Power Electronics ♦ news digest


Power Management Integrated Circuits (PMICs) accounted for 3.5% of the global semiconductor market in 2010, according to a new report available on companiesandmarkets.com.


PMIC market growth is driven by consumer interest in portable devices such as smartphones, and their need for energy efficient technologies.


Nelson Pass, founder of audio amplifier manufacturer Nelson Pass, comments, “Over the last forty years I have greatly appreciated the qualities of low power JFETs in audio circuits, and experimenting with the few examples of ‘unobtainable’ power JFETs has convinced me of their great potential. With the new SiC power JFETs from SemiSouth, this potential has been realised in reliable linear power amplifiers. In push-pull topologies, they exhibit a 50% to 70% improvement in distortion, and in single-ended circuits the improvement has been nearly ten-fold. Currently we profitably produce a small high-end audio amplifier using the SJEP120R100A devices and are engaged in developing other higher power amplifiers using this and the SJDP120R085 depletion mode devices.”


SemiSouth’s Director of Sales, Dieter Liesabeths, adds, “These parts are especially suitable for high end audio amplifier designs which demand the best linearity performance and lowest distortion. Compared to conventional SiC JFET for power applications, the prices for these audio parts has been reduced by about 15% in order to meet the demand of customers.”


GaN energy efficient technology is driving demand for PMICs


Gallium nitride is overtaking silicon carbide for use in power semiconductors (which use PMICs), as it enhances power density, breakdown voltage, switching frequency, resistance and system efficiency.


PMICs have applications in the communication, IT, industrial, automotive, medical, defence and electronics sectors. A factor encouraging growth in the PMIC market is the interest in energy efficient technologies, to combat rising energy prices and consumer adoption of portable electronic devices.


Alternative energy technologies used to harness solar and wind power are driving demand, as power semiconductors use power management integrated circuits to minimise energy wastage and ensure efficient power distribution. The PMIC research report, “Power Management Integrated Circuits (IC) Market to 2020 - Alternative Energy Markets and Energy Efficient Portable Gadgets to Drive Sales Growth,” indicates that energy efficient technologies could reduce global electricity use by up to 30%, by 2025.


Manufacturing companies are seeking improvement opportunities for their power devices, and substrate technology is of interest. The power management integrated circuit research report highlights a trend for the use of GaN instead of SiC in power semiconductors (which use PMICs), as it enhances power density, breakdown voltage, switching frequency, resistance and system efficiency.


Thermal management is another opportunity to minimise cost and improve efficiencies of power management semiconductor PMICs. Improvements to packaging systems will equip PMICs to cope with fluctuations in current, and subsequently enhance energy management.


Key companies profiled within the PMIC research report include: Infineon Technologies AG, Linear Technology Corporation, National Semiconductor, STMicroelectronics N.V and Texas Instruments.


August/September 2011 www.compoundsemiconductor.net 153


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