LG Innotek World’s first 5G Communication module for Automotive runs on Qualcomm chip

LG Innotek today announced it has developed a communication module for automotive based on 5G (5th Generation) Qualcomm chip. The company is the first company to develop a 5G communication module for automotive using Qualcomm chips that can be applied to vehicles.

5G communication module for automotive is a component that uses the 5G mobile telecommunication technology to enable transmission of data between a vehicle and a cellular base station and wireless network connection. This module combines a communication chip, memory, and RF (radio frequency) circuit and is generally mounted on the inside a vehicle or in a vehicle communication device on the roof.

This module makes possible sharing of real-time traffic information, precise location measurement, V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything: communication between a vehicle and objects), and transmission of larger amounts of data. In other words, this module secures the key functions that are needed for entirely autonomous driving that requires no involvement of the driver.

Recently, other companies also have focused on development of 5G communication module, which is a key component of an autonomous vehicle. In particular, companies have been in a fierce competition to successfully develop a module that runs on the Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM Automotive 5G Platform.

However, using the 5G technology for communication modules for automotive was not easy because it uses high frequency bands, causing higher loss of signals than LTE (Long Term Evolution, 4G mobile telecommunication technology) as well as high heat generation due to transmission of larger amounts of data.

To solve this problem, LG Innotek used its proprietary RF circuit design technology, high precision and density modularized technology as well as heat resistant new materials.

The company’s 5G communication module has a low latency (1ms or less), which is one-tenth of that of an LTE module. This is why 5G technologies come into the spotlight in autonomous vehicle areas. Because it requires more immediate response to the changes in real-time situations.

For example, if an autonomous vehicle driving at 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour detects an obstacle and activates the urgent braking function, braking starts after the vehicle moves 1.4m (4.5ft) with an LTE module, but with a 5G module, braking starts after the vehicle moves 2.8cm (0.09ft) because the latency is lower.

Also, this module has higher heat-resistance. It can withstand and is not easily deformed by the high heat generated by 5G network as well as direct sunlight on the vehicle roof. The module uses new plastic materials that are less sensitive to temperature change and is manufactured by applying new engineering methods in the processes of hardening and coating.

LG Innotek’s 5G communication module for vehicles is small and slim, having an overall size of half a credit card. Its 40mm (width) X 50mm (length) X 3.5mm (thickness) size makes it easy to be installed anywhere on the inside or outside of a vehicle. It packs about 480 components including communication chip, memory, RF circuit, and C(Cellular)-V2X into the module.

Also, installing the module is highly convenient. Because it is compatible with LTE modules, the user only has to replace the LTE module with the 5G module in the same spot without changing the system design.

The 5G module also comes with software optimized for the module. Another advantage of the product is that it can be used regardless of the region or vehicle type because it follows the 3GPP Release 15, the newest 5G standard, of 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

LG Innotek official said, ”The successful development of 5G communication module for vehicles will speed up the commercialization of entirely autonomous vehicles and connected cars by manufacturers. Our company will continue to introduce innovative products that can provide drivers with a safe, convenient, and enjoyable driving experience.”

LG Innotek’s 5G Communication Module for Automotive

LG Innotek’s 5G Communication Module for Automotive

LG Innotek mass producing the world`s first 15 watt wireless smartphone charging pad. PR.

LG Innotek said Wednesday that it has succeeded in mass-producing the world's first 15-watt wireless smartphone charging pads, which charges handsets from zero to 50 percent in 30 minutes. 

The top-tier camera module manufacturer said the new charging pad will particularly help the company diversify its revenue streams in the North American and European markets where demand for wireless chargers run higher than that of Korea.

"This proves that LG Innotek has the world's best wireless charging technology," Huh Sung, vice president of the firm's electronic components division, said in a statement. "As a wireless charging module is directly related with conveniences and safety of handset users, we will meet customer expectations with advanced performance and perfect product quality."

The company said the quick wireless charging pad will be available for customers in North America, Europe and Australia in mid-October.

LG Innotek stressed that the latest achievement is meaningful, as the 15-watt charging pad is three times faster in speed than existing 5-watt charging modules.

The new pad also guarantees safety for its customers, as the pad is equipped with a special sensor used to measure the temperature of the smartphone, the company said. This will help reduce the risk of possible battery explosions, as the sensor suspends electric power supplies to batteries when the temperature reaches a certain level, LG Innotek added.

