News Article
Seoul Viosys eyes the AI data centre market
Company is expanding partnerships to provide a total transceiver solution
As AI drives the shift in data centres from copper-based to optical-based architectures, opto-semiconductor specialist Seoul Viosys has announced that it is accelerating its entry into the next-generation photonics market supported by its 'No-wire' and 'No-package' patents and its competitiveness in VCSEL technology. The company is also expanding its business model beyond component supply into a total transceiver solution provider for data interconnects.
Seoul Viosys is currently in discussions with two global leaders in data interconnects on joint technology development, as well as potential joint ventures or OEM manufacturing. The company is also exploring expanded collaboration with additional partners in the US and Japan. Rather than simply supplying individual components, Seoul Viosys says it is securing a network of strategic partners to establish its position as a total-solution provider in the data interconnect transceiver market, spanning design, devices, drivers, and modules.
Seoul Viosys believes it's in a strong position underpinned by its patented opto-semiconductor device technologies. In particular microLED–based photonic technology enable efficient, high-speed transmission of large volumes of data, making it well-suited for high-density infrastructure such as AI data centres. This low-power, ultra-high-speed communication technology is expected to become essential across future applications, including autonomous vehicle communications and physical AI robotics.
Second, the company has WICOP, a proprietary technology that eliminates the need for both wires and packaging. This robust structure maximises light extraction efficiency while enhancing thermal management, enabling high efficiency even at ultra-small scales down to the 1 µm level.
Third, the company says its strong patent barrier is a key competitive advantage. Seoul Viosys, including its subsidiaries, holds approximately 1,800 micro opto-semiconductor patents related to optical communications.
Built around these core patents, the company has established a broad and defensible scope of rights, making it extremely difficult for competitors to develop products without infringement. For example, in February, its US subsidiary SETi secured a permanent injunction from a US court against a photonics company with a 40-year history in optoelectronics. Beyond sheer patent volume, the portfolio comprehensively covers core processes, structures, and implementation methods, providing a solid foundation for technological leadership.
The parent company, Seoul Semiconductor, also holds a portfolio of approximately 15,000 patents in opto-semiconductor packaging and solutions.
Despite years of operating losses, Seoul Viosys has invested tens of millions of dollars annually in microLED under its vision of 'writing a new history of light' steadily strengthening its technological competitiveness. The company has also collaborated for more than 20 years with a research team at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), led by Nobel Prize in Physics laureate Shuji Nakamura and Steven DenBaars, and completed development of an ultra-small 1-micrometer (μm)-class device in 2021.
Dae-Woong Suh, president and head of R&D at Seoul Viosys, said, “We have built production infrastructure in the United States, Vietnam, and Korea, and are also seeking new partners in India, while strengthening our capabilities in technology collaboration and supply chain response. We are open to working with companies that need our technology, and under strict confidentiality, we will introduce breakthrough products together with our partners.”
