On June 3, 2025, Dolphin Semiconductor, a leading provider of mixed-signal intellectual property (IP) solutions, announced a strategic collaboration with Xiaohua Semiconductor (XHSC), a prominent player in microcontroller unit (MCU) design in China. This partnership centers on Dolphin Semiconductor supplying a high-efficiency DC-DC converter implemented in a 40nm process node to XHSC for integration into high-end industrial applications. This blog post delves into the technical aspects of this DC-DC converter, its significance in the semiconductor industry, and its impact on XHSC’s industrial product offerings, as well as broader implications for the high-end industrial sector.

Understanding DC-DC Converters and Their Role in Industrial Applications

DC-DC converters are critical electronic circuits that convert one direct current (DC) voltage level to another, enabling efficient power management in electronic systems. They are ubiquitous in applications ranging from consumer electronics to automotive and industrial systems, where they regulate power delivery to ensure optimal performance and energy efficiency. In high-end industrial applications—such as industrial automation, robotics, and IoT-enabled smart factories—DC-DC converters must meet stringent requirements, including:

1. High Efficiency: Minimizing power loss to reduce energy consumption and heat dissipation.
2. Low Quiescent Current: Ensuring minimal power draw in low-power or sleep modes, critical for battery-operated or energy-constrained devices.
3. Robustness: Operating reliably in harsh environments with wide temperature ranges, high voltages, and mechanical stresses.
4. Compact Size: Supporting integration into space-constrained systems, often achieved through advanced process nodes like 40nm.
5. Low Noise and EMI: Providing clean power to sensitive analog and RF circuits to maintain signal integrity.

Dolphin Semiconductor’s DC-DC converter, designed in a 40nm process, addresses these requirements, making it an ideal choice for XHSC’s high-end MCU-based industrial solutions.

Technical Highlights of Dolphin Semiconductor’s 40nm DC-DC Converter

Dolphin Semiconductor’s DC-DC converter is a buck converter, a type of switching regulator that steps down input voltage to a lower output voltage with high efficiency. Based on information from Dolphin’s portfolio and the announcement, key technical features of this converter include:

1. High Power Efficiency

1. The converter achieves high efficiency in active mode, likely exceeding 90% under typical operating conditions, as is standard for Dolphin’s low-quiescent DC-DC designs.
2. It maintains high efficiency at light loads, which is crucial for industrial systems that frequently transition between active and idle states.
3. Advanced control techniques, such as pulse-width modulation (PWM) or pulse-frequency modulation (PFM), are likely employed to optimize efficiency across a wide load range.

2. Low Quiescent Current

1. Dolphin’s DC-DC converter is designed with low quiescent current, potentially in the sub-microamp range during deep-sleep modes.
2. This feature enables XHSC’s MCUs to support always-on (AON) domains with minimal power consumption, extending battery life in portable industrial devices or reducing energy costs in wired systems.

3. 40nm Process Node

1. The 40nm process node strikes a balance between performance, power efficiency, and cost, making it suitable for high-volume industrial applications.
2. Compared to older nodes (e.g., 65nm or 90nm), 40nm allows for smaller die sizes, reducing manufacturing costs and enabling higher integration levels.
3. The smaller geometry also supports faster switching frequencies, which can reduce the size of external components like inductors and capacitors, minimizing the bill of materials (BoM).

4. Wide Input Voltage Range

1. The converter supports an extended input voltage range, up to 5.5V, accommodating various power sources such as lithium-ion batteries, alkaline batteries, or USB power.
2. This flexibility is critical for industrial systems that may operate in diverse environments with varying power supplies.

5. Robust Design for Industrial Environments

1. Dolphin’s design incorporates features to ensure reliability under harsh conditions, such as high temperatures, voltage transients, and mechanical stresses, which are common in industrial settings.
2. Power-on-reset (POR) and brown-out-reset (BOR) monitors ensure safe operation by monitoring internal and external supply voltages, enhancing system resilience.

6. Low Noise and EMI

1. The converter is optimized to minimize noise and electromagnetic interference (EMI), which is essential for industrial systems integrating wireless communication modules (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or LoRa).
2. Techniques such as proper noise filtering, isolation, and shielding are likely implemented to maintain signal integrity in XHSC’s MCUs.

7. Configurable Output

1. The converter likely features programmable output voltage, allowing XHSC to tailor power delivery to specific application needs.
2. This configurability enhances the versatility of XHSC’s MCU platforms, supporting a range of industrial use cases.

Integration with XHSC’s High-End Industrial MCUs

XHSC specializes in designing intelligent control chips for industrial automation, home appliances, and IoT applications, with a focus on motor control, ultra-low power consumption, and system-level solutions. By integrating Dolphin’s DC-DC converter, XHSC enhances its MCU offerings in several ways:

1. Improved Energy Efficiency

1. The high-efficiency DC-DC converter reduces power losses, enabling XHSC’s MCUs to deliver longer battery life in portable industrial devices or lower energy consumption in fixed installations.
2. As industrial systems increasingly adopt electrification and electronic integration, energy efficiency is a competitive differentiator.