According to market research firm TSR, global sales of the wireless charging transmitter-receiver module was some $553 million (627.8 billion won) in 2015 and will surge to 2.2 billion in 2019.

Press Release:

LG Innotek Introduces the Quick Wireless Charging Pad

2016-10-12

LG Innotek announced the commercialization of a 15 W (Watt) wireless charging pad for the first time in the world. This product allows you to charge your smartphone as fast as when using a wired charging module.

The wireless charging pad is device supplies electric power to smartphone in a slim pad form. If you put the smartphone on the pad, make sure that your phone supports wireless charging; the pad starts to charge battery.

The product will be sold in North America, Europe, and Australia in the middle of this month by the global smartphone accessory manufacturer.

The 15 W wireless charging pad’s charging speed is three times faster than an existing 5 W wireless charging module. It can charge a completely depleted battery to the level of 50% within 30 minutes because it supplies 15W power to smartphone battery equal to wired quick charger.

Also, this product boasts high compatibility and can be used with most of the wireless charg-ing smartphones currently available in the market. It meets the standards of Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), an international standardization organization for wireless charging.

LG Innotek applied the technology to prevent the pad from overheating during charging. So it can even reduce the risk of the explosion of the battery and performance degradation of the smartphone.

The embedded sensor measures the temperature the point where touch the smartphone and suspends the supplement of the electric power when it reaches a certain level.

LG Innotek expects the demand for function of wireless charging due to the mass-producing 15W wireless charge pad. If the company optimize design of the module for application, for example, automobiles and furniture, it can be used by the embedded type.

Marketing research firm, TSR (Techno Systems Research), reports the sales of the wireless charging transmitter-receiver module was 553 million dollar in 2015 and will increase to 2.2 billion in 2019.

Sung Huh, a head of electronic components business division, said, “We proved that we had the world best wireless charging technology”. He also said, “As a wireless charging module is directly related to the convenience and safety of the users, we will meet the expectations of our customers with advanced performance and perfect product quality.” 

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iPhone 7 Plus dual camera module supplier LG Innotek profitability to drive up.

According to the Korea Times, the lukewarm response to the new iPhone series will not aggravate LG Innotek's profitability in the second half, as the firm is expected to have higher margins backed by its dual-camera modules supplied to iPhone 7 Plus, analysts said Friday.

This comes as the company needs to turn around the underperformance in the first half of the year. The camera module manufacturer posted a whopping operating loss of some 34 billion won ($30.98 million) in the second quarter, turning to deficit from a year ago, hit hard by weak demand for components due to the global smartphone market slowdown.

But experts said the company may be able to offset this later this year, as the firm is the exclusive module supplier for the dual camera, which Apple CEO Tim Cook called the major draw for the new Apple smartphone. Dual-camera modules are known to generate more than one and a half the profit margins compared with a normal camera module.

"LG Innotek will stand to benefit from the new iPhone introduction, as the firm is the only vendor for the highly profitable dual-camera modules," Kevin Lee, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities, said.

"Global sales for the new iPhone series is estimated to reach some 62 million this year, up 21 percent from its predecessors ― iPhone 6S and 6S Plus," he said, forecasting that customers disappointed with the previous models are likely to change their handsets this year. Chinese mobile carriers' aggressive subsidy expansion drive will also help drive up sales for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, according to the analyst.

Despite the bright market prediction, shares of LG Innotek continued to fall after Apple unveiled the new iPhone series and the Apple Watch 2 on Thursday. LG Innotek closed at 79,300 won, down 2.46 percent from a day ago.

But Kim Ji-san, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities, also maintained the rosy outlook for Innotek's potential rebound in the second half, hinting that the falling stock value would be temporary due to the unsurprising features of the iPhone 7.

"Chances are low for the success of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, as they come with no innovative change," he said. But the new handsets will help Apple lift its earnings in the second half, compared with the first half, as the company suffered from weak handset sales in the period, he said. In April, Apple said it sold some 51.2 million iPhones in the first quarter, down 16 percent from a year ago. Kim said Innotek will enjoy outstanding profit growth in the fourth quarter of the year.

Ian Fogg of IHS Technology said: "We expect the new iPhone 7 camera design will successfully convince consumers to upgrade their older iPhones, despite the lack of headphone sockets."

World’s Best Super-slim Heartbeat Sensor Module is developed by LG Innotek. Press Release.

