RON HUEMOELLER, President & CEO, Saras Micro Devices
The semiconductor industry is poised for significant growth in the power management devices segment, driven by the growing need for higher energy density and efficiency, resulting from the escalating demand for renewable energy sources, automotive electrification, increased energy density and high-performance computing solutions. Power management devices, which include voltage regulators and power converters, are critical components that ensure optimal energy consumption and performance in the most advanced electronic systems, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. As technology advances, the demand for smaller, faster, and more efficient electronic systems has only intensified, pushing the needs for these components, which are critical for effective power delivery and signal integrity, to the forefront.
High-density capacitors are essential for smoothing voltage fluctuations and are particularly important in applications where the delivery of stable and consistent power is critical. Capacitor components that can be embedded within the IC package substrate offer significant advantages. Embedded passive solutions allow manufacturers to achieve compact designs without compromising performance. In the context of the rapid switching speeds seen in modern processors and digital systems, high-density capacitors help to ensure that voltage levels remain within acceptable ranges, thereby preventing performance losses and improving overall system reliability. Embedded capacitors enable higher capacitance values in smaller footprints and enable vertical power delivery, making them ideal for applications in data servers, high performance computing systems and increasingly complex automotive systems.
Voltage regulation, on the other hand, is essential for maintaining consistent output levels despite fluctuations in input voltage under varying load conditions. Voltage regulators ensure that semiconductor devices receive the appropriate voltage required for optimal performance. This is particularly important for the GPU, CPU, FPGA and accelerator engines powering the leading AI solutions, both in the data center and at the edge, where even minor voltage variations can lead to performance degradation or system failure. The evolution of voltage regulation technologies, such as the vertical integration of digital control mechanisms, allow for more precise regulation, improved efficiency, and enhanced adaptability to varying loads. As the semiconductor industry continues to embrace more complex architectures, the need for sophisticated voltage regulation solutions becomes increasingly pronounced.
Looking forward to 2025, I expect to see increased demand for high-density capacitors and voltage regulation devices to facilitate the development of compact, efficient, and reliable electronic systems. The industry’s demand for higher performance and energy-efficient solutions make these key enablers of technological advancement in an increasingly electrified world. Here at Saras we are ready to help the industry meet the demand. We are confident that our embedded capacitor and voltage regulation capabilities will enable the next generation of power management and delivery architectures the industry requires.
Click here to read the 2025 Executive Viewpoints in Semiconductor Digest
