In recent years, the signal chain industry has garnered considerable attention from manufacturers due to its widespread applications, particularly in the rapidly evolving Chinese marketThese changes are driven by the unique market conditions and robust international competition, which have led to the remarkable growth of local signal chain manufacturersAmong these, Naixun Microelectronics stands out as a key player, emerging as a resounding victor in the sector thanks to its competitive strengths.

Financial reports from the company indicate that more than half of its revenue in the first half of 2024 is derived from signal chain products, demonstrating the company’s focus and commitment to this product lineIn particular, Naixun's influence in the market for isolation products showcases its significant standing within the industryYet, rather than resting on its laurels, the company is proactively advancing with the introduction of its innovative NovoGenius series of System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions, marking a pivotal step towards its ambition of becoming a global leader in analog semiconductor technology.

"The development of Naixun Microelectronics products is driven by market demands and customer needs, and this new product line is no exception," explained Ye Jian, the director of the company’s product line, during an interview with Semiconductor Industry Observer.

When discussing what constitutes a signal chain, interpretations may vary among different audiencesFor Naixun Microelectronics, signal chain chips are integral components in the pathway of signal transmission within a system, encompassing all processes related to signal collection, amplification, transmission, and processingThis primarily involves a diverse range of products which includes linear products, isolation devices, converters, and interfacing units.

More specifically, Naixun's signal chain offerings span several sub-sectors, including signal conditioning chips, isolation components, interfaces, and amplifiers

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Notably, its strength in isolation and interface chips reflects the company's deep experience and long-term investment in these areasContinuously committed to upgrading its signal chain offerings, Naixun Microelectronics has proven itself a persistent innovator.

Throughout its developmental history, Naixun Microelectronics has systematically enhanced its signal chain product rangeAlong this journey, as Ye Jian notes, the industry has witnessed notable shifts in end-user market demands: customers are increasingly expressing a desire for domestically produced chips, requirements for a single vendor capable of providing a comprehensive array of product lines, and an inclination for integrated solutions over discrete alternatives in certain applications.

Especially concerning this latter trend, Ye Jian pointed out that the market space for traditional discrete solutions, such as operational amplifiers (op-amps), Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs), and standalone devices, is dwindling due to a compelling demand for high-integration products amongst larger applicationsOver the past two years, Naixun has observed a marked increase in requests for Application-Specific Standard Products (ASSPs) tailored to specific customer applications.

Building on these insights and aiming to support specific applications with customized solutions, Naixun launched its SoC product line—the NovoGenius series. "Specifically, these are application-specific materials we've developed for specific uses in the industrial or automotive sectors, also known as ASSP," Ye Jian elaborated.

Ye Jian believes that the acceptance of integration solutions stems from the inevitable interplay of technology, costs, and reliability in the industry.

The advantages of integrated solutions include cost reduction, as they eliminate the need for discrete chipsA customized SoC is tailored for specific applications, omitting unnecessary features, which subsequently diminishes overall costs and the Bill of Materials (BOM). Secondly, these customized solutions often optimize performance for target applications

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Additionally, the optimization of PCB surface area leads to space and cost savingsFinally, as a SoC solution, comprehensive system-level reliability testing encompasses both IC-level and application-layer assessments, hence enhancing overall dependability.

However, Ye Jian emphasizes the complexity of harmonizing analog and digital Intellectual Property (IP) into a singular productFor clients in the automotive sector, particularly Tier 1 suppliers, the initial evaluation revolves around whether the technology can be effectively implemented—the feasibility of the core IPSubsequently, they will scrutinize the company's overall quality management system, its capability to meet automotive standards, delivery assurance, and the ability to maintain sustainable supply chainsComprehensive quality management systems encompassing Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE), Manufacturing Quality Engineering (MQE), and Design Quality Engineering (DQE) capabilities are vitalAdditionally, supporting documentation and the monitoring capabilities of OSAT at packaging and testing facilities must align with quality control demands, while the IT system must also integrate seamlessly with the clients’ digital frameworks.