LG Innotek's super-slim heartbeat sensor modules are much smaller and thinner than a 10 won coin. -

LG Innotek, a mobile device component affiliate of LG Group, said on Feb. 16 that it has successfully developed the world’s best super-slim heartbeat sensor module. Heartbeat sensors in wearable devices and smartphones are widely used to measure body status information such as heart rate, stress index and oxygen saturation rate.

The company said the new heartbeat sensor module is thinner, consumes less energy and has improved accuracy. Accordingly, users can be now provided more accurate body information.

The key in wearable device technologies is to downsize devices while minimizing electricity consumption. Because users should wear the devices to use them, wearable devices cannot be popular no matter how excellent they are functionally if they are cumbersome and consume too much energy.

LG Innotek said its heartbeat sensor combines a photo diode (PD), light-emitting diodes (LED) and a semiconductor chip in a single module only 1 millimeter thick. When applied to wearable devices and smartphones, this module will allow for slimmer and freer designs.

The company said it has used printed circuit board (PCB) embedded technology to reduce the thickness. It is the technology that embeds a semiconductor chip in PCB. Previously, there was a limit to reduce the thickness of module since a semiconductor chip, which processes living body signals, should be mounted on PCB and other components, including PD, afterward.

The new heartbeat sensor module is much thinner but consumes less energy compared to existing modules. It measures the blood flow rate with LED lights and minimizes light loss inside. As the efficiency for light utilization increases, the living body signal reception capability has been improved by 30 percent compared to existing modules, and thus can detect accurate bio-signals with less energy. When using this module, it can operate with about 20 percent less energy consumption.

The company also said the module has higher measurement accuracy. It said the module can measure pulse within an error range of 5 beats per minute (bpm) during exercise and within an error range of 2 bpm at a steady state, which is comparable to that of medical devices. 

When a user measures the heart rate with wearable devices during exercise, existing modules have an error range of 8 bpm. If the actual heart rate of the user is 120 bpm, existing modules of wearable devices will show the figure from 112 to 128 bpm. LG Innotek’s heartbeat sensor module improves the figure from 115 to 125 bpm.

Press Release:

LG Innotek Develops Ultra Slim Optical Bio Sensor Module.

2016-02-18

Seoul, Korea, Feb 16th, 2016 – LG Innotek, a leading global components and materials manufacturer, announced the development of an ultra slim optical bio sensor module with the world class level of performance.

The optical bio sensor module is mainly adopted wearable devices and smartphones to measure heart rates, stress indices, and oxygen saturation levels.

This newly developed module has lower power consumption and measures data with higher accuracy than the existing products. Users can receive more accurate biometric information with smaller devices.

The key to wearable technology is reducing the size of the device and minimizing power consumption. No matter how excellent device’s feature is, if a wearable device is bulky and the battery wears out rapidly, it is difficult to popularize.

With a thickness of just 1 mm(0.04inches), this module includes a Photo Diode(PD), 5 LEDs, and Integrated Circuit(IC). Thinner sensors allow wearable devices and smartphones to be-come thinner, and a more free design is implemented. 

To minimize the thickness of the module, LG Innotek utilized their advanced embedded PCB technology. The technology embeds integrated circuits into the PCBs. The Former modules were manufactured by mounting the IC on the PCB and then seating the photo diode on top of it. This approach has its limits when it comes to reducing the thickness.

The module consumes less power with ultra-slim thickness. The inside is gold-plated to max-imize luminance efficiency by minimizing the amount of LED light that is absorbed. With this module, the strength of the biometric signals increases by about 30%, so you can use low power to accurately detect biometric signals. Battery consumption has been reduced by 20% compared to the existing module.

The accuracy of the measured information has also been improved. This new sensor mod-ule's range of error for measured data is ±5 bpm during exercise and even in stable condition, it can measure data within an error range of ±2 bpm which is comparable to that of medical devices.

When the user measures their heart rates using a wearable device, the existing module’s range of error while exercising is ±8 bpm (beats per minute). If the user's heart rate is actually 120 bpm, the heart rate readings measured by the wearable device will be between 112 and 128 bpm. This module increased its accuracy up to 115~125 bpm.

The LG Innotek sensor module was developed by converging differentiated technologies such embedded PCBs and LEDs.

The company combined its technologies, expanded business areas, and strengthened its portfolio by discovering new growth engines.  

"The core part of IoT (Internet of Things) is the sensor that enables information sharing. We will develop high-tech sensors and use them in automobiles, consumer electronics, wearable devices, and other things to lead the IoT industry," said Changhwan Kim, Executive Director of the Components and Materials R&D Center.

LGInnotek