The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity in DC-DC converters is driven by the increasing electrification of vehicles, demand for higher efficiency and power density, reliability, and cost reduction. Wide bandgap semiconductors are being used to develop more efficient and compact converters, while new converter topologies and integration with other power electronics components are being developed. As the industry transitions to electric and hybrid vehicles, the demand for innovative converters is expected to grow. The automotive industry is embracing the latest technologies in DC-DC converters, including wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors, new converter topologies, digital control, and bidirectional converters. WBG semiconductors offer higher efficiency and power density, while new converter topologies improve performance and reliability. Digital control enhances accuracy and performance, while bidirectional converters are ideal for applications such as regenerative braking in electric vehicles (EVs) and connecting batteries and supercapacitors in parallel. As EVs become more widespread, more innovation is expected in this area. In the last three years alone, there have been over 720,000 patents filed and granted in the automotive industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Innovation in automotive: DC-DC converters. Buy the report here.
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However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
300+ innovations will shape the automotive industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the automotive industry using innovation intensity models built on over one million patents, there are 300+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage, multi-spark ignition, integrated multi-motor drivetrains and vehicle auxiliary drives are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Solar range extenders, turbocharger shaft bearings, and multi-lamellar clutches are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are auto-transmission lubrication circuits and electroluminscent vehicle displays, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for the automotive industry
DC-DC converters is a key innovation area in automotive
DC-DC converters are electronic circuits that convert a DC voltage level to another DC voltage level, typically lower or higher, with high efficiency. The conversion is accomplished using electronic switches and inductors or capacitors.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 200+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of DC-DC converters.
Key players in DC-DC converters – a disruptive innovation in the automotive industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to DC-DC converters
| Company | Total patents (2021 - 2023) | Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies |
| Huawei Investment & Holding | 44 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Qualcomm | 64 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Cirrus Logic | 95 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Sanken Electric | 109 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Texas Instruments | 305 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Power Integrations | 120 | Unlock Company Profile |
| MediaTek | 210 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Apple | 94 | Unlock Company Profile |
| MinebeaMitsumi | 103 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Alpha and Omega Semiconductor | 50 | Unlock Company Profile |
| NXP Semiconductors | 125 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Dell Technologies | 162 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Murata Manufacturing | 100 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Renesas Electronics | 264 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Hon Hai Precision Industry | 55 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Koninklijke Philips | 52 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Mitsubishi Electric | 55 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Panasonic | 72 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Delta Electronics | 133 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Canon | 161 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Samsung Electro-Mechanics | 84 | Unlock Company Profile |
| ON Semiconductor | 267 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Infineon Technologies | 200 | Unlock Company Profile |
| ROHM | 154 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Fuji Electric | 170 | Unlock Company Profile |
| LG | 69 | Unlock Company Profile |
| STMicroelectronics | 193 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Seiko Group | 55 | Unlock Company Profile |
| ASUSTeK Computer | 51 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Microchip Technology | 156 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Toshiba | 78 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Intel | 117 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Furukawa | 60 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Silergy | 71 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Intersil Americas | 83 | Unlock Company Profile |
| Samsung Group | 202 | Unlock Company Profile |
| On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) | 109 | Unlock Company Profile |
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Texas Instruments (TI) is one of the leading patent filers in DC-DC converters for the automotive industry. TI designs and manufactures various analog and digital integrated circuits, including DC-DC converters used in infotainment systems, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and electric powertrains. In January 2023, TI filed a patent for a crash-safe battery protection system for EVs. STMicroelectronics and Renesas Electronics are some other key patent filers in this space.
In terms of application diversity, STMicroelectronic leads the pack, while Texas Instruments and Renesas Electronics stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Wolfson Microelectronics held the top position, followed by EnSync and Microchip Technology.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Automotive.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
