Global Technology Begins Developing UV-Curing Light Source for CPO Optical Alignment Equipment with ADST

Global Technology is joining forces with ADST, a subsidiary of Seongho Electronics, to develop a UV-curable LED driver IC for active alignment equipment used in ADST’s CPO (Co-Packaged Optics) and high-speed optical transceivers.

GT CEO Kim Minseon and ADST Vice Chairman Song Gwangyeol pose for a commemorative photo. Global Technology.

According to Global Technology on October 12, CPO is a technology that packages the optical engine, which converts electrical signals into light in an optical transceiver, alongside a GPU or switch chip. It is considered a next-generation interconnect method that reduces power consumption and signal loss in AI data centers. At a transmission rate of 1.6 Tbps, it can reduce power consumption to about one-third of that of conventional pluggable systems, prompting global technology giants to successively unveil related switch platforms.

The development will draw directly on GT’s expertise accumulated in its core business of LED driver ICs (LDIs). GT has built up capabilities in high-precision constant-current control, time-division driving and real-time temperature compensation while mass-producing and supplying Mini/RGB LED backlights for TVs and monitors, as well as Micro LED driver ICs, to global customers. Since the output of high-power UV LEDs can fluctuate with heat, the goal is to reduce variations in curing quality using these driving and compensation technologies.

GT is expanding its product portfolio beyond standalone ICs to modules and solutions, including LED driver ICs, transparent LED display modules, in-vehicle interior lighting (SAL) solutions and RGB BAR backlight units. The two companies are pursuing this development as part of their efforts to build a Micro LED mass-production ecosystem and localize key equipment components. Once development is complete, they plan to consider applying the technology to ADST equipment in stages.

“As we move toward the CPO generation, the number of alignment points increases, making the precision of the curing process a decisive factor in equipment competitiveness,” said Song Gwangyeol, vice chairman of ADST. “Developing a key light source with a domestic partner that has expertise in both LED driving and optical design will allow us to improve supply stability and cost competitiveness at the same time.”

“Driving LEDs with the highest precision is what GT has done for 13 years, and our competitiveness lies in turning that expertise into complete solutions, from ICs to light-source modules,” said Kim Minseon, CEO of GT. “UV-curing light sources are the first example of extending this expertise beyond displays into optical communications processes for AI data centers. Together with ADST, we will localize the technology and play a meaningful role in the CPO supply chain.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.