As AI large models operate at high speeds in the cloud and autonomous vehicles process massive amounts of data in real-time, two “invisible champions”—optical modules and PCBs (printed circuit boards)—are quietly supporting this growth and are now entering a golden development period. Serving as the “highway” for data transmission and the “nervous system” for electronic devices, this golden duo is redefining the operational efficiency of the digital world.
Optical modules, as the core components of optoelectronic conversion, benefit from the construction of 5G base stations, the expansion of data centers, and the explosive demand for AI computing power. The silicon photonics integration technology consolidates traditional discrete components at the chip level, with Huawei HiSilicon recently launching a 1.6T silicon photonic module that achieves single-channel 200G transmission.
The PCB industry continues to make breakthroughs in materials, with Shengyi Technology introducing ultra-low loss PCB materials that reduce signal transmission loss to 0.002dB/cm, meeting the PCIe 7.0 standard requirements. 3D packaging technology is evolving PCBs into “three-dimensional circuits,” with the mainboard of Huawei’s foldable smartphone already adopting a four-layer stacked design.
This article highlights 10 companies with explosive growth potential in high elasticity sectors, including optical modules and PCBs, for your reference.
1. Wantong Development
Main business: Property asset management, real estate development and sales, communication and digital technology.
Optical module field: By holding a stake in Solis Optoelectronics, its 800G silicon photonic module utilizes Intel technology and self-developed EML lasers, and has achieved mass production.
PCB field: By holding a stake in Shudu Technology, it is involved in the PCIe high-speed switch chip field and participates in PCB interconnection technology, but does not directly produce PCBs.
2. Founder Technology
Main business: Production and sales of PCB products.
Optical module field: Focused on the R&D and manufacturing of PCB products, its products are applied in the optical module field, providing high-density interconnect boards and other basic materials.
PCB field: A high-end PCB manufacturer, its products are used in communication equipment and consumer electronics, supplying NVIDIA and producing PCBs for optical modules and servers.
3. Zhongke Shuguang
Main business: R&D and manufacturing of high-end computers, storage, security, and data center products.
Optical module field: With a core business in servers, storage, and high-performance computing, optical modules are mainly applied in its data center solutions.
PCB field: A server manufacturer that uses high-reliability PCB materials (such as non-through-hole technology) to enhance product performance, but does not produce PCBs independently.
4. Huagong Technology
Main business: Production and sales of laser equipment and laser anti-counterfeiting labels.
Optical module field: Through its subsidiary Huagong Zhengyuan, it produces 400G and 800G high-speed optical modules, widely used in computing center construction, and is a core component of its optical communication business.
PCB field: Provides laser processing, testing, and automation solutions in the PCB field, covering packaging substrates, FPCs, etc., achieving domestic substitution.
5. Zhishang Technology
Main business: R&D, design, production, and sales of optical communication products and automation equipment.
Optical module field: Provides single-core and multi-core MPO fiber jumpers and other connector products, mainly serving data centers and 5G communications (FTTH, FTTA) scenarios.
PCB field: Automation equipment is applied in PCB testing and assembly, covering 3C electronics, connectors, FPCs, etc., but does not produce PCBs independently.
6. Xinyi Sheng
Main business: R&D, production, and sales of high-performance optical modules.
Optical module field: Focused on the R&D and production of high-speed optical modules, its products cover 400G, 800G, and above rates, making it a key hardware supplier for computing networks.
PCB field: As an optical module manufacturer, its technology involves the design of optical module PCBs, having previously developed multifunctional low-cost SFP module PCBs to accommodate different wiring methods.
7. Ruijie Networks
Main business: R&D, design, and sales of network devices, network security products, and cloud desktop solutions.
Optical module field: Provides optical module solutions applied in network devices and data centers, supporting high-speed data transmission.
PCB field: R&D of 224G ultra-low loss PCB solutions for data center switches and network devices, supporting high-speed data transmission and energy-saving requirements.
8. Cambridge Technology
Main business: Terminal devices for telecommunications, data communications, and enterprise networks.
Optical module field: Mainly engaged in optical modules and communication devices, including 5G base station optical modules and data center optical modules, which are one of its core businesses.
PCB field: Collaborates with Jingwang Electronics for its optical module business, using their PCB boards for 400G/800G modules, focusing on high-speed interconnection in data centers.
9. Tongfu Microelectronics
Main business: Integrated circuit packaging and testing service provider, offering one-stop services for design simulation and packaging testing to global customers.
Optical module field: Completed preliminary verification of FCBGA chip packaging technology based on glass core substrates in 2024, targeting high-performance chip demands in optoelectronic communication and AI fields.
PCB field: Focused on packaging and testing business, involving PCB types required for advanced packaging, such as FC-BGA substrates.
10. Robotec
Main business: Development of high-end automation equipment and intelligent manufacturing execution system software based on industrial internet technology (R2Fab).
Optical module field: Its subsidiary ficonTEC produces nano-level ultra-high precision fully automatic coupling devices, applied in the development and mass production of high-speed silicon optical modules, CPO, and other technologies.
PCB field: Provides automation equipment for PCB production processes (such as exposure and testing).
Special statement: The above content does not constitute any investment advice, guidance, or commitment, and is for academic discussion only. The market has risks, and investment decisions should be based on rational independent thinking.