At this year’s show in Munich, key power electronics topics include core components of a sustainable world, significantly higher efficiencies due to wide bandgap semiconductors and SiC frequency converters for electric vehicles.

Analysts from the Yole Group expect the global power electronics market to grow from $20.9 billion in 2022 to $33.3 billion by 2028, a CAGR of 8.1%. This growth will be driven by governmental regulations, the expansion of renewable energies and the demand for energy-efficient solutions.

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, but it reaches its limits when it comes to the operating frequencies and breakdown voltages it can achieve. As a result, GaN and SiC are of interest to designers. 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. The lengthier and more complex manufacturing processes required means that chips made from SiC and GaN are significantly more expensive than silicon counterparts, although manufacturers expect to reduce costs by switching to 300mm wafer technology. The choice between silicon, SiC and GaN ultimately depends on the specific requirements of the application, including power, switching frequency, temperature and cost.

SiC offers significant advantages for the power electronics of electric vehicles in particular because more efficient and compact drive and charging systems increase ranges and shorten charging times. SiC is therefore 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.

In co-operation with the Productronics Department of the VDMA (German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association) which is 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.

According to Spherical Insights, the industry segment holds the largest market share ( 24%) with power electronic devices and systems finding widespread use in motor drives, power supplies, robotics and process control. The growth in industrial automation is also an essential driver of the power electronic market. The industrial sector requires reliable and efficient power electronics to increase productivity, reduce energy consumption and optimise manufacturing processes.

Visitors will be able to see innovative test solutions from exhibitors Rohde & Schwarz, Viscom, Löhnert, CRS Prüftechnik and SPEA.

SEMICON Europa is once again taking place alongside productronica (14 to 17 November 2023 at Messe Munchen)