nFore Technology General Manager Robin Yu: "Realtek's expertise in innovation lies in its superior system integration capabilities, seamlessly combining critical analog and digital components. With the goal of achieving a 'System on Chip' (SoC), Realtek provides comprehensive solutions to its customers. It is precisely Realtek's continuous innovation and breakthroughs that have not only shaped its professional image in research and development but also created opportunities for collaboration with nFore."

Realtek's Bluetooth technology, known for its high integration and stability, has successfully partnered with nFore to create highly competitive market solutions. Furthermore, Realtek's advancements in audio decoding technology have significantly contributed to these solutions. nFore, focusing on technology as its core, is dedicated to the research, development, and application of automotive wireless communication technologies. The company offers solutions for wireless communication modules, C-V2X (Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything) vehicle-road collaboration, smart key solutions, audio algorithms, video algorithms, and V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) solutions, providing one-stop services for the development of automotive intelligence and connectivity. Through this exclusive interview with nFore Technology's General Manager Robin Yu, we gain further insights into the development and future trends of in-car wireless communication systems.

1. Could you please introduce nFore Technology's core business and its market positioning?

nFore Technology, established in 2005, is a major supplier in the field of in-vehicle wireless communication and solutions. The company's products focus on the layout of in-vehicle wireless communication, covering automotive cockpit systems (such as BT and Wi-Fi, echo cancellation and noise reduction technology ECNR, Around View Monitoring system AVM), driver assistance domain (such as Global Navigation Satellite System GNSS + Inertial Navigation System INS, Vehicle-to-Everything technology V2X, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems ADAS), and body control systems (such as low-power Bluetooth BLE, Ultra-Wideband UWB, millimeter wave mmWAVE, Vehicle-to-Grid communication technology V2G).

In the fields of smart cockpit and driver assistance customization, nFore Technology provides comprehensive hardware products, core software algorithms, and technical services, offering essential foundational products and solutions for the intelligent development of automobiles.

2. How does nFore Technology customize and optimize its various automotive technologies to meet different customer needs?

nFore Technology focuses on the following areas to meet different customer needs:

1. In-depth Understanding of Customer Requirements:

nFore Technology understands that some high-end automotive brands have very high demands regarding the technical parameters of in-vehicle wireless communication, such as signal coverage, connection stability, transmission speed, anti-interference capability, and power consumption. These requirements are necessary to accommodate the complex electronic environment inside the vehicle and meet users' expectations for high-quality communication. nFore Technology further studies the usage scenarios and environmental characteristics, such as whether the vehicle is used indoors in parking garages, outdoors, or at high speeds, as well as any special functional requirements, such as supporting simultaneous connections to multiple devices or needing specific security encryption features.

2. Customized Technical Solutions:

At the hardware design level, nFore selects suitable components like chips and antennas according to customer needs. For clients requiring high transmission speeds or specific signal coverage, special antenna designs or signal enhancement technologies may be employed.

On the software algorithm side, nFore customizes and optimizes the communication protocol stack based on the customer's application scenarios and performance requirements. For example, for customers needing to transmit large amounts of data in real-time, nFore optimizes data transmission algorithms to enhance efficiency and stability. For those operating in environments with heavy signal interference, stronger anti-interference algorithms are developed to ensure communication quality.

3. Rigorous Testing and Validation:
In performance testing, nFore Technology conducts comprehensive performance evaluations of customized technologies, covering areas such as signal strength, transmission speed, stability, and power consumption. For example, they test signal strength and transmission speed under varying distances and obstructions, simulating long-term operation in various real-world conditions to verify the stability and reliability of the technology.

-  In terms of compatibility testing, nFore ensures compatibility with the client's existing in-vehicle systems and devices, verifying that the wireless signals can interface smoothly with other hardware and software platforms.

-  For security testing, nFore conducts rigorous evaluations based on the data security requirements of the vehicle. This includes testing the robustness of encryption algorithms, preventing data leakage, and blocking unauthorized access, ensuring the technology meets the highest security standards.

4. Ongoing Technical Support and Optimization:
nFore Technology provides related technical training for customers, including operational guidance and solutions to common issues. Based on customer feedback and technological advancements, nFore continuously optimizes its products, improving performance, adding new features, enhancing compatibility, and boosting security to meet evolving customer needs. For instance, as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standards are updated, nFore promptly offers upgrade recommendations, helping clients maintain their products at the cutting edge of technology and stay competitive in the market.

