19
We have seen a trend in power circuits becoming smaller, but not all of the associated
components have been shrinking at the same rate. Capacitors and switching
semiconductors have been shrinking fast, but inductors have not been shrinking as fast
as other components. One breakthrough that would have a big impact on any power
application is a dramatic reduction in the size of inductors.
Another trend that affects power distribution network (PDN) design is moving power
sources closer to the load and putting switching DC-DC converters on the silicon. That
trend is likely to continue, and thinking ahead, if all the key elements of power distribution
eventually migrate into the packages, engineers will not have to worry so much about
PDN design on the printed circuit boards. As long as you can carry raw, unregulated
power to the device, that will be OK.
'' Thinking ahead,
if all the key
elements of
power distribution
eventually migrate
into the packages,
engineers will
not have to worry
so much about
PDN design on
the printed circuit
boards."
