DB HiTek Qualifies 1,200 V SiC MOSFET Process on 8-Inch Wafers
The South Korean foundry aims to begin volume production in 2027 to support EV and industrial power applications.
DB HiTek has completed reliability qualification for its 1,200 V silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET process on 8-inch wafers, marking a significant step toward mass production of high-voltage power semiconductors. The South Korean foundry is now preparing for volume production in 2027, positioning itself as a key supplier for the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors.
What Happened
DB HiTek announced that it has established the world's first complete 1,200 V 8-inch SiC foundry process flow. This development provides a service platform supporting customers through design, manufacturing, electrical characterization, and reliability qualification. The second-generation process, which has finished reliability qualification, achieves a specific on-resistance of 2.5 mΩ·cm² or less and a threshold voltage of 3 V or higher at an on-state gate voltage of 18 V. Process Design Kits (PDKs) for the first- and second-generation processes are currently available, with a third-generation PDK scheduled for release in November 2026. The third-generation process is currently being qualified against a specific on-resistance of 2.3 mΩ·cm² or less and a short-circuit withstand time of at least 2.5 μs.
Why It Matters
The shift from 6-inch to 8-inch wafers is critical for improving production efficiency and cost competitiveness in the SiC market, where 6-inch wafers currently dominate. Larger wafers yield more die per process run, spreading fixed costs further and potentially lowering component prices for automakers and industrial manufacturers. DB HiTek states that its new PDKs aim to cut product development time by more than a year by reducing early-stage resource requirements and speeding up prototype fabrication. As SiC handles higher voltages and temperatures than silicon, advancements in its manufacturing directly impact the performance and affordability of EV powertrains, renewable energy systems, and industrial power equipment.
The Bottom Line
DB HiTek plans to finish process preparations and open access to longstanding foundry customers in the third quarter of 2026, with broader service availability to all customers expected in the second quarter of 2027. This timeline sets the stage for increased SiC supply capacity ahead of the anticipated volume production start in 2027.
