Abstract:
Power electronics are the backbone of nearly every electronics-based product we see and use today, from smartphones, tablets, PCs & laptops, televisions & monitors, and gaming consoles, to automobiles, airplanes, trains, power plants, and windmills, among others. There’s no question that leading edge semiconductor device technologies driven by Moore’s Law, such as FinFET and 3D NAND, enable the brains and data storage for many of these products. However, what is perhaps equally important in today’s world where battery life and power consumption are ever more critical, are Power Devices, the heart of Power Electronics. Mainly comprised of discrete power MOSFETs, IGBTs, Thyristors, and Power Management ICs, Power Devices is a growing market and is expected to outpace the overall Semiconductor Device market by 3% (7% vs. 4% CAGR 2014-2020, Yole Development Power Electronics Report 2015). They are considered ‘More than Moore’ devices, not driven by technology node scaling, but by voltage & temperature handling and switching speed & efficiency. Generations of power devices have evolved through the last few decades, continuously optimizing structures and silicon properties. Performance has improved significantly. However, current schemes are running out of steam. Intrinsic Si material properties are now a roadblock for any further meaningful improvements. This talk will cover Power Device market trends, device evolution, and inflections & challenges.