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Trends in the miniaturization of electronic products, especially in the portable products area has sparked considerable interest in the miniaturization of the energy processing electronics i.e. the power conversion circuits such as the switch mode power supply (SMPS). Unlike digital electronics, which have benefited from miniaturization and integration in microelectronics, power conversion electronics have not significantly reduced in size. This is directly due to the fact that power conversion requires energy storage components such as inductors and capacitors. In order to miniaturise the power converter components these component must be miniaturized and integrated. Traditionally the inductive components have been difficult to integrate on chip. A large part of the work done in the group focuses on the development of technology for the integration of magnetic components on to Silicon with a view towards the single chip power supply or PSOC (power supply on chip).
The groups research activities encompass elements of:
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