Episodes
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Today’s discussion is on one of the most important transformations happening in the automotive industry: the shift from traditional 12-volt electrical systems to modern 48-volt architectures. For decades, 12V has been the backbone of vehicle electronics, but with the rise of electrification, ADAS, infotainment, and software-defined cars, the industry is moving toward more powerful and efficient solutions.
To help us explore this exciting transition, I’m pleased to introduce our guest, Madison Ecklund, Systems Manager in the Automotive Body Electronics and Lighting Systems team at Texas Instruments. Madison brings deep expertise in automotive power management and system design, and is responsible for Zone Control Modules and Power Distribution Boxes. She holds an Electrical Engineering degree from Vanderbilt University. She has experience in EMI/EMC compliance, 48V low voltage architectures, and automotive ethernet in-vehicle network evolution.
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Robotics is moving quickly — from drones that deliver packages to humanoids and cobots designed to work safely alongside people. The design of systems is getting more complicated because each type of robot has its own needs for power, safety, and efficiency. We talk to Hirohisa Hori, Senior Manager, Power System Marketing at Renesas Electronics about how these problems are being solved. We look at the different ways that robots charge and use batteries, the difference between 48V and 400V motor drives, and why functional safety is becoming more important even outside of cars. We also look at the evolving landscape of communication protocols inside and outside robots, and why GaN technology is starting to play a central role in next-generation motor control.
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As electrification expands across sectors like solar energy, electric vehicles, and smart grids, the focus is shifting toward architectures that are more efficient, more compact, and more intelligent. Trends like fewer conversion stages, higher voltage buses, and bidirectional energy flow are reshaping the design landscape. In this conversation, we speak with Marco Ruggeri, Senior Manager of the Power System Architecture Team and Pietro Scalia, the Head of System Application and Marketing for Power , both of Renesas Electronics. They share insights into Renesas’ single-stage, bidirectional GaN-based microinverter and how it could redefine the future of energy conversion and distributed power systems.
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The demand for greater efficiency, density, and reliability in power delivery is driving semiconductor innovation as artificial intelligence reshapes data centers. Renesas Electronics is leveraging its expertise and expanding GaN portfolio to adapt to these changes. In this podcast, Pietro Scalia, Senior Director of Power System Marketing and Architecture at Renesas, discusses the move to AI-optimized infrastructure, the critical role of GaN in data centers and high-reliability environments, and the requirements for broader adoption across automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. We also touch on important architectural decisions and dependability.
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Welcome to today’s podcast, where we explore the dynamic world of Industrial MCUs with Marijana Vukicevic, Marketing Director for Industrial MCU at Infineon.
Today’s episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Infineon.
Today, it’s a pleasure to have a special guest, Marijana Vukicevic, joining us to discuss the evolving role of microcontrollers (MCUs) in high-performance motor control and power conversion applications.
As industries shift from analog to digital power systems, MCUs are at the heart of enabling higher efficiency, faster switching, and real-time processing—critical for applications like robotics, industrial automation, and high-density power supplies for data centers. With switching frequencies increasing from 200 kHz to 600 kHz and beyond, the demand for ultra-fast, well-architected microcontrollers is greater than ever.
In this episode, we’ll explore how Infineon’s MCUs are addressing these challenges, particularly in robotics and AI-powered motor control. We’ll also dive into the role of GaN-based power systems, the increasing power demands of server racks, and what the future of MCU architecture looks like for next-generation embedded systems.
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In today’s episode of PowerUp, we’re joined by Donald Wright, VP of engineering at Unico, a provider of advanced testing solutions for EV propulsion systems. With extensive experience in EV battery development, testing, and certification, Wright shares insights into the evolving landscape of the EV battery industry. We explore topics such as battery-swapping solutions, the role of testing in battery development, and industry trends for the future of electrification.
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Today, we are focusing on a key challenge in modern power design: delivering higher efficiency, reduced EMI, and advanced thermal management while minimizing size and complexity. Our speaker is Anton Winkler, a systems engineer and power modules technologist at Texas Instruments, who drives the development of new processes and technologies for power modules. During this podcast, we will discuss TI’s MagPack technology, which integrates magnetic packaging to deliver good power density, reduced EMI and improved thermal performance.
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Diamond is emerging as a game-changer in power electronics and quantum technology thanks to its exceptional properties like high thermal conductivity, breakdown voltage and drift velocity. In this episode, Adam Khan, CEO of Diamond Quanta, discusses the company's innovative co-doping approach that enhances charge transport and mobility in diamond. Khan also highlights significant cost reductions in lab-grown diamond production and anticipates increased industry investment and government funding to further develop diamond technologies.