2. Enhanced Performance

1. The converter’s ability to supply both always-on and active domains from a single regulator simplifies power network design, reducing complexity and improving performance.
2. Fast transient response ensures stable power delivery during dynamic load changes, critical for high-performance industrial applications like robotics or real-time control systems.

3. Reliability in Harsh Environments

1. Dolphin’s robust design ensures that XHSC’s MCUs can operate reliably in demanding industrial conditions, meeting requirements for lifetimes up to 20 years under high voltages and temperatures.
2. This reliability is essential for mission-critical applications, such as factory automation or heavy machinery control.

4. Compact and Cost-Effective Design

1. The 40nm process and low BoM enabled by Dolphin’s converter allow XHSC to create compact, cost-effective MCU solutions, appealing to manufacturers seeking to optimize system size and cost.

5. Support for Wireless Connectivity

1. Many industrial IoT devices rely on wireless protocols like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or LoRa. The converter’s low-noise characteristics ensure clean power for RF circuits, maintaining reliable communication.
2. This capability aligns with XHSC’s focus on IoT solutions, enabling smart, connected industrial systems.

Impact on XHSC and the Industrial Semiconductor Market

The collaboration between Dolphin Semiconductor and XHSC has significant implications for both companies and the broader industrial semiconductor market.

1. Competitive Advantage for XHSC

1. By integrating Dolphin’s high-efficiency DC-DC converter, XHSC strengthens its position in the high-end industrial market. As noted by WANG Wei, Director of Marketing & Business Development at XHSC, the converter enhances MCU performance and energy efficiency, boosting product competitiveness.
2. This partnership allows XHSC to differentiate its offerings in a crowded MCU market, appealing to customers in industrial automation, smart factories, and IoT.

2. Market Expansion for Dolphin Semiconductor

1. The collaboration reinforces Dolphin’s reputation as a trusted provider of power management IP, expanding its footprint in the Chinese market through XHSC, a key player in MCU design.
2. The successful deployment of the 40nm DC-DC converter in industrial applications could lead to further partnerships with other MCU and SoC designers, driving revenue growth.

3. Advancing Industry 4.0

1. The partnership supports the global shift toward Industry 4.0, characterized by smart, interconnected, and electrified industrial systems. Dolphin’s energy-efficient IP enables XHSC’s MCUs to power next-generation devices, such as IoT sensors, robotic controllers, and automated machinery.
2. By reducing energy consumption and enhancing reliability, this technology contributes to sustainable industrial practices, aligning with global sustainability goals.

4. Broader Implications for Power Management IP

1. The demand for high-efficiency, low-noise DC-DC converters is growing across industries, driven by trends like electrification, IoT, and AI. Dolphin’s success in this project highlights the importance of specialized power management IP in enabling these trends.
2. The 40nm process node, while mature, remains cost-effective and widely adopted, suggesting that Dolphin’s IP will find applications beyond industrial systems, potentially in consumer electronics or automotive sectors.

Challenges and Considerations

While the collaboration is promising, several technical and market challenges must be addressed:

1. Integration Complexity: Integrating the DC-DC converter into XHSC’s MCU designs requires careful optimization to ensure compatibility and performance. Dolphin’s customer-centric support, as highlighted in its mission, will be critical to overcoming this challenge.
2. Competition: The power management IP market is competitive, with players like Infineon and Dolphin Technology offering similar solutions. Dolphin Semiconductor must continue innovating to maintain its edge.
3. Supply Chain Risks: The semiconductor industry faces ongoing supply chain constraints. Collaboration with leading foundries like TSMC, as noted in Dolphin’s partnerships, will help mitigate these risks.
4. Evolving Standards: Industrial applications increasingly require compliance with standards like ISO 26262 for functional safety. Dolphin’s IP must evolve to meet these requirements, especially for safety-critical systems.

Conclusion

Dolphin Semiconductor’s high-efficiency DC-DC converter in 40nm, supplied to XHSC for high-end industrial applications, represents a significant advancement in power management IP. Its technical features—high efficiency, low quiescent current, robustness, and low noise—make it an ideal solution for XHSC’s MCU-based industrial products. The partnership enhances XHSC’s competitiveness, expands Dolphin’s market presence, and supports the global transition to energy-efficient, smart industrial systems.

As Industry 4.0 continues to reshape manufacturing and automation, collaborations like this one underscore the critical role of specialized semiconductor IP in driving innovation. By delivering reliable, efficient, and compact power solutions, Dolphin Semiconductor and XHSC are paving the way for a more sustainable and connected industrial future.

For more details on this collaboration, visit Dolphin Semiconductor’s announcement.

About Dolphin Semiconductor

Dolphin Semiconductor is a leading provider of semiconductor IP solutions, specializing in mixed signal IP design targeting markets such as Industrial, High-Performance Computing, Consumer Electronics, IoT and Automotive. Dolphin Semiconductor cutting-edge technology IPs in power management, high-quality audio, power metering, and design safety/robustness, allow their customers to accelerate design cycles, foster faster time-to-market and build products that address the challenges of any industry and support a more sustainable world. With a customer-centric approach, Dolphin Semiconductor provides exceptional support for successful project outcomes. www.dolphin-semiconductor.com