Discrete Semiconductor Devices - General-Purpose Devices
Aiming to secure share in the Japanese automotive market and expand into overseas markets through miniaturization and high-productivity technologies
ROHM’s general-purpose device business has continued for over 50 years since the company’s foundation, maintaining a top-level market share for many years and growing into a competitive, steady business. We believe that this has been possible because we lead the market through a comprehensive product portfolio that spans SBDs, TVSs, bipolar transistors, MOSFETs, FRDs, and RECs, miniaturization, high-productivity technologies, securement of an overwhelming share in the Japanese automotive market that demands high quality and service, and a strength in flexible production capacity increases through IDM.
In initiatives based on our Medium-Term Management Plan, we increased high-efficiency production lines and switched from old lines to secure the production capacity for achieving targets. We are also developing next-generation automated lines for mass production by utilizing technologies developed for our flexible lines. In addition, we have completed the development of manufacturing technologies that use no gold (Au) or other expensive precious metals, further strengthening our cost competitiveness.
Performance by segment
FY ending March 2024
-
■Discrete Semiconductor Devices
- 201.9billion yen
- 43.2%
- ■ICs
207.2billion yen 44.3% - ■Modules
32.9billion yen 7.0% - ■Others
25.7billion yen 5.5%
Sales
467.7billion yen
Sales by application
FY ending March 2024
-
Automotive
54.3%
-
Industrial
21.9%
-
Consumer
13.3%
-
Communication
2.4%
-
Computer&Storage
8.1%
Discrete Semiconductor Devices Net sales
201.9billion yen
ROHM’s Position (2023)
Worldwide small signal device market
- Total market
- 3,948million U.S. dollars
Small signal transistors
- Total market
- 1,673million U.S. dollars
Small signal diodes
- Total market
- 2,275million U.S. dollars
Source：Competitive Landscaping Tool CLT, Annual 2Q24
Key products
Small-signal devices
Small-signal transistors (less than 1W)
Small-signal diodes (less than 500mA)
Used universally in a variety of applications.
Light-emitting diodes (LED)
Discrete semiconductor devices which emit light when voltage is applied.Used for lighting and status indications, etc. in all kinds of electronic devices.
Laser diodes
ROHM’s laser diodes boast the industry’s leading production volume. They are used in laser printers and multifunction printers, and in recent years in laser ranging devices and as a light source for LiDAR, etc.
TOPICS｜
Toward the Realization of a Sustainable Society
Development of a 120W high-power laser diode for LiDAR
LiDAR, a technology capable of accurate distance measurement and spatial recognition, has recently been seeing increased adoption in a wide range of applications requiring the automation of operation, including AGVs, robot vacuum cleaners, and autonomous automobiles. ROHM has established proprietary patented technology that achieves narrower emission width in lasers which contributes to longer range and higher accuracy in LiDAR applications.
ROHM released a 25W laser diode in 2019 and a 75W laser diode in 2021. In response to growing market demand for even higher output, in September 2023 ROHM developed a new infrared 120W high-output laser diode, aimed at LiDAR used for distance measurement and spatial recognition in 3D ToF systems.
Utilizing proprietary device development technology, the diode reduces the temperature dependence of the laser wavelength by 66% from that of general products and contributes to narrowing the bandpass filter to extend the detection range of LiDAR. It also achieves a uniform light intensity in over 97% of its emission width to enable more precise detection, despite having the smallest width in the industry. Its high power conversion efficiency (PCE) enables high-efficiency optical output that contributes to lower power consumption in LiDAR applications.