Chairman of National Semiconductor: Business opportunities in the field of energy conservation are expanding
What kind of market opportunities will semiconductor manufacturers bring to the global scale? The author interviewed Brian L. Halla, Chairman and CEO of National Semiconductor, who came to Japan for the keynote speech at the "Green Device 2009" exhibition. He said that if the analog IC can be fully utilized, energy-related equipment such as solar cells, LEDs and batteries can be "intelligent". It shows that the company will develop the role of analog IC business opportunities in all areas of energy creation, energy conservation and energy storage.
At present, the world has consistently adopted energy conservation measures. What kind of business opportunities will this bring to analog IC vendors?
In the field of energy conservation, business opportunities are expanding for all semiconductor manufacturers. This is because if the semiconductor can be fully utilized, the energy efficiency of various devices and systems can be improved. Our equipment in this area, including solar cells, LEDs and batteries. These devices should be integrated with electronic technologies to improve energy efficiency. This is the value we hope to provide as an analog IC manufacturer.
Solar cells and LEDs are still difficult to call "intelligent." In terms of solar cells, if it is cloudy or the panel is aging, the output power will drop significantly. In terms of LEDs, there is still a bright spot in places where no one and cars are passing. If you change these to more intelligent devices, you can reduce unnecessary energy consumption. We will provide this experience through analog ICs.
For solar cell applications, the analog IC module "SolarMagic" for optimal control of panel output power has been put into production.
SolarMagic is a product made with a booster circuit for converters. It can be said that it is the first attempt to fully integrate solar cells with electronic technology. In the past solar cells, panel aging and characteristic errors caused the output power to drop, and the potential output power of the panel was less than 50% as the power output. SolarMagic eliminates this problem, which can reduce the panel price per unit of power generation and shorten the Payback Time.
What kind of products will be introduced in the future for LED and battery applications?
In terms of LED usage, we are working hard to develop a dimming circuit that controls the optical output power. In the future, LEDs are required to have a function of switching between ambient light and temperature, and communication between a plurality of LEDs, and sequentially lighting up when a person and a car approach each other. These functions are easier to implement if they use analog ICs.
For battery applications, we are working on a technology called Active Cell Balancing. This technology can improve energy efficiency when charging and discharging batteries. For example, the technology introduces a mechanism to suppress the occurrence of power loss caused by overcharging of a specific battery cell during charging by means of a capacity error between battery cells. In the future, if the electrification of automobiles is fully realized, the technology will exert its power in terms of the life of the vehicle battery and the extension of the driving distance.
Are there opportunities for solar cells, LEDs, and batteries in the Japanese market that dominates these areas?
We are full of expectations for the Japanese market. This is because, in the field of energy conservation, Japanese manufacturers have mastered the dominance. There are Sharp, Kyocera and Sanyo motors for solar cells. In terms of batteries, Panasonic and Sanyo have advantages. In terms of automobiles, there are Toyota cars that are one step ahead in the hybridization and electrification trend. Japan has no reason not to continue to dominate in this field.
Are Japanese manufacturers active in adopting your company's energy equipment products?
Unfortunately, this is not the case. For example, in the adoption of SolarMagic, Suntech Power Holdings is more active than Japanese manufacturers. Not only that, I feel that Japanese manufacturers tend to be cautious in adopting new technologies. What I am worried about is that this negative attitude will cause Japanese manufacturers to catch up with China and India in the field of energy equipment led by solar cells.
I pay tribute to the Japanese companies that have led the world in creating ideas. I hope that Japanese manufacturers will still occupy a leading position in creativity in the future. "Japanese manufacturers, please start the intelligence of energy equipment as soon as possible. There are emerging market countries behind the ammonia. Just to convey this information, I accepted the invitation.
Brian L. Halla, Chairman and CEO, National Semiconductor
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