The digital revolution of the past few decades is continuing unabated. Underlying digital transformation is massive power consumption.
From mega data centers to handheld devices, every digital enabler and device needs power. Power semiconductor technologies that transform electrical energy into digital outputs are core components of the digital circuitry that power digital transformation. These semiconductors have traditionally been highly sensitive to fluctuations in inputs and best suited for small-scale devices.
Industrial environments are the next frontier for further digital transformation and require more rugged power semiconductor technologies. For the higher performance required in industrial settings, components need to handle extremely high electrical currents, voltages, and frequencies. This article gives an overview of today’s power semiconductor technology and covers new developments that are ushering in the next generation of power technologies.