[Editor's Note] Panoptics is a company specializing in optical communications, terahertz, lasers, and IoT, and was recently selected as an excellent example of a company participating in the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' technology consultation. Panoptics said that the fiber laser developed by the Korea Institute of Photonics and Technology has resolved difficulties in the polycarbonate lens production process. In addition, Panoptics is using terahertz to create X-rays that were previously invisible, and security-related technologies that were difficult to access with other technologies, in collaboration with research institutes. Accordingly, our magazine arranged an interview with Kim Jang-seon, CEO of Panoptics, to hear about Panoptics' main technologies and products, such as optical communications, terahertz, and IoT, as well as the semiconductor market outlook and future strategies.


■ Please introduce Panoptics.

Panoptics is a technology venture founded in 2005.

In fact, it is a late bloomer technology venture because it was started in 2019.

We are conducting business in the domestic optical communications, laser, and terahertz fields.

■ Please introduce the main products and special features of Panoptics.

There are research and development projects as a distribution business and technology venture.

In the distribution business, we distribute optical components used in optical transmission equipment used by various domestic telecommunications companies.

Actually, I made it myself at my previous job.

Since related components are mass-produced, Panoptics also supplies optical communication modules through Chinese partners.

In addition, we conduct our own research and development in various processing lasers. We don't make our own lasers.

Create a subsystem by creating a laser driver that can be used and controlled by the laser, as well as other programs.

In addition, in relation to optical sensing, we previously distributed only some of the components that go inside, but we are now integrating this into our research and development business and commercializing our own optical sensing solutions.

Current research and development is creating security equipment that uses terahertz to detect hidden objects.

■ Recently, it was selected as an excellent example of a company participating in the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' technology consultation. I would like to hear about the overall story of technology consultation.

Actually, there are probably many better companies than Panoptics, but I am grateful that Panoptics got the opportunity.

The company has acquired technology while distributing and partially controlling various compound semiconductor-based lasers.

I was looking for a business with added value using that technology.

This technical consultation has opened up a new business opportunity.

In the process, the Korea Institute of Photonics and Technology developed a micron fiber laser and combined it with Panoptics' control technology.

Manufacturing polycarbonate lenses requires precise cutting techniques.

This technical consultation was of great help in resolving difficulties encountered during the lens manufacturing process.

■ Panoptics is expanding its business based on optical communications. What is the outlook for the optical communications market?

Optical communications was a hot industry until the early 2000s.

Since then, the sales volume per unit of optical communications in large corporations has been relatively small compared to other industries, and has been neglected.

There may be problems that may arise as foreign optical transmission equipment companies, including Huawei, take over a large portion of the domestic market.

This will also be an opportunity for domestic optical transmission equipment companies to survive.

Along with this, optical component and optical communication component companies must also grow together to help Korea regain its position in the broadband sector, where it has lagged behind, and to solidify its position as a global leader together with domestic companies in optical and quantum.

If more people take interest in optical communications and optical application industries, the industry will grow further and produce more talented people, which will become a new driving force for Korea.

■ We are conducting various research and projects related to photonics convergence. Please introduce the research you are currently conducting.

A key element of 6G is terahertz. This is a band of 300 gigahertz or more that has not been used before.

There are parts that use light to implement it, and parts that use RF.

Panoptics also handles RF, but its focus is optical.

Using terahertz, we are working with research institutes to create X-rays that have never been seen before, as well as security-related technologies that were difficult to access with other technologies.

In the future, photonics-based terahertz is expected to become a new growth breakthrough for panoptics.

We also have many customers and overseas partners related to lasers.

Panoptics makes products like laser drivers that some people need but aren't making.

Previously, it was simply turned ON/OFF, but Panoptics is conducting research and development projects to control and recognize products in a smarter way by utilizing the trendy AI, especially machine learning techniques.

I think I'll be back with some better news.

■ I would like to hear about the market outlook and future strategies for IoT convergence products.

In fact, IoT is partly involved in panoptics, but many people are producing good reports.

I think that the most important part of IoT is sensing and sensors.

Sensors detect responses and have meaningful values, but if they are not communicated, they have no effect.

As before, there is no environment prepared for large communication modules, space, and energy to accommodate the modules.

The important role of IoT is to connect various sensors in our lives and make people's lives safer and more comfortable through their responses. />
IoT is expected to be widely distributed in various fields such as home appliances, sports, and mountaineering.

The outlook for the IoT market is very bright as IoT technology appears set to enter people's lives.

The market evaluates whether it is good or bad depending on how it defines IoT itself.

There is now a need to define and value IoT from a different perspective.

The outlook for the IoT market is broadly positive, but depending on how it is defined, the market itself may not be evaluated well in terms of revenue, etc.

I think it's a cautious but very necessary field that needs to grow.

■ I would like to hear about the outlook for 2022 and Panoptics’ business plan.

Fortunately for Panoptics, despite the many difficulties they faced last year, the number of people willing to help has increased.

I think that thanks to the help I received from professors and researchers I met at activities such as the Korean Optical Society and the Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science, Panoptics is now at a point where distribution and research and development are becoming more harmonious.

We are working hard to make 2022 the first year in which we will exceed our target sales of 10 billion won.

I am truly grateful to all the staff for their hard work and cooperation during the COVID period.

It has been 18 years since the company was founded. Our goal is to create a company where people feel happy when they come to work.

I want to create a fun company with fewer unnecessary meetings.

We will work hard to make 2022 a year in which Panoptics becomes a company that is well-equipped and loved by our customers.

■ Lastly, please say a word to the readers.

Information seems to be the most important part of this industry.

And a network of people who can use that information to meet others. These two are the most important factors.

You, the reader, are one of those who are already doing this.

Furthermore, I believe that if we can have more interactions, we can achieve success in business and live a meaningful life personally.

I think it will be a meaningful opportunity if readers see a lot of good information and engage in more exchanges based on that information in the future.