[Edaily Reporter Shin Ha-yeon ] Sigetronics, Inc.(429270), a company specializing in specialized semiconductors, has begun mass production of avalanche photodiodes (APDs)—high-sensitivity optical sensors—and is expanding their applications to robots, drones, and LiDAR.

Sigetronics, Inc. announced on the 15th that it is mass-producing silicon (Si) APDs for short-range measurement at wavelengths of 540 nanometers (nm) and 660 nm in the visible light spectrum.

An APD is a highly sensitive photodetector that detects even the faintest light and amplifies the signal. It is used as a light-sensing device in applications such as laser rangefinders, robots, drones, and 3D scanners.

The company plans to first expand the supply of 540 nm and 660 nm APDs, focusing on specific customers and industrial applications, to secure a supply base of several million units annually.

In addition, the company is currently developing a 905nm infrared APD—used in industrial and automotive LiDAR systems—with the goal of beginning mass production by the end of this year. Once the 905nm product enters mass production, the company plans to expand its customer base and application areas to include robots, drones, and autonomous vehicles. The company expects this initiative to generate new revenue in the range of several billion won.

Sigetronics, Inc. manufactures APDs using its in-house 6-inch semiconductor production fab. Building on this capability, the company plans to secure new customers by supplying custom chips and wafers tailored to client requirements.

Sim Kyu-hwan, CEO of Sigetronics, Inc., stated, “APDs are core optical sensors essential for AI to perceive the real world,” adding, “Starting with the mass production of 905nm products at the end of this year, we will expand our market into the LiDAR sector and establish APDs as a new growth engine for the company.”

Meanwhile, Sigetronics, Inc. is a company that develops and manufactures specialized semiconductors, including power semiconductors and sensor semiconductors. Leveraging its in-house 6-inch semiconductor fabrication facility (Fab), the company handles everything from design to device and process development to production, and is expanding its product lineup to include gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors, as well as optical sensors.