Powering AI roadmap with cutting-edge BBU for AI data centres

Infineon Technologies AG presents its roadmap for next-level Battery Backup Unit (BBU) solutions for uninterrupted operations of AI data centres to avoid power outages and the risk of data losses. The comprehensive BBU roadmap includes power solutions from 4kW up to the world's first 12kW battery backup unit. The BBU solutions are developed to deliver highly efficient, reliable, and scalable power conversion in AI server racks and attain a power density up to 400% higher than the industry average. BBUs are vital for AI data centres to provide a UPS and protect sensitive AI hardware from voltage spikes, surges, and other power anomalies by filtering and conditioning the power supplied to the data centre equipment. Combined with various best-in-class topologies enabling increased ease of use for customers, the BBU solutions are strengthening the company's position in the field of powering AI.

"Ensuring an uninterrupted power supply to AI systems is critical for maintaining process continuity and seamless operation," said Adam White, division president of Power and Sensor Systems at Infineon. "Our energy-efficient battery backup units are designed to keep AI servers running smoothly with exceptional performance, flexibility, and efficiency, catering to the diverse power levels required by AI servers. By mastering all three relevant semiconductor materials, Si, SiC, and GaN, we are confident that Infineon semiconductor solutions will set a new standard in powering AI data centres."

Downtime or system failures in AI data centres can be extraordinarily costly, with 41% of firms interviewed in an ITIC survey from 2024 indicating losses from $1 million to over $5 million per hour of downtime. 35% of these failures are attributed to issues with power component quality. To address this, the company's Partial Power Converter (PPC), a semiconductor solution that focuses on improving the performance and reliability of power supply systems, stands out as a leading technology for battery backup units.

The intermediate solution, represented by the 5.5kW BBU, features a proprietary topology from the company that integrates Si and GaN technologies, delivering ultra-high efficiency and high-power density. The industry-first 12kW system combines several 4kW power converter cards using its PSOC MCUs, 40V and 80V OptiMOS and EiceDRIVER Gate Drivers, enabling unparalleled performance and flexibility, achieving a power density four times higher than the industry average. Higher power levels can be attained by paralleling multiple cards on a motherboard, offering ease of scalability and simplified maintenance. If one card fails, the system continues to operate at a reduced capacity, minimizing downtime and ensuring high reliability. This modular approach allows the system to be tailored to specific power requirements without needing a full system redesign, creating substantial customer benefits in terms of performance and reliability.

To further demonstrate the capabilities of the latest BBU technology, the company is developing full system demonstrators for its battery backup solutions. These demonstrators will showcase the advantages of PPC technology in real-world applications, offering a clear path forward for next-generation AI data centres.