The display industry's expansion is a significant driver for the power management integrated circuit (PMIC) market. According to CINNO Research, the domestic display panel PMIC market in China reached approximately RMB 5.2 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow to RMB 6.5 billion by 2025.
Understanding Power Management Chips
Power management chips are crucial semiconductor components that manage battery and power circuits within electronic devices. They perform essential functions like battery charging and discharging, system monitoring and protection, and various forms of power conversion, including AC/DC and DC/DC. As a subcategory of analog semiconductors, these chips are fundamental to modern electronics.
Their applications span numerous sectors, including industrial automation, automotive systems, networking equipment, consumer electronics, mobile communications, and smart home appliances. The combined effect of broad downstream demand, rapid growth in terminal markets, and recent semiconductor supply constraints fueled significant expansion for the PMIC market throughout 2021.
The Display Panel PMIC Segment
The display panel power management chip segment represents a vital and growing part of the overall PMIC market. These specialized components are indispensable for the functionality of various display technologies.
A display panel's power system typically incorporates several types of PMICs:
- PMIC (Power Management Integrated Circuit): A multi-output integrated circuit that provides key voltages like VCOM, VGH, VGL, AVDD, and AVEE for panel operation. Some advanced versions also output Gamma and LED Driver voltages.
- Buck/Boost Converters: These primarily generate AVDD and AVEE voltages to power the source driver ICs. They often supplement integrated PMICs or act as external power sources for small-panel display driver chips (DDICs).
- Level Shifters: Essential for voltage level conversion, particularly in panels using Gate Driver on Array (GOA) technology.
- LDOs (Low-Dropout Regulators) and OP Amplifiers are frequently used for supplementary power regulation and signal conditioning.
Different applications require specific chip combinations. AMOLED smartphones and smartwatches rely heavily on dedicated PMICs. Notebook computers often use a PMIC alongside a Level Shifter and an LED Driver. Large-sized applications, such as monitors and TVs, commonly integrate PMICs, Level Shifters, and OP Amplifiers into their power architecture.
๐ Explore more strategies for component selection
Market Share and Competitive Landscape
The global power management chip market is dominated by major international integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) and fabless companies. Key players include Texas Instruments (TI), Infineon, Analog Devices (ADI), STMicroelectronics, NXP, ON Semiconductor, Renesas, Microchip, and ROHM. Companies like Qualcomm and MediaTek also hold significant market share through their system-on-chip (SoC) solutions.
Within the display panel PMIC niche, the supplier landscape has historically been influenced by the geographical concentration of panel manufacturing in South Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan. Consequently, Taiwanese companies initially led this segment. However, the competitive dynamics are shifting rapidly.
CINNO Research data indicates that the top three suppliers to Chinese display panel manufacturers in the first half of 2021 were:
- Richtek (็ซ้็งๆ)
- GMT (่ดๆฐ็งๆ)
- Novatek (่ๅ็งๆ)
Together, these three companies accounted for approximately 74% of the market share.
The Rise of Domestic Chinese Suppliers
Local Chinese chip designers are capturing a growing portion of the market. These domestic suppliers can be broadly categorized into two groups:
- Display-Focused IC Designers: Companies that possess expertise in both display driver ICs (DDICs) and display panel PMICs. Key examples include Chipone (้ๅๅๆน), NewVision (ๆฐ็ธๅพฎ), and ESWIN (ๅฅๆฏไผ), which ranked fourth, fifth, and seventh, respectively, in H1 2021.
- Specialized Analog Chip Companies: Firms focused on mixed-signal and analog semiconductor solutions, such as Silergy (็ฝๅๆฐ), which ranked sixth.
This growth has significantly increased the localization rate for display panel PMICs used in Chinese fabs. According to CINNO Research, the domestic adoption rate reached about 24% in the first half of 2021. This trend is expected to continue, driven by sustained market demand and ongoing improvements in the technical capabilities of local manufacturers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a display panel power management chip (PMIC)?
A display panel PMIC is a specialized semiconductor that manages and distributes power within a display module. It generates and regulates the precise voltages required for different parts of the panel, such as the source driver, gate driver, and backlight unit, ensuring stable and efficient operation.
What are the key drivers for the growth of this market?
The growth is primarily driven by the expanding display industry itself, including increased production of smartphones, TVs, monitors, laptops, and the rapid adoption of new technologies like AMOLED and advanced LCDs. The push for supply chain localization and global semiconductor market trends also play major roles.
How does an AMOLED PMIC differ from an LCD PMIC?
AMOLED PMICs are often more complex due to the specific power requirements of organic light-emitting diodes. They need to precisely control current for each pixel to ensure uniform brightness, whereas LCD PMICs focus on generating stable voltages for the backlight (LED driver) and the TFT array.
Who are the main players in the display PMIC market?
The market includes global giants like Texas Instruments and Infineon, established Taiwanese suppliers like Richtek and Novatek, and a growing number of Chinese manufacturers such as Chipone and Silergy, who are increasing their market share.
What does a higher localization rate mean for the industry?
A higher localization rate means more display panel manufacturers are sourcing their power management chips from domestic suppliers. This can lead to greater supply chain resilience, reduced costs, and fostered innovation within the regional semiconductor ecosystem.
What future trends will impact display PMIC technology?
Future trends include the development of more integrated and power-efficient solutions to support higher display resolutions and refresh rates, chips designed for foldable and rollable displays, and components that enable lower power consumption for extended battery life in mobile devices.