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In today's PowerUp episode, we discuss silicon photonics and silicon carbide innovations with Christophe Maleville, CTO and senior executive VP of innovation at Soitec. Discover how these advancements enhance EV efficiency, reduce environmental impact and integrate cutting-edge optical functions with electronic circuits for high-speed data communications. With a Ph.D. in microelectronics from Grenoble Institute of Technology and an executive MBA from INSEAD, Maleville has authored or co-authored more than 30 papers and holds 30 patents.
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In today's PowerUp episode, we discuss silicon photonics and silicon carbide innovations with Christophe Maleville, CTO and senior executive VP of innovation at Soitec. Discover how these advancements enhance EV efficiency, reduce environmental impact and integrate cutting-edge optical functions with electronic circuits for high-speed data communications. With a Ph.D. in microelectronics from Grenoble Institute of Technology and an executive MBA from INSEAD, Maleville has authored or co-authored more than 30 papers and holds 30 patents.
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Today, we are exploring Mears Silicon Technology (MST), Atomera’s innovative solution for improving the performance and efficiency of silicon-based devices. MST has the potential to transform power electronics, telecommunications and advanced computing by enhancing mobility, reducing leakage and boosting reliability—all while being compatible with existing manufacturing techniques. Our guest is Shawn Thomas, head of advanced logic nodes and power business at Atomera, and we will discuss how MST is enabling new possibilities in semiconductor design and manufacturing.
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In our latest episode of PowerUP, we had the pleasure of speaking with Maury Wood, VP of strategic marketing at Vicor. We delve into the cutting-edge solutions that are helping to mitigate the enormous energy demands of generative AI (GenAI). Maury shares insights into the staggering power requirements of large language models and the limitations of traditional power supply architectures.
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In this episode of PowerUP, Joseph Notaro, VP of global sales and marketing at Dukosi, talks about the company’s chip-on-cell technology as a solution for battery-cell monitoring.
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In this episode of PowerUp, Jason Dubin, VP of Executive Search at SBT, discusses the semiconductor industry's evolving landscape, emphasizing power management integrated circuits (PMICs), wide-bandgap semiconductors and the critical need for specialized talent.
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In this episode, we welcome Ivo Marocco, Vice President at Renesas, who leads the global Business Development, Systems, and Solution Marketing team for the Power Business Unit. We delve into Renesas's strategic growth and technological advancements, highlighting their expansion from automotive microcontrollers to power products. The discussion covers organizational restructuring, investments in silicon carbide (SiC), contributions to data infrastructure, AI, and the EV market, proactive measures for SiC supply stability, and the impact of key acquisitions on power technology.
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Integrating precise current sensing into wide-bandgap (WBG) power converters faces challenges due to space constraints, high sensing speeds and electromagnetic interference (EMI). In this podcast with Ali Parsa Sirat and Babak Parkhideh, from the Photovoltaic Integration Lab at UNC Charlotte, we explore the limitations and new methods to enhance sensor performance in WBG converters.
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In this podcast with Tim McDonald, senior consulting advisor for Infineon Technologies’ CoolGaN program, we delve into power electronics and their critical role in achieving net-zero emissions.
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In this podcast, Nexperia’s Sebastian Fahlbusch, manager of the Power Product Application Competence Center, and Dilder Chowdhury, director of strategic marketing for power GaN technology, explore advancements in wide-bandgap technologies. They discuss the advantages of SiC MOSFETs and the benefits of GaN in industrial applications, as well as the main features of CCPAK packaging. They also mentioned a partnership with Mitsubishi to develop innovative power semiconductor solutions.
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In this episode, top semiconductor companies at APEC 2024 delve into the world of wide-bandgap power devices.
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Gallium nitride (GaN) technology is revolutionizing diverse applications, from LiDAR systems to motor control. LiDAR employs pulsed lasers for precise distance measurement, generating detailed 3D images. In this episode of PowerUP featuring Alex Lidow, CEO of EPC, we delve into an examination of the revolutionary implications of GaN technology across a range of applications, with a specific focus on motor control and LiDAR systems. We investigate its function in LiDAR, where GaN-based FETs function as efficient laser-switching drivers. We also discover how GaN transistors enhance the efficacy and efficiency of motor control components, such as those found in e-bikes.
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