Testing house Sigurd Microelectronics is optimistic about its business outlook for 2021, as testing demand for related chips for 5G phone, networking, automotive and AI applications will remain strong in the coming year.

The company's current testing capacity for 5G and networking chips is rather tight, as the segment is currently accounting for 15% of its total testing revenues and the ratio is likely to grow to 25% in 2021, according to company chairman Sidney Huang.

Sigurd will invest NT$900 million (US$31.54 million) in fourth-quarter 2020 for capacity ramps, catering to increasing demand from automotive and power management (PWM) IC sectors, in addition to 5G and networking chips, Huang revealed.

Total capex for 2020 will reach NT$5-6 billion.

The company is also focusing its R&D on developing 5G ATE (automated testing equipment) for 5G chips, burn-in testing solutions for automotive IC applications, and its in-house developed "test-in-tray" solutions.

It also plans to begin fulfilling testing orders supporting 5G mmWave technology, such as AiP (antenna-in-package) solutions, Huang revealed.

By DIGITIMES