GPUs, ASICs, and other AI processors require enormous amounts of power delivered at low voltages and high currents. Moving point-of-load DC-DC converters underneath those processors wastes less energy and provides cleaner power than having power components placed alongside loads. The semiconductor industry is approaching a transformative inflection point driven by the explosive growth of artificial […]
Featured Contributions
Protecting Ethernet interfaces in telecommunications applications against common high energy surges
The global market for industrial Ethernet applications will see strong growth. In one estimate, it’s expected to grow from around $11B in 2023 to nearly $20B by 2030, according to Grand View Research. However, telecommunications application successes are at the mercy of obstacles like circuit protection. As a result, the same research firm found that […]
Ionic cooling: a silent revolution in thermal management
As consumer electronics push the boundaries of thinness and performance, traditional cooling options are straining under ever-higher thermal loads. Mechanical fans have carried the burden for decades, but they impose limits on device height, acoustic performance, reliability, and board layout. Ionic cooling offers a fundamentally different approach: solid-state airflow driven by electrohydrodynamic (EHD) forces that […]
Robust design for Variable Frequency Drives and starters
Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and soft starters are essential components in modern industrial and commercial systems. VFDs provide precise control over motor speed, torque, and efficiency, matching speed to load requirements to minimize energy consumption. Soft starters gradually increase motor voltage to limit inrush current and prevent damage to the electrical system. Controlled inrush current […]
Meeting demand for hidden wearables via Schottky rectifiers
Consumers demand increasingly powerful yet compact electronic devices in today’s fast-paced world. From smartphones and laptops to wearable technology, these devices must deliver high performance while fitting into our increasingly mobile lifestyles. Engineers constantly seek innovative solutions to meet these demands and enhance device efficiency, battery life, and overall user experience. Advancements in battery technology […]
The case for vehicle 48 V power systems
Moving from 12 to 48 V systems will reduce vehicle weight through thinner, lighter cables. Tradeoffs include more stringent safety requirements. As vehicles integrate advanced features such as advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, and electric turbocharging, the limitations of traditional 12 V systems become increasingly evident. To meet these and other power-hungry applications, […]
GaN reliability milestones break through the silicon ceiling
The semiconductor industry is at a point where performance, efficiency, and reliability must advance in parallel. The needs of AI infrastructure, electric mobility, power conversion, and communications systems are pushing materials to their limits. Gallium Nitride (GaN) is gaining attention because it can meet those needs. The industry has reached a point where the conversation […]
Developing power architecture to support autonomous transportation
New and innovative vehicles are being developed to support more autonomous activity in transport for warehousing, logistics, agriculture, and distribution. The power requirements for these applications have triggered the development of new solutions from semiconductor manufacturers. Electrification in the automotive industry continues to generate headlines as consumers want to learn more about the features and […]
What makes SiC tick?
Silicon carbide is a notoriously hard and complex material. Wafer production for fabricating SiC power semiconductors leverages intensive engineering of manufacturing processes, specifications, and equipment to achieve commercial quality and cost-effectiveness. Necessity and invention Wide-bandgap semiconductors are changing the game in power electronics, enabling system-level efficiency to move beyond the practical limits of silicon devices […]
Mitigate reverse recovery overshoot in MOSFET body diodes
Because of their compact size, higher efficiency, and superior performance in high-power applications, SiC MOSFETs are now replacing Si devices in switching applications. SiC devices enable faster switching times, significantly reducing switching losses. These advantages stem from the unique electrical and material properties of SiC-based devices — snappy reverse recovery inherent to the structure of […]
