Dongbu HiTek today announced that it has begun volume production of Ambient Light Proximity Sensor (ALPS) chips for Clairpixel Co., Ltd., a Korean company specializing in single-chip image and motion sensor solutions for mobile, automotive, medical and security applications. Leveraging Dongbu HiTek's specialized mixed-signal process, Clairpixel's advanced ALPS chip is expected to target the growing Chinese smart phone market.

"Clairpixel's ALPS chip highlights the system-on-chip attributes of our specialized 0.18um mixed-signal process," said Jae Song, Dongbu HiTek EVP of marketing. "We look forward to expanding our collaboration before year end to add a color sensor function to this highly integrated chip design." He credited the rapidly rising adoption rate of ALPS chips to their ability to extend battery life by optimizing screen brightness against ambient light. "With the addition of a color sensor, ALPS will also be able to automatically optimize color on large mobile screens while conserving battery power."

According to recent market research from Gartner, Inc., worldwide smart phone shipments are expected to more than double from about 718 million units last year to more than 1.6 billion units in 2016. Over this same period, Chinese smart phone shipments are forecast to rise from 25% to 33% of the total. Smart phone manufacturers such as Huawei and ZTE Corporation are expected to lead the expanding share of Chinese shipments. During the fourth quarter of 2012, some estimates report that Huawei shipped nearly 5% the worldwide total giving them the third largest market share worldwide.

About Dongbu HiTek

Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd. specializes in developing superb analog and mixed-signal processing technologies. The company adds high value to advanced ICs with a processing portfolio that encompasses Analog CMOS, BCDMOS, High Voltage CMOS, CMOS RF, CMOS Image Sensor (CIS), Display Driver IC (DDI), Touch Screen Controller IC and NOR Flash technologies. With its best-in-class BCDMOS technology, the company manufactures power management chips that serve numerous applications ranging from home and handheld electronics to automotive and industrial systems. Currently processing technologies at nodes ranging from 0.35 microns to 90 nanometers, the company complements its world class foundry capabilities with top quality design support, prototype verification and packaging/module development. Headquartered in Seoul, Dongbu HiTek publicly trades its stock under 000990 on the Korea Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.dongbuhitek.com.

Dongbu HiTek HQ
Kevin Lee, +82-32-680-4052
kevin.lee@dongbu.com
or
Dongbu HiTek USA
Elizabeth Estrella-Basilio, +1-408-238-8822
elizabeth@crossborderpr.com