Annual Report 2002 [PDF/1.6MB]

Electronics BusinessSupporting Future Society's Cutting-Edge ElectronicsFor The Advanced Semiconductor MarketLSIs now play an important role in every facet of ourdaily lives.Kawasho is currently expanding ASIC and ASSP(Application Specific Standard Products) sales ofproducts manufactured by KawasakiMicroelectronics, Inc. ( a spin-off from the KawasakiSteel Corporation LSI Division in 2001), with salesmainly to domestic OA equipment manufacturers.Kawasaki Microelectronics began operating in 1984as a new business development division ofKawasaki Steel Corporation. Rather than standardproducts like DRAM and microprocessors, with anaim to be able to precisely meet future needs, thenew division focused on ASIC. It led the way with thedevelopment of a unique cell-based array, andcontinued to rapidly develop business in the areasof standard cells, microcontrollers and ASSP fortelecommunications, video, information and OAequipment applications.At present, in partnerships with reliable leadingcorporations, Kawasaki Microelectronics is focusingits advanced technological capabilities on becominga world-class LSI maker in the area of ASIC handlingeverything from design and wafer manufacture topackaging, tests and quality control.Through the sale of Kawasaki Microelectronics'original, high-grade ASIC and ASSP, Kawashoaccounts for about 20% of the company'ssemiconductor sales.Semiconductors made by Kawasaki Microelectronics, Inc.Fingerprint verification PC card[ Broadcast Equipment ]Kawasho sells semiconductor ICs manufactured byGennum Corporation in Canada to major broadcastequipment manufacturers in Japan. The spread ofdigital broadcasting has generated demand forbroadcast-related equipment that delivers highquality picture and sound with faster processingspeeds. As a leading designer and supplier of awide range of high quality ICs for specialapplications, Gennum is a well-known company inthe field of broadcasting worldwide.Fingerprint verification PC cardSigmaTel Inc. Audio CODEC providingaudio/video component level sound from a PCSerial digital interface chips by Gennum use for awide range of TV broadcasting applications[ Fingerprint Verification Chip ]Recent rapid IT developments and increased use ofnetworks have boosted the demand for measures tosafeguard both corporate and individual information.Kawasho sells fingerprint verification unit featuringan advanced electrostatic capacitive fingerprintsensor chip.[ Audio CODEC ]With the fusion of PCs and home electricalappliances continuing apace, the call is for PCs thatdeliver the same sound quality as AV components.22