sensors, and adding AI algorithms to improve product performance, striving to create better domestic sensors for everyone, hoping to get rid of dependence on imports as soon as possible.