South Korean Government is planning to introduce billions of dollars of budget into R&D for next-generation semiconductors that target AI (Artificial Intelligence) generation and it is going to focus on development of technologies involving design of super-low-power semiconductors that imitate human brain. Its strategy is to grab upper hands of AI hardware as well as AI software during AI generation.
According to South Korean Government and industries on the 18th, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) recently held a ‘briefing session on strategies for development of semiconductor industries’ for representatives from industries, universities, and research institutes that are relevant to a field of semiconductors and announced direction of its strategy. National R&D project for intelligent semiconductors has been planned out since last year through MOTIE and Ministry of Science and ICT. (Reference: 1st page of The Electronic Times issued on 8/22/17)
MOTIE is going to carry out final investigations on technical demands until the middle of March and it is planning to apply for preliminary feasibility study during the first half of this year after discussing with Ministry of Science and ICT. Preliminary feasibility study is a system that evaluates feasibility and possibility in advance before carrying out national R&D project that is expected to require more than $28.1 million (30 billion KRW) of budget. MOTIE’s goal is to start R&D project after passing preliminary feasibility study by end of this year.
MOTIE and Ministry of Science and ICT are estimating that total amount of R&D projects from both departments will easily surpass $937 million (1 trillion KRW).
MOTIE introduced 15 basic technologies and 32 detailed technologies from fields of semiconductor design, device, and production that have been drawn at the briefing session. Basic technologies for semiconductor design include AI processor, super-low-power edge computing, and intelligent software (SW). Basic technologies for semiconductor device include logic memory hybrid technology and new device-based AI processor while basic technologies for semiconductor production include multi-dimensional direct processing technology, packaging technology, super-fine 3D semiconductor processing equipment.
This project has come out after 50 PhDs from ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute), KIST (Korea Institute of Science and Technology), KETI (Korea Electronics Technology Institute), and KRISS (Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science) and professors from South Korean universities had carried out many meetings since last year.
“In order to implement intelligent or AI semiconductors, one needs to enhance them while also making them lighter and low-powered.” said PD Son Kwang-joon of Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology. “Basic technologies and detailed technologies are designed so that they can satisfy such requirements.”
“We need to continue to improve and enhance technologies related to semiconductor field according to changes in industries.” said Section Chief Park Young-sam of MOTIE’s Electronic Parts Section. “We are going to focus our capabilities into creating innovative engines to semiconductor field by working with Ministry of Science and ICT.”
“We welcome such plan after South Korean Government had made budget for new R&D on semiconductor field almost nonexistent.” said a representative for a semiconductor business that participated in this briefing session. “We hope that this plan will create stepping stones so that South Korea can maintain its superiority in design and production of semiconductors over rival nations.”
Staff Reporter Han, Juyeop | powerusr@etnews.com