Introduction
As semiconductor technologies get smaller and
achieve higher density, power management
technology is tasked to support a wide range of
devices efficiently and safely.
The "electrification of everything," including
medical devices, automobiles, and industrial
equipment, along with the rapid evolution of
the data center driven by artificial intelligence
(AI), requires digital processing enabled
by microcontrollers, processors, and field-
programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The number
of systems that must be powered more efficiently
has grown exponentially, including 5G and
enterprise networking equipment, Internet of
Things (IoT) sensors, automotive applications, and
data center acceleration.
Modern applications require more tailored power
supplies with more voltage rails, cables, innovative
battery solutions, and even energy harvesting.
Microcontrollers at the edge require efficiency
and longevity so they can function unattended
for years. Batteries are ideal for remote sensing
devices but must eventually be recharged and
replaced. Intelligent power management can
prolong their life.
Processors and FPGAs are getting smaller, more
powerful, and more densely featured, which means
thermal management to dissipate heat goes hand
in hand with power management. Mix in real-
time requirements, and dynamic voltage scaling
becomes a paramount concern, as does load
transient response time, especially when running
at lower voltage with a high-current power supply.
These architectural shifts challenge power
management to be more creative and develop
solutions for multiple problems by becoming as
intelligent as the devices themselves.
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Power Management: Efficiently Powering Processors, FPGAs, and Microcontrollers
