to use 12 V buses and even 48 V buses to deliver power to individual boards and subsystems. Power electronics is answering a new challenge for the development of extremely dynamic, low-voltage applications such as high performance microprocessor computer systems. These devices demand tight regulation of extremely low voltage outputs (now reaching below 2 V) as well as very fast response to large load transitions. Applications such as this which demand high power density, low power consumption, high efficiency, and innovative packaging are inspiring new technologies including synchronous rectification, polyphase interleaving, on-board power conversion, GaAs semiconductor devices, and board-level interconnect modeling. In the next few years, we will begin to see a further advance to chip-level interconnects and power conversion.Power Electronics in Automobiles Another nearly universal power electronics application is the automobile's ignition system. Thousands of volts are required to ignite the fuel-air mixture inside a cylinder so that internal combustion can occur. Today's cars employ all-electronic ignition systems, which have replaced the traditional spark plugs with boost converters coupled to transformers. A third example, now being used in some models, is an all-electronic power steering system. This system uses power electronics to control electric motors and assist in moving the steering rack. This system is replacing the traditional, belt-driven hydraulic pump. The results are improved steering response, lower energy consumption, and the elimination of noisy belt drives. Electric air conditioning systems are starting to appear as well. The high-intensity lamps now appearing in headlights, and the bright LEDs appearing in taillights all require power electronics to deliver electrical energy in the correct form. Power electronics is a major growth area within the automotive industry. Electronic ignitions, power ...
