How custom ICs enhance energy efficiency in industrial applications
EDITOR’ S CHOICE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
SWINDON SILICON SYSTEMS
How custom ICs enhance energy efficiency in industrial applications
According to the International Energy Agency, industrial energy consumption makes up nearly one-third of global energy demand. As global nations work towards net-zero targets, reducing energy consumption in manufacturing is critical. However, the growing use of automation and robotics is increasing energy requirements. Here Ross Turnbull, Director of Business Development and Product Engineering at ASIC design and supply specialist Swindon Silicon Systems, explains how ASICs are key to improving energy efficiency in industrial applications.
As manufacturing becomes increasingly digital, smart factories rely on interconnected systems powered by robotics, sensors and AI-driven machinery. While automation typically improves energy efficiency per unit of production, the greater computational and operational demands of smarter systems can lead to a larger overall energy footprint. processing( DSP). As a result, it often executes more operations than necessary, introducing inefficiencies.
For example, when processing sensor data or performing DSP tasks like filtering or transformation, a standard IC may take longer to complete computations because it lacks specific optimisation. The prolonged execution time keeps the chip active for extended periods, drawing more power than a custom solution.
As manufacturing becomes increasingly digital, smart factories rely on interconnected systems powered by robotics, sensors and AIdriven machinery.
Moreover, standard ICs often include additional features and processing capabilities that are irrelevant to the specific application. In sensing applications, for example, a standard IC may execute unnecessary communication protocols or auxiliary data processing that do not directly contribute to the primary function. These additional operations increase power consumption and reduce overall system efficiency.
As automation scales up, these inefficiencies compound, leading to greater energy waste and higher operational costs. While individual ICs may not consume large amounts of power, optimising them for low power consumption and high performance is critical for minimising energy waste and lowering operational costs.
A smarter solution Application Specific Integrated Circuits( ASICs) provide a more efficient solution. Unlike general-
The challenges of traditional ICs Integrated circuits( ICs) are essential for key functions in smart factories, including motor control, sensor data processing and machine communication.
Off-the-shelf, general-purpose ICs are commonly used in industrial applications due to their costeffectiveness and availability. However, they often prove inefficient in energy-sensitive industrial environments. This is because a standard IC is not fine-tuned for critical industrial functions, such as sensing, performing complex calculations, controlling or digital signal
14 PECM Issue 78