Researchers at the University of Limerick (UL) have been awarded €346,600 in funding to develop a unique software tool suite that will support rapid innovation and ensure a competitive edge for power semiconductor companies based in Ireland.

Power management represents one of the fastest-growing semiconductor market segments expected to reach $45 billion worldwide by 2014*. The microelectronics industry accounts for €6 billion annual exports to the Irish economywith the Mid-West region, fast becoming a hub of expertise in the field.

Led by Senior Research Fellow, Dr Mark Halton, based at the Circuits & Systems Research Centre, UL, who explains the significance of the project; “With the drive to find lighter, greener and more cost-effective energy-efficient power supplies, power semiconductor companies need capability that will support rapid innovation and growth.”

“At UL, we are developing a unique software tool suite that will allow companies to design, test and validate new power supply designs faster and more reliably.”

“This will assist Irish and Irish-based companies in maintaining a competitive edge in highly-competitive global markets. Ultimately, it’s about doing this better and faster than the competition and in an industry which is an important provider of high-skilled and sustainable jobs in the Mid-West.”

Power semiconductor companies based in Ireland are performing strongly in export markets even through current recessionary times. Dr Halton added; “With the continuous move from analogue-controlled to digitally-controlled solutions there is a real risk that Irish industry could suffer from a lack of skillset and capability in this transition. This software tool suite aims to provide Irish power semiconductorcompanies with the expertise and capability in a software package to perform more efficient and more cost effective R&D prototyping, thereby delivering a faster route to technology-driven global markets.”

This research collaboration has been facilitated by a Commercialisation Fund award from Enterprise Ireland.