Seongho Electronics' ADST expands CPO alignment and inspection business

NBNTV = Reporter Joo Hyun-woong | As Co-Packaged Optics (CPO), a next-generation optical communication technology for AI data centers, moves into the mass production stage, inspection and alignment processes to secure yield are emerging as critical challenges for the equipment industry.

CPO is a technology that combines the switch ASIC responsible for data processing and the optical engine into a single package. Because the structure involves precisely assembling multiple components, any defects identified after final assembly can result in much larger losses compared to existing pluggable optical modules. Consequently, inspection processes to verify the optical engine's integrity are utilized during the production stage.

DIGITIMES predicted that CPO has entered the mass production deployment stage, and as the difficulty of production inspection increases, the movement to expand testing to 100% is expected to accelerate by 2027.

The 2D Fiber Array, which arranges optical fibers at high density, also requires precise alignment during production. As transmission speeds increase from 800G to 1.6T, minute alignment errors can impact optical loss and yield, necessitating sub-micron level precision machining and automation technology.

One of the technologies applied in this process is Active Alignment. This method identifies the optical coupling point by adjusting component positions using a multi-axis motion system while measuring actual optical output. Production equipment must address not only alignment accuracy but also Units Per Hour (UPH), automation algorithms, and the integration of inspection and assembly processes.

ADST, a subsidiary of Seongho Electronics, is developing automated equipment for multi-axis Active Alignment-based optical module and CPO alignment, assembly, and inspection.

According to the company, CPO-related orders account for approximately 29.9 billion won, or 37%, of ADST's total orders of about 80.7 billion won this year. The company also reportedly recently secured a purchase order for CPO production equipment worth approximately 23.5 billion won from a listed technology company in the United States.

In addition to CPO, ADST is developing automated alignment, assembly, and inspection equipment used in 800G and 1.6T pluggable optical communication products.