OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH

OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH of Regensburg is a wholly owned subsidiary of Osram GmbH, one of the world's two leading lighting manufacturers. The company was founded in 1999 as a joint venture between Osram and Infineon Technologies.

The name OSRAM is derived from Osmium and Wolfram (German for Tungsten), as both these elements were commonly used for lighting filaments at the time the company was founded.

History

When Siemens AG spun off the semiconductor operations to form a separate legal entity, Osram GmbH had an opportunity to take over the LED division.

On January 1, 1999 the takeover was completed with a 51% majority share. The Siemens subsidiary Infineon initially retained a 49% share. In the summer of 2001, Osram GmbH acquired all Infineon shares in the sale of opto-semiconductors.

In 2003, the company opened the world's most advanced opto chip factory in Regensburg, Germany.

Profile

As the world’s second largest manufacturer of optoelectronic semiconductor for the illumination, sensing and visualization sectors, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH combines extensive know-how in semiconductors, converter materials and packages under one roof. At its headquarters in Regensburg, Germany, a further production site in Penang (Malaysia) and a global network of sales and marketing centers, the company employs more than 3500 people. In the 2006 fiscal year, it achieved sales of around 500 million euros. This means that the optoelectronic semiconductor accounts for twelve percent of overall Osram GmbH sales.

The company benefits from more than thirty years of experience in the development and production of optoelectronic semiconductor components. This is evidenced by more than 3000 patents in the various areas of semiconductor technology. Added to this is the wealth of experience in the lighting sector stretching back one hundred years that the parent company OSRAM contributes. This concentrated knowledge, coupled with innovative products, technologies and visions, makes OSRAM Opto Semiconductors a highly competent partner in all matters relating to semiconductor technologies for lighting applications.

The extensive semiconductor product portfolio of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors includes high-power LEDs in the visible range, high-performance infrared LEDs, high-quality optoelectronic detectors, organic light emitting diodes(OLEDs) and high-power semiconductor lasers. All the components are available in various output categories with different brightness levels, sizes and package formats.

Products

IlluminationHigh-power LEDs in various white tones and all possible colors are currently making inroads in all lighting sectors, including room lighting, architecture lighting and street lighting. LEDs from OSRAM have been used in the automotive sector for a number of years. In this sector the company is number one in the world with pioneering solutions ranging from dashboard lighting right up to headlights on the latest show cars and prototypes. The OSTAR platform, the most powerful LED solution so far, includes high-power LEDs for numerous applications: For lighting, for projection, for rear projection television (RPTV) and as IR light sources for observation for use in the security sector.

SensorsInfrared LEDs, laser diodes and the associated detectors from OSRAM Opto Semiconductors improve the perception of the world around us in intelligent sensors and give us a “sixth sense”. Sensors are used to detect objects, movement or changes in ambient conditions in a range from the immediate vicinity to a distance of several hundred meters. They improve safety when used in smoke detectors and automobile safety systems (adaptive cruise control, driver assistance systems).

VisualizationMonochrome LEDs are used as points of light on information panels. Multicolor LEDs such as MultiLED cover the entire color triangle and are used in large-format displays at rock concerts, sports stadiums and trade fairs. OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is taking a dual approach to display and projection technology with its LEDs and lasers. The range of applications for LEDs includes screens of all sizes from small (for example for satnav systems, LCD monitors, mobile phones and other mobile terminals) to very large (102“ diagonal and higher). Small displays are also available with OLED backlighting. For projection applications the company will be using laser technology in addition to LED solutions (OSTAR Projection).

In addition to offering semiconductor components themselves, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors provides support for system solutions based on these components. This results in avant-garde solutions for lighting, visualisation and sensor technology. Good examples are customer-specific LED colors (Color on Demand), intelligent sensor modules and brand-specific headlight designs. The company intends greatly expanding its expertise in headlight design. With a comprehensive portfolio of LEDs in various output categories, for bright points of light, for large or small areas or for coupling light into materials, there are solutions that will meet any design requirement.

LED (Light Emitting Diodes)SMD and through-hole packages in all visible colors

Silicon PhotodetectorsPhototransistors, PIN Photodiodes, Photo IC

Optical SensorsSMT Reflective Sensors and Slotted Interrupters

Infrared Emitters850nm, 880nm, 940nm and 950nm wavelength

High-Power Laser DiodesSingle emitters, laser bars and laser stacks

PictivaTM OLED DisplaysPassive-matrix graphicdisplays with superior readability and full video capability

Intelligent DisplaysIntelligent displays with superior readability, available in all visible colors

Products Discontinued

OLED Display

On 30 July 2007 Osram GmbH has announced it will cease production of OLED-based displays and close the related fab in Penang, Malaysia. In the future, the company will focus on lighting solutions, also based on OLED technology. [http://www.osram.com/appscom/cgi-bin/press/archiv.pl?id=607] [http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=201201713] [http://www.osram-os.com/news/press_releases.php?lan=eng&id=9]

Since the end of 2003, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors has been manufacturing and marketing passive matrix displays based on OLEDs under the brand name of PictivaTM. Worldwide demand for the displays, which are used predominantly in communication systems, industrial applications and mobile consumer electronics, has lagged far behind the company's expectations. Against this background, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors has decided to withdraw from the display business and concentrate exclusively on the core business of lighting. [http://www.osram.com/appscom/cgi-bin/press/archiv.pl?id=607] [http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=201201713] [http://www.osram-os.com/news/press_releases.php?lan=eng&id=9]

References

External links

* [http://www.osram-os.com OSRAM Opto Semiconductor official website]
* [http://www.osram.com OSRAM official website]
* [http://www.sylvania.com OSRAM SYLVANIA official website]