Silicon Works has supplied its chips to German car giant Daimler, the company said on Tuesday.
The application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) combines a video processor for displays and timing controller (T-Con) into one. It is aimed at dashboards and center information displays (CID).
The chip was made from the request of LG Electronics’ vehicle solution business. Development took around three years and production began last year. LG Electronics is a tier-1 supplier to automobile companies.
It is unknown which car model made by Daimler will use the chip.
Silicon Works’ chip has its own algorithm applied to increase visibility of the displays. It supports for expressive blacks, local dimming and high luminance.
It also has another algorithm that eliminates crosstalk for 3D videos, the company said. The chip is ISO26262 FSM certified.
Previously, Silicon Works has supplied driver IC for LED rear combination lamps to Hyundai and Kia for car models such as Veloster, K9 and K7.
Besides chips for cars, the company is also pushing silicon carbide chips and microcontroller units for home appliances. LG Electronics is using some of the MCU for its appliances.
These pushes are done to reduce its reliance on LG Display. However, sales from chip supply related to display is also expected to expand for Silicon Works. LG Display is expanding OLED panel supply to Apple. Silicon Works provides the chips used in the panels.
Last year, the company recorded 1.16 trillion won in sales and 94.2 billion won in operating income, a rise of 34% and 99.6% from the year prior. The increase was credited to its chip supply to LG Display.
Silicon Works, along with LG International, LG Hausys and LG MMA, are expected to split from LG Group on May 1 and come under LX Holdings.
