Microcontrollers for real-time applications, tire-pressure sensors and combined functions within a system
Semiconductors have become an integral part of modern vehicles: the chips produced by the automotive electronics segment control a variety of the vehicle's functions ranging from the air-conditioning system and seating adjustment to the ABS and airbags, right through to the motor and transmission system. On average there are about 250 eurosworth of semiconductors in every car produced today, and this quantity is increasing steadily.
The industrial electronics segment is responsible for power-supply equipment as well as electric engines - on a small, as well as on a large scale. High performance electronics in transformation substations, in high-speed trains, wind-energy plants and industrial power drives, for example, ensure that high power is reliably controlled. Semiconductors also regulate the power supply to motherboards in PCs and notebooks as well as in battery chargers for mobile equipment.
Business situation
The market for automotive semiconductors is the most stable segment in the entire semiconductor industry. This is partly due to - comparatively - low fluctuation in automobile production, and partly to the constant advances being made in electronic equipment for vehicles. This means that in the automotive electronics segment there is a relatively high degree of planning certainty - with long product cycles and a well-established customer base. Products must, however, conform to the very highest quality standards, since our customers expect zero defects (0 parts per million, ppm).
The two most important segments in the industrial field - drive control of electric motors and power supply for PCs, notebooks, and battery chargers for mobile equipment - are typically driven by the need to minimize power losses and reduce the size of the casing. Achievement of these requirements depends on the architecture of chip components.
Strategic orientation
In the automotive sector, Infineon offers a comprehensive product portfolio and system expertise that is based on years of experience in this area. Infineon is active in all three fields of classic control loops: sensor-assisted measuring, data processing using microcontrollers, and actuating by means of high-performance electronics. This means the three most important fields of application - power trains, safety, and body & convenience - are all particularly well catered for. The golden rule is: absolutely flawless deliveries or 0 ppm - which means of the billions of components supplied, no defects can be tolerated. This objective has already been achieved with the majority of our products.
In the field of high performance semiconductors in the industrial electronics segment we have set ourselves the task of minimizing power losses. The result is higher power density and smaller modules as well as a reduction in heat generation. Power supplies used in PCs, notebooks and other consumer electronics devices are thus one of our focal areas of interest.
Another important focus is on PC microprocessor power supply. Depending on the operating state of the microprocessor, more or less current needs to be controlled. Here, voltage regulators have to ensure that the voltage is maintained at exactly the required level while minimizing power loss.
Drive control can be divided into two sub-segments: one is high voltage applications such as railway locomotives, underground trains, and automation, the other is consumer applications equipment such as washing machines, dishwashers and air-conditioning systems.