A Study of the CMOS Image Sensor Semiconductor Business: Factors Maintaining the Long- Term Manufacturing Technology Superiority of IDM Companies

Abstract

In recent years, semiconductor products have become increasingly important as essential parts of numerous technological devices. In addition, competition is becoming increasingly fierce. Currently, many semiconductor businesses have a horizontal specialization business structure. However, in the CMOS image sensor (CIS) business, vertically Integrated Device Manufacturer (IDM) companies are leading businesses possessing significant technological advantages. This study applies Baldwin's (2004) functional module analysis method to clarify how IDM companies maintain their superiority in CIS, and examines in particular their knowledge acquisition method for improving the main characteristics of CIS. The basic questions this study addresses are why the CIS business has been able to promote the business of IDM companies, and why has it maintained its advantage over the last 10 years. This study seeks to examine this question and present the mechanism behind its superiority. First, the modules of CIS products and development task flow are separated into modules by function and analyzed. The sensor core and system core require different design capabilities. The photodiode of the sensor core is designed through a combination and application of semiconductor physics and optical knowledge by highly expert design, device physics, and process engineers. In IDM companies, development is accomplished in a complementary manner with mutually integrated technologies. We note particularly that the boundary between companies in the horizontal specialization business in the sensor core design affects technological improvement and the speed of growth. During the heyday of SoC in 1990, technology was transferred and production outsourced from the world's top-class IDM to foundries. Based on the current situation two decades later, we analyzed the behavior at that time by back-casting and extracted five growth factors. Five growth opportunities for latecomers to the high-tech manufacturing industry were factors in the current implementation status and effects of the CIS business.