"Overall, this represents a battle of comprehensive management capabilities within the companyAs a pioneer in analog semiconductor technology for the automotive sector, Naixun's foundation rests on its advanced automotive management systemOur core advantages lie within our quality management system for automotive products, having established a complete automotive control system, which stands as a significant strength," Ye Jian asserted.

Subsequently, with early investments in automotive electronics dating back to 2021 and 2022, which paved the way for substantial research and development, Naixun has introduced its inaugural SoC from the NovoGenius series.

Ye Jian disclosed that Naixun's first defined SoC is an electronic actuator designed for automotive applications—the NSUC1610.

This product is targeted at applications involving electronic valves, such as electronic water valves and electronic expansion valves

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As a product developed for Naixun's foray into the thermal management market, the NSUC1610 is predominately analog, aligning with Naixun's core technical strengthsNotably, while there are several mainstream international products targeting thermal management, Naixun is among the earliest domestic players to venture into this space.

Ye Jian revealed that the product's inception was somewhat serendipitous, stemming from client collaboration.

He emphasized that Naixun has a rich array of products in thermal management applications, including driver chips, interfaces, high-voltage LDOs, and Flyback converters—collectively covering 80% to 90% of the thermal management chip requirementsHowever, during the provision of angle sensors to automotive clients, Naixun identified that a corresponding electronic actuator was required for each sensorPreviously, this component was primarily monopolized by overseas manufacturers such as Mileisyn, and shortages in supply caused significant disruptions for clients.

“After researching the specifications and demands for this chip, we concluded that we had the capability to undertake the development of a highly integrated SoCLeveraging Naixun's extensive IP portfolio, the NSUC1610 integrates these relevant IP components to provide customers with a comprehensive solution,” Ye Jian conveyed.

From a technical perspective, the NSUC1610 not only incorporates the Arm Cortex-M3 core but also integrates a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC), a LIN bus interface, and four half-bridges for motor driving, alongside a processorIts primary application scenarios include localized control of integrated drive systems (like electronic water valves and electronic expansion valves). For instance, it can be integrated with Active Grille Shutter (AGS) in active air intake systems, or integrated with an air door motor in HVAC controlsUnlike traditional actuators, which require additional components such as eight MOSFETs, MOSFET drivers, LIN bus interfaces, and power chips, Naixun’s tailored NSUC1610 offers a fully integrated SoC solution.

Functioning as a single-chip actuator drive SoC, the NSUC1610 can be powered directly by a 12V automotive battery, complying with AEC-Q100 standards, and has a wide array of applications within the automotive sector, suitable for controlling low-power motors and driving BDC, BLDC, and stepper motors

This functionality aids clients in reducing PCB sizes, simplifying production designs, and facilitating more efficient, compact, and cost-effective motor control designs.

Leveraging the NSUC1610, Naixun has also introduced a seat ventilation solutionThis solution employs single-resistor current sampling (<25mR) for current reconstruction and integrates a Programmable Gain Amplifier (PGA) internallyThe BLDC controller utilizes a back electromotive force (BEMF) observer that remains insensitive to variations in motor resistance and inductance, allowing for improved observation through reliable angle monitoringWith DC bus voltage compensation, the solution achieves stable control over a wide voltage range; the optimized fixed-point control algorithm ensures efficient operation on a 32MHz Cortex-M3. Furthermore, the internally integrated power transistors necessitate only a limited number of passive components for developing a sub-20W motor control system; regarding the numerous controllers within the Field-Oriented Control (FOC) design, Naixun provides parameter calculators that swiftly determine control parameters, significantly reducing user debugging time.

In addition to the NSUC1610, Naixun has also launched the NSUC1602 and NSUC1500 to cater to varying demandsFor example, while the NSUC1610 supports a peak current of 1A, those requiring higher driving currents can opt for the recently released NSUC1602, which is designed to handle high current demands via an integrated SoC and separate MOSFET power devices.

As for the NSUC1500-Q1, this is a highly integrated SoC product aimed at ambiance lighting applications.

With the unveiling of these SoC chips, a new chapter has begun for Naixun Microelectronics.

When asked about future plans for signal chain SoCs, Ye Jian responded, “Firstly, we will define products based on the degree of IP reuse, continuing to focus on actuators and motor products

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