The Rise of Domestic Chips: From AI Training to Circuit Protection

Recently, Ant Group announced that it successfully reduced the cost of training its AI models by 20% using domestically developed chip technology. This breakthrough not only highlights the rapid advancement of China's semiconductor industry but also opens up new opportunities for the entire electronics supply chain. Against this backdrop, semiconductor companies like Slkor are providing critical protection for electronic devices through innovative products, with their flagship product, the SMF33A transient voltage suppression (TVS) diode, being a prime example of the progress in domestic chip technology.

Slkor Transient Protection Diode SMF33A product photo

The SMF33A, a high-performance circuit protection device, comes in a compact SOD-123FL package, with a 33V reverse working voltage (VRWM) and a 53.3V clamping voltage (VC), along with a low leakage current of just 1μA. These excellent parameters make it ideal for providing reliable transient voltage protection for various electronic devices, especially in the rapidly developing fields of AI hardware and 5G communication equipment, where it plays an irreplaceable role.

Slkor Transient Protection Diode SMF33A specification

Technological Innovation: The Core Advantages of SMF33A

The Slkor SMF33A is manufactured using advanced semiconductor processes, with a fast response time (<1ns) that effectively counters threats like electrostatic discharge (ESD) as per IEC 61000-4-2 and lightning surge (IEC 61000-4-5). This device works based on the avalanche breakdown principle, maintaining a high impedance state when the circuit voltage is below the VRWM. When it encounters a transient voltage exceeding 36.7V (VBR min), it rapidly switches to a low-impedance state, limiting the voltage to below 53.3V.

Parameters of Slkor Transient Protection Diode SMF33A

Compared to imported similar products, the SMF33A has three major advantages: First, it offers outstanding cost-performance, maintaining a peak pulse power of 200W while being priced 15-20% lower than international brands. Second, it ensures stable supply, as it is entirely produced domestically, avoiding supply chain risks due to international trade fluctuations. Third, it offers flexible customization, with Slkor able to quickly adjust product parameters and packaging to meet customer needs.

Of particular note is the SMF33A's low leakage current (1μA), which makes it highly suitable for power management systems in AI training equipment. Ant Group's technological breakthrough demonstrates the high demands AI hardware has for power efficiency and stability, and the SMF33A meets these needs perfectly, providing robust protection without significantly increasing system power consumption—an ideal match for AI cost reduction and efficiency enhancement.

Industry Applications: From AI Hardware to 5G Base Stations

In AI servers and training equipment, the SMF33A is mainly used to protect critical power management units and data transmission interfaces. AI hardware often operates under high loads for extended periods, requiring extremely reliable circuit protection. The SMF33A’s wide temperature range (-55°C to +150°C) ensures stable operation in various harsh environments, providing a solid protective barrier for AI computations.

5G communication is another key application area for the SMF33A. With the rapid construction of 5G base stations, equipment faces more complex electromagnetic environments and harsher lightning strike risks. Slkor has developed an optimized solution for 5G devices, combining the SMF33A with gas discharge tubes to form a two-stage protection circuit, successfully passing the 4kV combined wave surge test. This solution has already been validated in several domestic 5G base station projects, with performance comparable to international leading brands.

The industrial automation sector also benefits from the excellent performance of the SMF33A. In devices like PLCs and industrial sensors, it provides reliable protection for 24V control circuits, preventing transient overvoltages caused by motor start/stop or relay switching.

Accelerating Domestic Substitution: Supply Chain Security and Technological Independence

Ant Group’s success story proves that Chinese chips are fully capable of supporting cutting-edge technological applications. Following this trend, companies like Slkor are actively advancing domestic substitution strategies.

In terms of technological innovation, the Slkor R&D team is focused on developing the next generation of TVS products, targeting breakthroughs in three areas: lower capacitance (with a target of <50pF) to meet the needs of high-speed interface protection, higher power density (with a target of 300W in the same package size) to handle more demanding surge environments, and intelligent integration, combining TVS and EMI filters into a single chip. These innovations will further consolidate the technological advantages of domestic protection devices.

Future Outlook: Collaborative Innovation and Industry Upgrading

With the continued advancement of the "Made in China" semiconductor strategy, various links in the semiconductor industry chain are forming a collaborative effect. From AI training to circuit protection, China’s semiconductor industry is building a complete technological ecosystem. The maturity of domestic devices like the Slkor SMF33A not only provides reliable protection for electronic devices but also lays a solid foundation for the safe and controllable development of the entire industry. In the new landscape of global competition, this collaborative innovation across the entire industry chain will become a core competitive advantage of "Made in China."

About Slkor：

Slkor has research and development offices in Busan, South Korea, Beijing, China, and Suzhou, China. Most of the wafer manufacturing and packaging and testing are carried out within China. The company employs and collaborates with individuals and organizations worldwide, with a laboratory for product performance and reliability testing and a central warehouse located at its headquarters in Shenzhen. Slkor has filed for over a hundred invention patents, offers more than 2,000 product models, and serves over ten thousand customers globally. Its products are exported to countries and regions including Europe, the Americas, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, making it one of the rapidly growing semiconductor companies in recent years. With well-established management systems and streamlined workflows, Slkor has rapidly enhanced the brand awareness and reputation of its "SLKOR" brand through its outstanding quality and standardized services. Its product range includes three major series: diodes, transistors, and power devices, with recent introductions of new products such as Hall elements and analog devices, expanding its presence in sensors, Risc-v microcontrollers, and other product categories.