everything PE recently interviewed Tomoharu Yamamoto, Director, Corporate Officer, GM Sales and Marketing HQs at Torex Semiconductor. Torex Semiconductor specializes in designing and manufacturing analog and mixed-signal semiconductor products
Q. Can you provide some information about Torex Semiconductors? When was the company founded and how has it developed over time?
Tomoharu Yamamoto: TOREX is an analog CMOS professional group that specializes in power ICs. Taking advantage of the specialized knowledge and flexibility we have as a dedicated manufacturer, we respond quickly to the development needs of electronic devices, which never cease to become smaller and lighter. Our pride is in each product that is so small it is almost invisible, realized using our unique ultra-small package technology.
The size may be ultra-small, but the impact is unlimited. From familiar mobile devices such as smartphones, digital cameras, and computers, to in-vehicle systems such as car navigation, ETC in-vehicle devices and power windows, and even industrial equipment such as robots, the performance of our products has a reputation for excellence in every field.
With sophisticated technology, strong marketing, and a forward-looking response to environmental concerns, TOREX will continue to pioneer new paths in power ICs.
Torex Semiconductors was founded on March 31st, 1995. Since its establishment, the company has been renowned for its expertise in CMOS processes, driven by engineers who possess outstanding and innovative technical capabilities. By focusing intensely on a specific field, Torex has accumulated a high level of specialization that sets it apart from competitors.
One of Torex's significant achievements is the development of the Ultra Small Package (USP), which effectively balances two opposing demands: ultra-small size and high heat dissipation. The company has established a dedicated production facility in Vietnam to focus specifically on this USP technology.
Today, Torex Semiconductors operates 11 sales offices worldwide (4 in Japan and 7 overseas), 4 production facilities (3 in Japan and 1 abroad), and 3 technology development centers (2 in Japan and 1 overseas).
Q. Can you tell us more about your product portfolio?
Tomoharu Yamamoto: Torex semiconductor is specialized in Analog Power management ICs. Our portfolio is DC-DC converters, Linear regulators, Voltage supervisors, Load switches, Linear charger ICs, etc.
In addition, we are working to add power semiconductors including compound semiconductors like SiC to our product portfolio.
Q. Which market segments do you cater to? Which segment is the largest for you?
Tomoharu Yamamoto: Our largest market segment to which we are supplying our products is Industrial applications.
Q. What are the latest advancements in Power MOSFET technology from Torex Semiconductor?
Tomoharu Yamamoto: The advancement is lower On Resistance and a smaller surface mount package portfolio.
Torex Power MOSFETs
Q. What are the unique features of Torex Semiconductor's DC-DC converters? How are they different from other DC-DC converters?
Tomoharu Yamamoto: Torex Semiconductor has DC-DC converters called µDC-DC converters and embedding inductors together. The µDC-DC converters have advancements in Noise performance and smaller package sizes even including the inductor size.
Torex µDC-DC converters
Q. What are the key innovations in Torex Semiconductor's latest power management solutions?
Tomoharu Yamamoto: The key innovations are the module packaging technologies in which the inductor is embedded with a conventional DC-DC converter to reduce the mounting area size even including the inductor size. The unique COT (Constant on time) control method is another key innovation. This makes stable load regulation and faster transient response compared with other conventional DC-DC converters using the general COT control method.
Q. Can you tell us about the load switch ICs of Torex Semiconductor? What specific features of your load switch IC contribute to energy conservation?
Tomoharu Yamamoto: Conventional diodes that allow current to flow in one direction have problems such as large loss of forward voltage (VF), heat generation, and battery life. Torex load switches that have ideal diode characteristics with adding current limit, overheat protection, and ON/Off function resolve these problems.
Torex Load Switch ICs
Q. What makes Torex Semiconductor's LDO regulator unique compared to other LDO regulators?
Tomoharu Yamamoto: Some Torex LDO regulators have a function called Green Operation which switches automatically between High-speed mode and Power saves mode according to the output current. This function enables us to achieve both high-speed operation and low supply current.
Q. Torex Semiconductor is committed to R&D and has established several R&D and technology centers around the world. Can you tell us more about these facilities and how they drive innovation and support product development?
Tomoharu Yamamoto: Technological globalization is important to enhance product competitiveness in the market. However the technical needs are different by geographical area, We established several R&D technology sites in the world to establish networking to gather the technical needs per each region and extend the needs to our product developments to fit into the area needs.
Q. Can you tell us about the key technologies and capabilities that Torex Semiconductor offers for the electric vehicle market?
Tomoharu Yamamoto: Torex is driving the development of SiC products which are suitable especially for fast charging at both on-vehicle charging and charger stations.
Q. Over the years, Torex Semiconductor has significantly expanded its product portfolio. What’s next on the horizon for the company? Are there any new products currently in development?
Tomoharu Yamamoto: Torex Semiconductor is adding Power semiconductors such as SiC and IGBT to the product portfolio.
About Tomoharu Yamamoto
Tomoharu Yamamoto is the Director, Corporate Officer, who is directly in charge of GM Sales and Marketing HQs at Torex Semiconductor.