In summary, nFore Technology not only provides automotive technologies but also customizes and optimizes performance, functionality, appearance, and interfaces to meet the diverse application needs of OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. This provides strong support for the development of smart vehicles.

3. nFore Technology has developed automotive wireless communication modules, system software solutions, in-vehicle communication protocols, audio algorithms, video algorithms, and V2G solutions. Which of Realtek's solutions have currently been applied to nFore Technology's modules?

Realtek's Bluetooth and Wi-Fi solutions have been successfully applied to nFore's NF3401, NF3403, and NF3406 modules, which have already been mass-produced and delivered. During the development and production process, nFore is grateful for the technical support provided by Realtek. In the future, the two parties will further strengthen their cooperation, combining Realtek's communication technology with nFore's expertise in solutions to design and develop a broader product line for the market, aiming for a win-win outcome.

4. What are the reasons for choosing to collaborate with Realtek?

Since its establishment, Realtek has always adhered to a spirit of innovation. With its innovative capabilities, Realtek often serves as an industry benchmark, driving industry trends and technological advancements. Realtek's main solutions cover a wide range of fields, including network communication, automotive electronics, and industrial control. Particularly in the fields of audio technology and wireless communication solutions, Realtek has demonstrated its leadership and technical strength in the semiconductor industry. Realtek's expertise in innovation lies in its excellent system integration capabilities, seamlessly combining analog and digital key components, and offering comprehensive solutions to customers with the goal of "System on Chip" (SoC).

It is Realtek's continuous innovation and breakthroughs that have not only shaped its professional reputation in R&D and design but also provided the opportunity for nFore to collaborate. nFore looks forward to further expanding and deepening its collaboration with Realtek in the automotive OEM field, jointly promoting technological advancement and market development.

5. What are the technical advantages of the modules developed in collaboration with Realtek?

The communication modules developed by nFore in collaboration with Realtek demonstrate significant technical advantages in the following areas:

1. Performance:

Realtek has strong capabilities in IC design, and its possess high-performance processing power. Whether it's data computation or signal processing, they handle various tasks quickly and efficiently. Realtek's audio codec technology is renowned in the industry, and its ability to process high-fidelity audio is a key advantage of nFore's modules.

2. Connectivity:

Realtek excels in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology, providing stable connections, low latency, and high bandwidth. This enables nFore's modules to achieve fast and reliable data transmission and device interaction in automotive applications.

3. Compatibility:

Realtek's hardware platform is highly compatible with various operating systems and development tools, offering greater flexibility and convenience for nFore's module development. This reduces development complexity and adaptation costs while improving development efficiency.

6. How will you jointly address the challenges posed by the rapid development and growing demand for smart technologies in the automotive market?

To address the rapid development and the increasing demand for smart technologies in the automotive market, nFore Technology and Realtek can collaborate in two key areas: technical development and market expansion, working together to overcome these challenges.

1. Technical R&D Collaboration:

In the field of technical R&D, nFore and Realtek can jointly develop innovative solutions to meet the automotive industry's demand for high bandwidth and low-latency communication. Together, they can develop more advanced Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication technologies and solutions to improve data transmission efficiency and stability in automotive electronic systems. nFore Technology can leverage its design experience in automotive RF modules and antenna solutions, while combining it with Realtek's expertise in IC design (e.g., Ethernet chips, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth modules) to create more integrated and higher-performing automotive electronic systems. For example, the two companies could jointly design intelligent in-vehicle communication terminals that integrate high-efficiency communication and smart antenna technologies. In terms of product innovation collaboration, both parties can further enhance product compatibility and interoperability, ensuring seamless integration and cooperation between their products in automotive systems. This could include ensuring a high degree of compatibility between nFore's in-vehicle communication modules and software algorithms with Realtek's solutions, providing automotive manufacturers with convenient one-stop solutions.

2. Market Expansion Collaboration:

In terms of market expansion, nFore and Realtek can jointly expand their customer base, promoting products and solutions to OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers together. Through their combined customer networks and market channels, they can increase market penetration. For example, they could co-host technical seminars and product showcases to attract potential customers.

Additionally, both companies can collaborate on market research, gaining deeper insights into smart automotive market trends and customer needs. Based on market feedback, they can adjust product strategies and R&D directions in a timely manner. For the new energy vehicle market, which has specific demands for smart and connected solutions, they can develop corresponding solutions and products to better meet market needs and seize new business opportunities.

7. How do you assess the future development trends of the automotive market? How will these trends bring new momentum to the semiconductor market?

