SAPEON's artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor, developed for the first time in South Korea, was installed in advanced broadcasting equipment in the United States. With this supply, SAPEON plans to actively target the U.S. digital broadcasting market.
SAPEON announced on the 28th that it applied their AI semiconductor 'X220' to Cast.Era's ATSC 3.0 digital TV broadcasting equipment. Cast.Era was established in January 2020 as a joint venture between SK Telecom and Sinclair, the largest broadcaster in the United States.
Cast.Era applied AI upscaling technology to broadcasting equipment with SAPEON X220. AI upscaling is a technology that converts low-resolution content to high-resolution. It processes large-scale data generated by the ATSC 3.0 equipment, the next-generation digital TV broadcasting standard, in real-time with AI computation. With this, it is possible to immediately upgrade from Full HD to Ultra High Definition (UHD).
SAPEON used deep artificial neural network (deep learning)-based AI technology to convert high-resolution images. This enables high-performance large-scale processing operations in low-power environment. During the video conversion process, SAPEON demonstrated 3.5 times better power efficiency compared to a graphic processing unit (GPU) of the same-class.
The X220, commercialized by SAPEON for the first time in South Korea at the end of 2020, is designed to be used for simultaneous data processing. The deep learning operation speed is 1.5 times faster than that of existing GPUs. When applied to data centers, the data processing capacity is expected to increase by 1.5 times.
SAPEON is about to commercialize next-generation AI semiconductor chips, such as the X330 and X350. It plans to provide comprehensive AI services including software such as AI algorithms and application programming interfaces (APIs). SAPEON's AI semiconductors are used in various industries such as portals, media, security, and smart factories as well as SK group companies' internal services.
Sujeong Ryu, CEO of SAPEON, said, “By supplying our X220 to Cast.Era's ATSC 3.0 broadcasting equipment, we have got our foot in the door to target the U.S. broadcasting equipment market in the future," adding, “We will continue to conduct research and development to supply optimal AI semiconductors in line with changes in the global broadcasting environment."
By Staff Reporter Dong-jun Kwon djkwon@etnews.com