February 13, 2013
Jay Shah, Manager - Worldwide Marketing Operations, Keithley Instruments, Inc.
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Jay Shah, Manager - Worldwide Marketing Operations, Keithley Instruments, Inc.
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The growing demand for efficient energy production and
management means power semiconductors will become even more important in 2013.
As the volatility in fossil fuel prices increases, so does the focus on green
sources of energy like solar panels and wind turbines.
The demand for
efficiency management in motor drivers, lighting and power supplies is rising, which
in turn drives the use of power semiconductor devices.
The use of power semiconductor devices in the transportation
industry is expanding as well, with power control elements being applied in
hybrid and electric vehicles. Silicon carbide (SiC) power modules are used in
traction inverter systems to conserve energy in railcars by enhancing
regenerative braking performance and reducing power losses in motors.
T&M suppliers must help their customers meet the challenges
that come with researching (universities/labs) and building (fabs) power
devices. Consumers of power semiconductor devices, including automotive and
transportation companies, will also need T&M support.
Testing power semiconductor devices is increasingly challenging.
Such devices often are fabricated of materials with higher power density and
higher frequency response, like SiC and gallium nitride (GaN), which demand the
ability to measure lower leakage currents and lower ON resistances than silicon
devices.
Jay Shah, Manager - Worldwide Marketing Operations
Keithley Instruments, Inc.
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