South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co., the world’s biggest chipmaker which has been actively diversifying its chip portfolio, said on Tuesday that it began mass production of SE8A, a power delivery controller that meets latest USB-power delivery (PD) 3.0 specifications for fast charging. Samsung Electronics is also sampling power delivery controller MM101, a move that will help the company expand its presence in the power semiconductor industry.

According to Samsung Electronics, USB-PD 3.0 chargers are embedded with technology that supports up to 100 watt power capacity, which is more than six times than that of general high-speed smartphone chargers.

SE8A is the industry’s first power delivery controller with embedded secure element, which adds extra protection against unauthorized chargers. It supports USB Type-C Authentication, a certificate-based authentication program, which prevents hacking of electronics devices due to malware as it immediately blocks data delivery route when unauthorized cables are connected. The program also prevents data damage and allows safe management of password authentication key as hardware secure module is embedded, allowing new kinds of contents to be introduced via power charger.

For example, when an electronics device user connects certified charger, a password authentication key operates, providing new kinds of services and exclusive contents for the user such as music or videos.

SE8A allows high-speed charging only under defined condition after distinguishing original product certified with USB-PD 3.0 specifications once it is connected to an electronics device.

Samsung Electronics also upped safety of the power delivery charger by adopting a solution that blocks charging when moisture or foreign substance is found in the cable junction area.

Both SE8A and MM101 chips are built with embedded Flash (eFlash), which allows charger manufacturers to constantly update software to meet the latest USB charging specifications without hardware modification.

“Power adapters that can quickly charge devices while establishing safeguards against unauthorized access are increasingly in demand,” said Hur Kook, senior vice president of system LSI marketing at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung’s power delivery MM101 and security-enhanced SE8A will not only make charging faster and safer but also enable new services that can enrich tomorrow’s mobile experiences.”

Meanwhile, according to market research firm IC Insights, global power semiconductor industry is projected to reach $17.1 billion in revenue this year, up 5 percent from a year earlier.

By Hwang Soon-min and Lee Eun-joo

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]