Core components of a sustainable world

productronica will present all the relevant developments along the innovation and value chain from power semiconductors from November 14 to 17, 2023. Conceptual sponsor of the most important event for the industry is VDMA Productronics.

Power semiconductors are indispensable for the transformation into a climate-neutral and digital society. The industry, renewable energies, and automotive sectors, in particular, are driving a rising demand. The goals are always to reduce CO2 emissions, increase system efficiencies and advance digitalisation.

The analysts from the Yole Group expect the global power electronics market to grow from $20.9 billion (2022) to $33.3 billion by 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%. They name governmental regulations, the expansion of renewable energies and the demand for energy-efficient solutions as the reasons for this trend.

Power electronics for industry

According to Spherical Insights, the industry segment holds the largest market share with over 24%, as power electronic devices and systems find widespread usage in motor drives, power supplies, robotics and process control. With regards to the continuous growth of industrial automation, the analysts also consider the industry segment to still be an essential driver of the power electronic market.

The industrial sector in particular requires reliable and efficient power electronics in order to increase productivity, reduce energy consumption and optimise manufacturing processes. Every failure in the field can lead to enormous costs. Innovative test solutions from productronica exhibitors Rohde&Schwarz, Viscom, Löhnert, CRS Prüftechnik and SPEA address this issue.

Silicon, silicon carbide, and gallium nitride

Power electronics is divided into three main segments based on the types of material used: silicon, silicon carbide, and gallium nitride. The choice of semiconductor material significantly affects the performance, efficiency, and reliability of the system.

The competitive cost/performance ratio of silicon makes it still the most widespread semiconductor material. However, it reaches its limits when it comes to what operating frequencies and breakdown voltages it can achieve.

Because of this, components made of gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) are increasingly entering the field. Inverters based on wide bandgap semiconductors enable faster and lower-loss switching with significantly higher efficiencies. They are able to switch higher voltages at higher frequencies – with less cooling required. Shorter switching times significantly reduce energy losses and at the same time are able to tolerate more compact passive components such as inductors or capacitors.

Because of the lengthier and more complex manufacturing processes they require, chips made from silicon carbide and gallium nitride are significantly more expensive than their silicon counterparts. However, the manufacturers expect to reduce costs by switching to 300mm wafer technology. 

The choice between silicon, silicon carbide and gallium nitride ultimately depend on the specific requirements of the application, including power, switching frequency, temperature, and cost.

SiC in motion

Silicon carbide offers significant advantages for the power electronics of electric vehicles in particular. That’s because more efficient and compact drive and charging systems increase ranges and shorten charging times. For that reason, SiC is a key technology for the future of mobility for many car manufacturers and suppliers.

In Hall B2, Stand 448, VDMA co-exhibitor Breuer-Motoren is presenting a SiC inverter power amplifier developed as part of the research project ‘SiC-Mobil—SiC frequency converter for electromobility’ as a test platform for investigating the reliability, service life, EMC and efficiency of fast-switching SiC power semiconductors.

Power electronics at productronica

In cooperation with the Productronics Department of the VDMA – the conceptual and technical sponsor of productronica – lectures and live demonstrations in Hall B2 Stand 448 will cover the topic of power electronics.

In the Semiconductors Cluster, the productronica exhibitors will show their latest innovations in these areas.

SEMICON Europa, which is once again taking place alongside productronica, is expanding its offering in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.