Digitalization makes headway in spite of doubts

What are the main issues involved in power management, which has traditionally been an analog bastion? I shall discuss these from two angles—market and technology.

The power management IC market is due for a fall. iSuppli estimates that in the first two quarters of 2006 the industry has passed through a peak, and is poised for a softening, but the recovery will be quick. There are two micro indicators
foretelling this quick recovery. First, discrete semiconductor prices are firm or up. Second, lead time is rising.

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There seems to be a shift in the market, with no single killer application driving growth. In such a scenario a company can increase its revenue mainly at its competitor’s cost. Competition will become fiercer.

On the technology front, debate continues on whether aspects of power control should become digitized, and whether digitalization will improve power management. While the move towards digitalization is all about efficiency, some doubt that the move will result in efficiency.

DIGITAL DC/DC CONVERSION

While designers have pursued multiple forms of digital management and control of power for quite some time, I think a major milestone was achieved with designers learning how to economically make dc/dc converters using digital. Enough processing speed is available today to do digital dc/dc conversion at a price competitive with analog conversion. Companies such as TI, Primarion, and Silicon Labs have come out with such offerings, and more companies are said to be working on the product.

The Power Management Bus initiative, which is an industry effort to create an open standard communication format for future power converter products, is still at a rudimentary stage. Linear Technology, which is participating in this initiative, expects it to grow this year.

Designers are working to make the traditionally simple analog loop regulator into a mixed signal loop.

These developments show that notwithstanding some doubts, digitalization is making headway.

Yet another important trend in power management is the move toward the power operating system. This system, within a desktop or handheld device, would intelligently control the power. Such systems are said to be on the verge of entering the market.