The Expanding Role Of Power Electronics In Critical Sectors
By John Oncea, Editor
As power electronics advance, they are reshaping vehicles, defense platforms, and communications networks, driving efficiency and innovation into the future.
Power electronics, the technology behind the efficient control and conversion of electrical power, is a foundational technology driving rapid evolution in multiple industries. As the world transitions toward electrification, automation, and ubiquitous connectivity, the significance of power electronics in automotive, defense, and communications sectors has never been greater.
Recent advances in wide bandgap semiconductors, system integration, and digital control are accelerating this transformation, just some of the subjects we explore here.
Automotive Industry: Electrification And Advanced Systems
The automotive sector is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and software-defined vehicles. Power electronics are at the core of this shift, enabling efficient energy conversion, high-speed charging, and sophisticated control of electric drivetrains and auxiliary systems.
The global market for power electronics in electric vehicles is projected to reach $36 billion by 2035, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17% from 2025 to 2035, reports IDTechEx. This growth is propelled by the adoption of silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) devices, which offer higher efficiency, reduced losses, and greater power density compared to traditional silicon-based components.
These materials are particularly crucial for inverters, onboard chargers, and DC-DC converters, the heart of modern EV powertrains, where they enable faster charging, improved range, and reduced system weight. SiC is already driving the adoption of 800V architectures, allowing for ultra-fast charging and supporting the next generation of high-performance electric vehicles.
Automotive electronics as a whole are experiencing explosive growth, with the market expected to more than double from $283.8 billion in 2024 to $641.7 billion by 2034, according to GlobeNewswire. This expansion is fueled not only by electrification but also by the integration of connectivity modules, advanced sensors, and cybersecurity features. Innovations such as vehicle-to-everything (V2X) connectivity, AI-driven personalization, and enhanced safety systems are becoming standard, with power electronics providing the backbone for reliable and efficient operation, Promwad writes.
China is emerging as a global leader in shaping vehicle architecture and driving innovation in automotive electronics. The country’s influence, according to TechInsights, is accelerating the adoption of new powertrain technologies and setting benchmarks for efficiency and integration. Meanwhile, the mainstreaming of Level 2 automated driving features-such as lane centering and adaptive cruise control-relies heavily on robust power management and reliable electronic systems, further underscoring the centrality of power electronics in the modern vehicle.
Looking ahead, the automotive industry will see continued advances in power density, thermal management, and system integration. The convergence of power electronics with advanced software and connectivity will enable even greater vehicle intelligence, safety, and sustainability, StartUs Insights writes.
Defense Industry: Enhancing Capabilities And Resilience
In the defense sector, power electronics play a pivotal role in enhancing the capabilities and resilience of military systems. The integration of advanced power electronic components enables the development of more efficient and reliable technologies, from propulsion to radar systems and directed energy weapons.
One significant development is the use of radiation-hardened electronics, essential for military and aerospace applications. These components are engineered to withstand extreme environmental conditions, including exposure to high radiation levels in space and nuclear environments, ensuring the reliability of critical systems.
Innovative companies are pushing the envelope with power generation solutions tailored to defense. A notable example is Zeno Power, which recently raised $50 million in funding to commercialize its nuclear battery technology, reports Axios. These batteries convert the decay of radioactive isotopes into thermal and electrical energy, offering long-duration, maintenance-free power for critical defense applications such as persistent surveillance, sensor networks, and AI-driven systems in remote or denied environments.
Meanwhile, the defense industry is witnessing a surge in investments in AI, robotics, and unmanned systems – all of which rely on compact and high-efficiency power electronics. As reported by the Financial Times, defense tech startups like Anduril and Palantir are increasingly being tapped by the U.S. Department of Defense for their innovative digital-first approaches. These firms are integrating advanced power and signal management into AI-enabled platforms, offering greater agility and modularity than traditional defense suppliers.
Communications Industry: Supporting Next-Gen Networks
The communications industry is undergoing rapid evolution, and power electronics are enabling the infrastructure that supports this transformation. With 5G continuing to expand and 6G development underway, writes Verified Market Reports, the demand for efficient power handling and management in RF systems, base stations, and data centers is soaring.
One of the major players meeting this demand is Tower Semiconductor, which recently reported strong revenue growth in wireless infrastructure and power management chips, writes Reuters. This surge is fueled by sustained global investments in 5G networks and early-stage 6G research. Their RF technologies, including power amplifiers and low-noise components, are essential for maintaining signal integrity and energy efficiency in next-gen communication systems.
In the satellite communications domain, power electronics are equally vital. According to The Times, British firm Filtronic has secured a $20.9 million deal to supply high-performance radio frequency power amplifiers for SpaceX’s Starlink constellation. These amplifiers help enable global high-speed internet access and play a strategic role in emergency communications and military command and control operations, where uptime and power efficiency are critical.
As global connectivity efforts expand to rural and underserved regions, and as demand for low-latency, high-bandwidth applications such as augmented reality and autonomous systems increases, the role of power electronics in the communications sector will only intensify. Efficient thermal management, voltage regulation, and noise suppression will remain critical challenges that RF engineers must navigate as networks scale.
Advances In Materials, Integration, And Digital Control
Power electronics are at the heart of transformative change across the automotive, defense, and communications industries. In the automotive sector, they are enabling the shift to electric mobility, advanced automation, and connected vehicles. In defense, they underpin the electrification of platforms, the rise of autonomous systems, and the contest for control of the electromagnetic spectrum. In communications, they support the rollout of high-speed networks, the expansion of data infrastructure, and the proliferation of connected devices.
The future of power electronics will be shaped by continued advances in materials, integration, and digital control, as well as the convergence of disciplines such as RF engineering and artificial intelligence. As these industries evolve, power electronics will remain a critical enabler of innovation, efficiency, and resilience.
RF engineers are uniquely positioned to drive these innovations forward. Whether through optimizing the efficiency of EV drivetrains, ruggedizing electronics for the battlefield, or engineering low-loss RF paths in satellite systems, the future of power electronics is both dynamic and indispensable.