The future development trends of the automotive electronics market are as follows:

1. Intelligent and Connected Vehicles:
Cars will no longer be just a means of transportation but will transform into smart mobile living spaces with functions including transportation, entertainment, office, and communication. In-vehicle network communication will enable wireless communication and information exchange between vehicles, road infrastructure, pedestrians, and the internet. The influence and role of automotive electronics within the overall vehicle system will continue to grow. With the ongoing application of technologies like ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), autonomous driving, and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), the demand for related electronic control systems and in-vehicle electronic devices will continue to rise.

2. Electrification:
The rapid development of new energy vehicles is driving the electrification of power systems, leading to a significant increase in the demand for power devices. For example, the high requirements for the driving range of fully electric vehicles necessitate more precise energy management, which in turn requires a large number of inverters, transformers, and converters. This leads to much higher demand for power devices like IGBT, MOSFET, and diodes compared to traditional fuel-powered vehicles.

3. Functional Integration:
Automotive electronic systems will exhibit a trend of high integration, combining multiple functional modules to achieve more efficient performance and lower costs.

4. Accelerated Pace of Technological Innovation:
Continuous innovation is emerging in the automotive electronics field, such as algorithm chips, millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR, and new MEMS sensors. These emerging technologies are creating new opportunities for the semiconductor market. For example, the demand for automotive electronics is driving the shift toward solid-state LiDAR, where MEMS mirrors replace mechanical structures to control the emission angle and direction of laser beams, reducing costs. Additionally, automotive electronics are pushing millimeter-wave radar toward low-cost CMOS processes, promoting advancements in radar technology and cost reductions.

The development of new automotive technologies presents the following opportunities for the semiconductor market:

1. Significant Increase in Semiconductor Demand:
The trends of vehicle intelligence, electrification, and connectivity have greatly increased the demand for semiconductors in cars, including computing chips, power chips, communication chips, memory chips, and sensor chips.

2. Driving Semiconductor Technology Upgrades:
The development of automotive electronics places higher demands on semiconductor technology to meet requirements for high performance, low power consumption, and high reliability. This is pushing semiconductor companies to increase R&D investment and accelerate technological iterations, such as developing chips with more advanced processes and packaging technologies, thereby promoting overall technological progress in the semiconductor industry.

3. Fostering the Development of Emerging Semiconductor Fields:
The need for high-performance computing chips for autonomous driving, specialized semiconductor devices for LiDAR and millimeter-wave radar, and new memory chips that meet the high-reliability demands of automotive electronics have opened new growth areas in the semiconductor market, attracting more companies and investment.

4. Enhanced Industry Collaboration:
The development of the automotive electronics market is leading to closer cooperation between the semiconductor industry, automakers, and automotive parts suppliers. To meet the automotive industry's strict requirements for quality, reliability, and timely supply, the semiconductor industry needs to collaborate deeply with upstream and downstream companies in the supply chain, working together on technology R&D, product design, and manufacturing to enhance the overall efficiency and competitiveness of the industry ecosystem.

8. What are nFore Technology's long-term plans and goals in the automotive field?

I will elaborate on nFore Technology's long-term plans from the perspectives of technological R&D innovation and market expansion.

1. In the Field of R&D Innovation for V2X and Cabin-Technology Integration:
nFore will continue to optimize automotive RF modules, constantly improving their performance, stability, and compatibility to meet the growing demands of future automotive electronic systems in terms of data transmission speed and signal quality. For example, nFore will develop RF modules that support higher frequencies and broader bandwidths to provide better wireless connectivity solutions for applications such as ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment Systems).
Additionally, nFore will delve deeper into V2X communication protocols and technologies, actively participating in the formulation and refinement of V2X standards to promote efficient and secure communication between vehicles (V2V) and between vehicles and infrastructure (V2I). By developing more advanced V2X protocols, nFore aims to enable real-time information sharing between vehicles, laying the foundation for autonomous driving and smart traffic applications.

2. In the Field of Market Expansion:
While strengthening its existing presence in the Chinese and Northeast Asian markets, nFore is actively expanding into other regions such as the U.S., Europe, and India. By establishing partnerships with local automakers and suppliers and competing in international projects, nFore aims to enhance its global recognition and influence in the automotive sector. Additionally, by forming long-term strategic partnerships with well-known domestic and international automakers, nFore will gain deeper insights into the needs of car manufacturers and provide them with customized products and solutions. Jointly conducting R&D and project collaborations will help nFore strategically position itself for future advancements in automotive technology.

More information about nFore Technology: https://www.nforetek.com.tw/index.html