The global Intelligent Power Module (IPM) market is expected to experience considerable growth during the forecast period due to the increasing demand of compact system design, which helps in reducing the overall electronic system size. The compact design of intelligent power modules leads to reduction in number of components that must be purchased, stored and assembled.
Intelligent power modules are advanced hybrid power devices that combine high-speed & low-loss IGBTs, diode power devices with integrated gate drives, and protection circuits in single housing. The demand for these IPMs is growing primarily because of the many benefits offered by power electronics technology in motor control applications. The IPM's integrated over temperature and under voltage lock out protection is used further for the enhancement of the system dependability. IPM was designed to provide several advantages to customers by reducing design and manufacturing costs. It also provides improvement in system performance and reliability over conventional IGBTs. The capability of IPMs to increase system reliability by providing an enhanced level of monitoring is driving the demand for intelligent power modules. Moreover, factors like enhancement of power infrastructure, growing focus towards renewable power sources, and high growth potential of electric vehicles are laying growth opportunities for this market.
Based on voltage rating, intelligent power modules with a voltage rating of up to 600V hold the largest share of the global intelligent power module market. The IPMs with a voltage rating above 1,200V is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. The market for high-voltage IPMs is projected to grow due to their wide use in the industrial applications such as traction and renewable energy.
Based on power device, the highest growth during the forecast is expected from IGBT-based intelligent power module. IGBT-based IPMs combine the advantages of the low-loss and high-speed IGBTs, with protection and optimized gate drive circuitries. These IPMs continuously monitor the power device current by using IGBT chips with advanced current sensing capabilities.
Based on vertical, consumer vertical is expected to be the largest market for IPMs during 2016-2022. The growth of IPMs in consumer vertical is due to an increasing demand of consumer electronics products and energy efficient systems. The IPMs market for the industrial vertical is expected to grow at a high rate during forecast period due to the increasing adoption of electric vehicles, combined with the global drive toward the development of renewable energy sources and energy efficient products.
The slow adoption of new technologies and design-related challenges associated with SiC-based intelligent power modules may restrain the development of intelligent power modules market to some extent during the forecast period. The adoption of new trends and technologies in intelligent power modules is important for the fast growth of the IPM market.
Geographically, Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest market of intelligent power modules. The market in APAC is expected to grow due to its increasing demand in consumer goods, upcoming investment projects in manufacturing and demand of energy efficient systems, especially in Japan and other countries. Cost advantages and initiatives to boost domestic manufacturing by different countries such as India and China in this region are expected to provide further growth of IPMs.
The key players in the intelligent power module market are Fairchild Semiconductor International Inc., Fuji Electric Co. Ltd., Future Electronics Inc., Infineon Technologies AG, Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Powerex Inc., ON Semiconductor, ROHM Semiconductor, Sanken Electric Co. Ltd., Semikron and STMicroelectronics.
