Infineon’s Power & Sensor Systems division is collaborating with Nvidia to modernize the power architecture of AI data centers by implementing a centralized high-voltage DC power system. This upgrade aims to address the increasing power demands of high-performance GPUs, which are currently pulling more than 1 kW of power per chip.
As power consumption rates rise, the infrastructure of data centers has been burdened, with average power demands per rack escalating from 120 kilowatts to about 500 kilowatts in recent years. Predictions indicate that racks could reach over one megawatt by 2030. The current trend involving the addition of multiple power supplies within a single rack creates more points of failure and contributes to excess heat and space usage.
To alleviate these issues, Infineon advocates for converting power directly at the GPU on the server board and upgrading the system backbone to an 800-volt architecture. This shift is expected to enhance reliability and efficiency while managing heat effectively. Nvidia’s announcement of the new 800 Volt direct current (VDC) system highlights the inadequacy of the existing 54 Volt backbone to meet the escalating demands of AI processors.
Alvin Nguyen, a senior analyst at Forrester Research, supports this move, stating that it not only mitigates power losses associated with lower voltage systems but also reduces material requirements for wiring, improving overall system reliability and serviceability.
Infineon emphasizes that transitioning to this centralized architecture will cut power losses and enhance efficiency, although it necessitates new solutions for power conversion and enhanced safety measures to prevent server downtimes.
Adam White, division president at Infineon Technologies, noted that power is crucial for AI advancement, and their partnership with Nvidia aims to create intelligent power systems that meet the demands of future AI data centers while minimizing downtime.
Nvidia is actively promoting the new 800 Volt infrastructure, with over 50 partners aligning their products to support this initiative. The OCP Global Summit in Germany will showcase industry collaboration on silicon, components, and power systems tailored for the gigawatt era of 800-volt direct current data centers, underscoring the urgent need for innovation in response to growing AI processing demands.
