Industry trends in power integrated circuits

The authors consider some of the recent trends in power integrated circuits. They discuss the novel processes and device configurations which the semiconductor industry is developing to meet the needs of customers. Also included is a qualitative look at the design tradeoffs which influence the choice of technology for a particular application. The movement toward high-performance and higher-density circuitry, which demands smaller geometries and sophisticated processing, is also discussed. Particular attention is given to smart power (smart discrete devices and integrated circuits), multiple-output technology, high-voltage junction isolation, and high-voltage dielectric isolation.<>