KD develops semiconductor solutions for high-speed optical networking designed to perform reliably in the harshest environments. The company’s technology enables next-generation connectivity across automotive, industrial, and consumer applications.
In the automotive sector, KD focuses on camera and backbone in-vehicle networks, where high bandwidth, resilience, and efficiency are critical to support the transition to zonal and centralized architectures.
Interview with Pablo Blázquez, Business Development Manager at KD.
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Pablo Blázquez: Our core activities span three main markets:
- Automotive, where our solutions power optical backbones and camera links for in-vehicle networks.
- Industrial, supporting robotics, automation, and high-reliability communication systems.
- Home & SOHO, delivering optical networking solutions that bring carrier-grade performance to consumer environments.
What’s the news about new products/services?
P.B: We are introducing optical solutions for automotive camera systems, designed to meet the stringent requirements of ADAS and autonomous driving. In parallel, we are expanding our product line for optical backbones to higher speeds 25Gb/s and 50Gb/s, providing a robust and scalable ecosystem.
What are the ranges of products/services?
P.B: Our portfolio currently covers optical Ethernet speeds from 100 Mb/s up to 10 Gb/s, serving both camera links and in-vehicle backbones. Looking ahead, we are developing 25–50 Gb/s solutions that will enable the next generation of backbone architectures.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
P.B: The automotive connectivity market is undergoing a fundamental transformation. OEMs are rolling to zonal and centralized architectures, which require backbone networks capable of transporting massive data flows from ADAS, infotainment, and autonomous systems. Optical Ethernet is gaining momentum over copper as the preferred medium thanks to its weight reduction, energy efficiency, and EMI resilience.
What can you tell us about market trends?
P.B: We see four key trends shaping the market:
- The transition from domain-based to zonal architecture is accelerating, with optical backbones as a cornerstone.
- Bandwidth demand is surging, fueled by ADAS sensors, AI, and autonomous driving.
- Optical technology is emerging as the medium of choice for higher speeds in noisy, high-density environments.
- Standardization and interoperability are becoming decisive for large-scale deployment and ecosystem scalability.
What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
P.B: Our most innovative solutions are high-speed optical Ethernet transceivers in the 2.5–10 Gb/s range, purpose-built for automotive backbones. These solutions provide robust, high-bandwidth in-vehicle communication, forming the foundation for software-defined and autonomous vehicles. A key differentiator is their scalability by keeping the same optical harnesses, up to 25–50 Gb/s, simplifying future architectures while protecting OEM investments in infrastructure.
What estimations do you have for the second half of 2025?
P.B: The second half of 2025 will be pivotal for KD. We are advancing several proof-of-concepts with leading OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, both for optical backbones and camera systems. At the same time, we are expanding our manufacturing footprint with a new factory, ensuring the capacity and supply chain resilience required to support large-scale automotive programs.