Market Trends of Europe Semiconductor Diode Industry
Small Signal Diode Holding Significant Market Growth
- The small-signal diode has a high switching speed with a fast recovery time. Many electronic systems use small signal diodes, which are AC (continuously changing) signals or pulses with amplitudes of a few volts, millivolts, or even microvolts. Radio, audio, video, and digital signals are employed in the household, industrial equipment, automobile, aeronautic, and musical systems.
- Further, small signal diodes are available in wire-ended and surface-mount (SMT) designs. They vary from rectifier diodes and have smaller junction areas, resulting in junction-less capacitance, making them more useful at higher frequencies. Small signal diodes with enormous speeds are often known as switching diodes. They are smaller and have lower maximum reverse voltage specifications than dedicated power rectifiers.
- For instance, in February 2022, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation launched DF2B6M4BSL, an ultra-low capacitance TVS diode for high-frequency antennas. The diode protects semiconductors and electronic elements from static electricity and noise while stopping signal deterioration.
- The rapid deployment of 5G networks, coupled with the increasing Internet of Things applications for devices, such as assisted driving and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication for smart transport, is expected to increase the demand for small signal diodes. According to Ericsson, the number of mobile 5G subscriptions in Western Europe reached 60.45 million in 2022 and is forecasted to reach 438.01 million by 2027.
- Furthermore, according to Ofcom, the smartphone penetration rate in the United Kingdom increased each year, reaching an overall figure of 93% in 2022. In the surveyed study, the methodology was adjusted starting from 2016 to better categorize respondents aged 55 and above. Notably, there has been a noticeable increase in the rate of cellphone ownership among this age group. Such expansion in electronics across the region may further propel demand in the studied market.
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Automotive Sector to Experience Significant Market Growth
- In automobiles, diodes are used to connect solenoids. When the B+ is turned off, the coil's magnetic area collapses, including the current flow in the coil. The current passes through the diode as the current is in the same direction as the diode arrow was earlier, blocking the B+. This current flow induced in the coil's electric field authorizes it to collapse.
- The ECM is protected from damage, and no spark is produced. As a significant semiconductor company manufacturer, NXP has developed a Programmable solenoid controller PT2000 which will be used in automotive (12 V), truck, and industrial (24 V) power trains. This system uses diodes for the device's smooth functioning and flexible procedure.
- Increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is also boosting the market growth of diodes. Different types of diodes are used in the manufacturing process of EVs.
- According to Federal Motor Transport Authority (German: Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA)), the number of the latest electric cars registered in Germany has grown significantly in recent years. In 2022, 470,559 new electric vehicles were registered, an increase from the previous year. The number of all-electric cars operating in Germany increased over the past decade. It soared to new heights recently when more than 300,000 battery electric vehicles were registered in Germany.
- Further, the battery is unplugged during the switching or powering of inductive loads in automobiles to avoid undesirable spikes or transients. If not addressed, these transients would be reproduced along the power line, inducing individual electronics and sensors to malfunction or permanently destroy the vehicle's electrical system, compromising overall reliability. As a result, TVS diodes are becoming more popular because they can protect sensitive electronics from transients caused by load dumps and other transient voltage occurrences.
- For instance, in April 2022, Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. announced its product lineup for PCIM Europe 2022, a trade fair and conference for power electronics, energy management, and intelligent drive technology. To increase power density and efficiency in automotive applications, Vishay showcased diodes, including AEC-Q101 qualified 60 V, 100 V, and 150 V TMBS Gen 3 rectifiers in the eSMP series and TO-247AD 3L packages and many others. The Vishay booth at PCIM also features several reference designs for automotive and industrial applications, including 48 V and 800 V battery safety switches, a 48 V / 12 V DC/DC converter capable of handling up to 3 kW, and an intelligent battery sensor for hybrid vehicle applications.
- Various players across the region are developing new products for automotive applications. For instance, Infineon Technologies AG and Robert Bosch GmbH have recently launched a unique ultra-low-loss diode called active rectifying diode for lightweight vehicle generators. It increases generator efficiency by up to 8% compared to conventional power conversion methods. It facilitates generators to qualify as eco-innovations as defined by the European Union. Deploying the new diode can reduce the CO2 emissions of a car by up to 1.8g/km. Since it can replace ordinary devices one-to-one, the active rectifying diode can easily be applied to generators and vehicles already in series production.
- Furthermore, the number of electronic car systems has increased significantly over time. Thus, in applications such as battery management, safety systems, lighting, and others, the need for protection to limit interference and potential defeats emerges, which may be avoided with zener diodes. As a result, the use of zener diodes in this business has increased significantly.
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