Happy Monday, everyone.
Whether used for circuit protection in data centers, power management in IoT devices, or control loops in robotics, current sensing is key to maximizing not only the performance but also the safety and reliability of a system. But implementing it requires innovations in everything from isolated analog-to-digital converters such as TI’s latest to signal-conditioning op amps such as Rohm’s latest—both of which are covered in today’s issue.
Meanwhile, Schaeffler is highlighting the potential of SiC MOSFETs in a new power brick, a core building block of EV traction inverters. Despite tough market conditions in the U.S., SiC remains all the rage for EVs thanks to its efficiency and reliability in handling high-voltage batteries, particularly 800-V architectures. BYD in China is pushing the envelope even further with plans to adopt a 1000-V battery pack, which I've also highlighted below.
Hyperscalers are keeping a close eye on innovations in EV power electronics, current sensing, and electrical isolation. Google, for instance, is looking to leverage these components to enable higher power densities in its data centers. The company is upgrading to a 400-V DC bus for distributing power within its server racks, and it plans to tap the EV supply chain to "for greater economies of scale, more efficient manufacturing, and improved quality and scale."
-James Morra, Senior Editor
