Exploring the important role of analog technologies (translation of an article from the Texas Instruments blog)

Hello!

As part of training my English, I decided to take interesting English-language articles about technology and management in the industry and translate them for my readers.

This article is about the philosophy and approach to building a business of analog electronic components of Texas Instruments. Who will find this article useful? First of all, for manufacturers of electronic components in our country. I work at a company where import substitution is taken very seriously, and as a developer, I often have difficulties using the Russian component base. Finding a datasheet for a component with a description of the functions and algorithm of the microcircuit operation that I understand (elementary truth table for digital components) is sometimes simply impossible, only TU, where there is no information I need and they can also only be found through special software TechExpert. Many websites of Russian manufacturers of electronic components also need a serious redesign to be convenient and informative first of all for developers, and secondly for buyers. And there are also situations when the waiting period for an order can reach 500 days, I will probably refrain from commenting on this point. Let's get acquainted with a short interview from the vice president of the analog technologies division of Texas Instruments, to adopt their many years of experience in this matter.

This is my, partly free translation for a more understandable and comfortable reading; you can read the original here https://news.ti.com/exploring-the-essential-role-of-analog-technology?HQS=null-null-catan-catan_gen-bhp-blog-null-wwe.

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Exploring the critical role of analogue technologies.

The head of our Analog Signal Circuits division talks about how general-purpose analog ICs are key to electronic design.

Analog is everywhere. In the world of electronics, analog technology enables applications to operate in the real world by converting voltage levels, sensing or accurately measuring or processing environmental signals. Analog chips are essential components in every electronic system, from miniature hearing aids to the power supply for data centers.

These important analog semiconductors, sometimes called basic or general-purpose integrated circuits, make up the majority of chips used in electronic systems. Amplifiers, data converters, logic devices, and switching regulators may not be the most advanced components on a board, but they are essential to system function and help enable the electronics innovations we experience today.

As electrification continues to accelerate, research firm Omidia reports that the general-purpose analog IC market will continue to grow and exceed $40 billion by 2027.

Let's tell you a little more about our analog semiconductors.

Akop Kazanian, Senior Vice President of the Analog Signal Chain Business Unit and a member of our corporation, recently discussed the factors driving the expansion of general-purpose analog products and our continued investment in these mission-critical products.

Question: Why are general purpose analog products so important to system design?

A: We hear a lot about the importance of having a wide range of general-purpose analog products that are ready for production and meet system requirements. For example, it is not uncommon for an automotive manufacturer to require hundreds of different general-purpose analog ICs for an EV, sometimes exceeding 90% of all the ICs in an electronic system. Our engineering team works across more than 20 functional categories in power management, signal chains, and logic to develop analog products that are optimized for the right trade-offs in cost, performance, power, and precision that customers and their designs require. Rapid access to these types of chips greatly accelerates the time to market for existing designs and provides greater flexibility and scalability for future designs. It is important that they understand that all of the analog products will work together and meet the system requirements of their designs.

Question: What are the first things engineers look for when selecting general-purpose analog products?

Answer: General-purpose analog products are designed to combine features such as reliability and performance for a variety of different systems. However, I often see five key decisions for companies that build these products.

Availability: Throughout the design process, designers focus primarily on accessibility and reliability of supply. Immediate access to our full range of general purpose analog ICs gives them confidence in their supply chain. We provide the opportunity to view products in real time on our website TI.cominstant order management tools and an API to link their own order management systems directly to ours.

Price: Engineers want to build more affordable electronics using analog products that are optimized for size, cost, and performance. Our goal is to provide reliable general-purpose analog products at an affordable price, and we regularly monitor prices to stay competitive, although we already have the low-cost advantage of our 300mm in-house fabrication capabilities (I can't say what that means, maybe the wafer size for the chips).

Standard Analog Packages: Designers need a broad range of package options, including standard pin-to-pin surface mount packages, small outline no-lead (SON), small outline transistor (SOT), or thin-shrink small outline package (TSSOP), to implement a variety of design solutions. We offer the broadest range of industry-standard packages. And we offer innovative package types, such as our HotRod package, to address challenges such as size, reliability, and thermal performance requirements.

Durability and Reliability: Ultimately, developers want to know that they have access to quality, reliable products. We continue to invest in intellectual property and manufacturing capabilities, leveraging technologies that enable transistor-on-chip sizes from 45 nm to 130 nm to create general-purpose analog products. In fact, owning and operating our own wafer manufacturing, packaging, assembly and testing, and convenient logistics across the globe allows our company to control the supply chain to reliably provide analog products for decades to come.

Documentation and Resources: Development with analog products should be as easy as possible with good resources. Our analog product experts are constantly working on resources so that companies can quickly prototype their designs using advanced models and simulations.

By combining thousands of technical documents, available blueprints and ready-made solutions, we aim to help speed time to market.

Question: What role will Texas Instruments play in the future of general purpose analog products?

A: Over two decades, we have expanded our extensive analog product line to include thousands of general-purpose ICs in the power, signal, and logic areas. Our R&D experts and investments enable us to introduce hundreds of new products each year. Additionally, our ability to scale quickly with alternative and secondary analog products helps us minimize supply chain disruptions. Analog products will continue to be essential in helping engineers innovate and electrify their products for many years to come.