Power electronics technology at the dawn of the new millenium-status and future

The paper examines the status of power electronics technology by looking at eight constituent technologies (power switch technology, passive components, power switching network technology, packaging technology, environmental impact technology, cooling technology, manufacturing technology, and converter control technology). The present trends are then discussed from the point of view of some of these that can be considered internal drivers, as well as from the viewpoint of those that are external drivers. Packaging as a central driver is evaluated and the necessity for a paradigm shift in power electronics technology identified. Future possibilities in terms of electromagnetic integration of passives and of integrated power electronic modules (IPEMs) are discussed.