How much do YOU know about MOSFETS? Probably not much, to be fair, unless you have an unusually detailed knowledge of semiconductors. But these three-terminal semiconductor components are pretty ubiquitous, given their use as voltage converters for any and all electronic devices.
They’re used for amplifying or switching electronic signals, and can be broken down (very generally) into high- and low-voltage segments with high-voltage MOSFETS operating above 200 volts and low-voltage ones operating below 150 volts.
The High-Voltage MOSFET Market in growing at a CAGR of 7.5 percent from 2013-2018, with the Low-Voltage Market right on its heels, with a 6.6 percent CAGR over the same period.
To the untrained eye, these markets must seem quite similar, but they’re actually subject to very different factors driving growth.
High-Voltage MOSFET Market Drivers
Use in Electric Vehicles
High voltage MOSFETS are becoming one of the most important components of electric vehicles, because EVs derive power for propelling the vehicle from a charged battery that involves high-voltage amplification and switching.
Since high-voltage MOSFETs are capable of delivering the above-mentioned functionalities in the system along with high performance, reliability, and durability, electric vehicle manufacturers attach high significance to MOSFETs.
High-Capacity Networks
Network service providers are constantly having to increase infrastructure capacity as a result of global increases in traffic. Networking requires high switching speeds and low noise in the system, which mean that high-voltage MOSFETS are the networking industry’s best friend.
Industrial Applications
The need for robust systems in the industrial sector has been increasing because of the increasing use of electronic devices and the proliferation of advanced technologies. For instance, M2M technology—which operates at a high voltage—requires advanced electronic systems, high durability and performance to work optimally.
Not to mention, equipment like motors, drives, and control systems used in industrial applications need electronic systems to support seamless operations. High-voltage MOSFETs tend to provide high input impedance and low thermal runaway, increasing the durability of the systems.
Low-Voltage MOSFET Market Drivers
Use in Portable Electronic Devices
To answer consumer demand for longer battery life, portable device manufacturers have been focusing on increasing the power efficiency of the devices by integrating effective electronic components into them. Low-voltage MOSFETS are key to better battery life, and power management in portable devices.
Adoption of Solid State Drives (SSDs)
SSDs are taking over from tradition hard disk drives, and can you guess what’s the source of amplification in these drives? Low-voltage MOSFETS (see, they really are everywhere)! As SSDs continue to edge out HDDs, low-voltage MOSFETS will see more and more demand.
Increasing Applications Across All Sectors
These guys are seeing more and more uses across a range of industries and sectors. Just a few areas where low-voltage MOSFETS are expected to take off are home appliances, mobile POS terminals, mobile handsets, automotive infotainment, TVs, and smart appliances.
In the grand scheme of semiconductor components, both high- and low-voltage MOSFETS offer major technical advantages. They are capable of delivering seamless performance when integrated into any electronic device. They are small, quiet and have a negligible thermal runaway. All these characteristics have led to the increased adoption of MOSFETs in many end-user segments.
