In cooperation with the Productronics Department of the VDMA, this year’s Productronica event will address recent developments in the field of power electronics across a programme of lectures and live demonstrations in Hall B2 Stand 448.
Silicon carbide as a semiconductor material will also be in focus, as VDMA co-exhibitor Breuer-Motoren presents a SiC inverter power amplifier developed as a test platform for investigating the reliability, service life, EMC and efficiency of fast-switching SiC power semiconductors.
Power electronics have a vital role to play in the generation, distribution and use of electrical energy in nearly all branches of industry, where they contribute significantly to increasingly sustainable communities.
Power semiconductors are indispensable for a climate-neutral and digital society, and the manufacturing, renewable energies and automotive sectors, in particular, are driving a rising demand for these materials.
Analysts from the Yole Group expect the global power electronics market to grow from USD 20.9 billion (2022) to USD 33.3 billion by 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1 percent. They say governmental regulations, the expansion of renewable energies and the demand for energy-efficient solutions are driving the trend.
Power electronics for industry
According to Spherical Insights, industry currently holds a 24 percent share of the sector as power electronics devices and systems become ever more widespread in motor drives, power supplies, robotics and process control. The growth of industrial automation is also an important driver in the growth 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 optimize manufacturing processes. Every failure in the field can lead to enormous costs. Productronica exhibitors Rohde&Schwarz, Viscom, Löhnert, CRS Prüftechnik and SPEA will showcase solutions to 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 300-mm wafer technology.
The choice between silicon, silicon carbide and gallium nitride ultimately depends 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 addition to lectures and live demonstrations in Hall B2 Stand 448 covering the topic of power electronics, the Semiconductors Cluster of the event will see exhibitors show their latest innovations in these areas.
SEMICON Europa, which is once again taking place alongside productronica, is the world’s leading trade fair for development and manufacturing is expanding its offering in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.
