Power Integrations, Inc. is an American semiconductor company headquartered in San Jose, California. It develops integrated circuits that convert and control electricity in electronic equipment. Less visible than processor manufacturers, it performs an essential function: providing each device with a suitable, compact and efficient power supply. Its corporate website is power.com.
A specialization built since 1988
Founded in 1988, Power Integrations has specialized in high-voltage integrated circuits for power conversion. Its approach involves combining several functions in a single component to simplify power supply design and reduce the number of parts required. The company is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol POWI.
Its development has accompanied the widespread adoption of switch-mode power supplies, which convert electricity from the grid into voltages compatible with devices. It has gradually expanded its portfolio, from small electronic power supplies to control devices for larger power systems. It operates without its own wafer fabrication facilities, relying on industrial partners.
From compact power supplies to industrial systems
Power Integrations’ products are used notably to convert alternating current into direct current. Its circuit families, including InnoSwitch, LinkSwitch and TinySwitch, address different power, cost and integration requirements. They are found in applications such as chargers, AC adapters, household appliances, LED lighting and industrial equipment. Their value is measured notably by electrical efficiency, standby power consumption and power supply size.
The company also develops components using gallium nitride, marketed under the PowiGaN brand. This material can help reduce switching losses and enable more compact power supplies than some solutions based solely on silicon. However, the ultimate benefit depends on the overall system architecture, its thermal management and its operating conditions.
Another area of its business is gate drivers, notably under the SCALE brand. These circuits control power transistors, including IGBTs and silicon carbide components. They meet the needs of applications such as industrial drives, renewable energy and electric traction.
What next?
The pursuit of energy efficiency and the electrification of many applications are driving demand for Power Integrations. Its challenge is to turn advances in materials and integration into tangible gains for designers: lower losses, fewer components and simpler development.
This trajectory remains subject to semiconductor market cycles, competition and customers’ economic trade-offs. The adoption of gallium nitride offers an opportunity for growth, without eliminating the cost, reliability and availability requirements that determine the choice of a power supply.