News: Optoelectronics
28 April 2026
Seoul Viosys expanding business beyond components to data-interconnect transceivers
Opto-semiconductor device maker Seoul Viosys Co Ltd (SVC, a subsidiary of South Korean LED maker Seoul Semiconductor Co Ltd) is accelerating its entry into the next-generation photonics market supported by its proprietary ‘No-wire’ and ‘No-package’ fundamental patents — essential technologies for micron (μm)-scale miniaturization of opto-semiconductors — as well as its vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) technology.
As the rapid expansion of AI drives a paradigm shift in data centers from copper-based to optical-based architectures, the firm is strengthening its position through the acquisition of a VCSEL company for short-range communications five years ago and the completion of 100G (25Gx4)-class technology. Furthermore, Seoul Viosys is expanding its business model beyond component supply into a total transceiver solution provider for data interconnects.
Seoul Viosys is currently in discussions with two global leaders in data interconnects (optical communications) on joint technology development, as well as potential joint ventures or OEM manufacturing. It is also exploring expanded collaboration with additional partners in the USA and Japan.
Rather than simply supplying individual components, Seoul Viosys is securing a network of strategic partners to establish itself as a total-solution provider in the data interconnect transceiver market, spanning design, devices, drivers and modules.
Industry observers note that, as the optical communications market shifts toward high-speed, low-power and highly integrated architectures, building a partner ecosystem that connects technology, manufacturing and applications will be critical, as it is increasingly difficult for any single company to respond alone.
First, Seoul Viosys’ position is underpinned by its patented opto-semiconductor device technologies. Conventional copper interconnects are approaching their physical limits in supporting the ultra-high-capacity, high-speed data transmission required by AI-driven environments, notes the firm. In contrast, micro LED–based photonic technology enables efficient, high-speed transmission of large volumes of data, making it well suited for high-density infrastructure such as AI data centers. This low-power, ultra-high-speed communication technology is expected to become essential across future applications, including autonomous vehicle communications and physical AI robotics.
Second, Seoul Viosys’ core competitiveness lies in its proprietary WICOP (Wafer Level Integrated Chip on PCB) technology, which eliminates the need for both wires and packaging. This robust structure maximizes light-extraction efficiency while enhancing thermal management, enabling high efficiency even at ultra-small scales down to the 1µm level. Backed by a portfolio of about 5000 opto-semiconductor patents, the company reckons tht it can realize next-generation photonic devices that align well with the market’s shift toward ultra-miniaturization and high integration.
Third, including its subsidiaries, Seoul Viosys holds about 1800 micro opto-semiconductor patents related to optical communications. Built around these core patents, the firm reckons that its broad scope of rights makes it difficult for competitors to develop products without infringement. For example, in February, its US subsidiary SETi secured a permanent injunction from a US court against a photonics company with a 40-year history in optoelectronics. Beyond patent volume, the portfolio covers core processes, structures and implementation methods. In addition, parent company Seoul Semiconductor has a portfolio of about 15,000 patents in opto-semiconductor packaging and solutions.
Despite years of operating losses, Seoul Viosys has invested tens of millions of dollars annually in micro-LEDs. The firm has collaborated for more than 20 years with a research team at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) led by Nobel Prize in Physics laureate Shuji Nakamura and professor Steven DenBaars, and completed development of an ultra-small 1μm-class device in 2021.
“We have built production infrastructure in the United States, Vietnam and Korea, and are also seeking new partners in India, while strengthening our capabilities in technology collaboration and supply chain response,” says Dr Dae-Woong Suh, president & head of R&D at Seoul Viosys. “We are open to working with companies that need our technology and, under strict confidentiality, we will introduce breakthrough products together with our partners.”
According to Grand View Research, the global short-reach optical interconnect market is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of about 20% through 2030, fueled by the expansion of AI infrastructure, to reach about $6bn.
