TVS, or transient voltage suppressor, is a new type of high-efficiency circuit protection device commonly used. It has an extremely fast response time (sub-nanosecond) and a fairly high surge absorption capability, and can be used to protect equipment or circuits from static electricity, transient voltages generated when inductive load switching, and excessive voltage generated by inductive lightning. Voltage. Ordinary TVS diodes are formed by a single PN junction structure, which has a single structure and a simple process. ESD protection devices have higher requirements on structural design and process, and the structure is more complex. Generally, it is designed as a multi-channel PN junction integrated structure, and adopts multiple epitaxy, double-sided expansion or trench design. ESD protection devices can ensure that miniaturized integrated circuit chips are effectively protected, representing the current technical level and development direction of TVS. TVS/ESD protection devices have a wide range of applications. With the promotion of 5G infrastructure and markets such as 5G mobile phones, electric vehicle charging piles, personal computers, and industrial electronics, industry insiders expect TVS/ESD protection devices to grow significantly.
According to the subject database of the Financial Associated Press, among the relevant listed companies:
Coreguide TVS and ESD products have successfully entered the mobile phone brand manufacturers such as Xiaomi, Transsion and TCL, and some TVS, MOS and other product technologies and performances developed can be applied to automotive electronics.
Jiejie Microelectronics has passed the IATF16949 automotive industry quality system certification, and some TVS products are used in charging piles in new energy vehicles.
TSMC plans to increase the 8-inch mature process foundry quotation by about 10-20% in the third quarter. Its 12-inch mature and advanced process is still under evaluation.
IC designers further pointed out that at present, the mature process capacity represented by 8 inches is still very popular, and the expansion of production is still limited. TSMC should be able to raise prices smoothly, which will also drive the second-tier factories whose growth has slowed down. .
With the rising demand in downstream markets such as electric vehicles, 5G smartphones, and servers, supply-side production capacity is frequently tight. In the foundry link, the shortage of mature process capacity is even worse.
Earlier reports said that this year's domestic 8-inch semiconductor foundry capacity bookings have actually ended, and it is expected that this year's semiconductor supply will also face a similar dilemma as last year due to insufficient foundry capacity.
Chip foundry East Hi-Tech (DB HiTek) announced that it will close the order channel in the second quarter. It is expected that the foundry capacity in the third and fourth quarters will be sold out as soon as pre-orders begin. In addition, Key Foundry said that this year's capacity has also been booked.
According to the latest data from market research firm Trendforce, 8-inch wafer production capacity has been in severe short supply since the second half of 2019. In order to solve the problem of competition for 8-inch production capacity, it is still necessary to wait for a large number of mainstream products to be transferred to 12-inch factories, which is estimated to be from the second half of 2023 to 2024.
It is worth mentioning that, according to industry insiders, due to the tight production capacity of 8 inches, International IDM is planning to migrate automotive MOSFET and IGBT power modules from 8 inches to 12 inches.