Full-series passive component solutions in the AI server power supply field
The artificial intelligence computing revolution is reshaping the infrastructure architecture of global data centers at an unprecedented pace. With the advent of next-generation AI accelerators such as the NVIDIA GB200 and AMD Instinct™ MI300, the power consumption of a single GPU has jumped from hundreds of watts to over a thousand watts, and the total rack power has exceeded the megawatt level. This trend imposes three core challenges on server power systems - high power density, high conversion efficiency, and extremely fast transient response - and has elevated passive components from their traditional "supporting role" to "key enablers" that determine system performance and reliability. This article will introduce the power requirements and architecture of AI servers, along with the relevant solutions from the YAGEO Group.
Full-series core power components in the AI server power supply field
YAGEO offers a wide variety of core power components for the AI server power supply field. In terms of inductors and transformers, the product portfolio includes the TPI series, which are one-turn ferrite core inductors suitable for compact layouts, with an operating temperature range of -40°C to +125°C; the METCOM MPX series, which are metal composite power inductors featuring stable inductance values across the entire temperature and current range and an operating temperature up to +155°C; the PAL6374 series, designed specifically for TLVR topologies with current exceeding 77A, greatly improving VRM transient response; and NANOMET® nanocrystalline material inductors, which use new materials to achieve lower temperature rise (approximately 25°C lower than traditional inductors under the same load) and smaller size.
In capacitors, YAGEO addresses the hundreds-of-watts to even kilowatts-level power consumption and rapid load changes of AI server GPUs/CPUs, with capacitors primarily solving power integrity (PI) issues. YAGEO's product lines cover MLCCs, with the HC series high-capacitance MLCCs responsible for high-frequency decoupling and filtering. AI servers require significantly higher MLCC quantities and grade levels (such as X6S/X7R) than traditional servers; polymer tantalum capacitors, including the A700/A720/A798 series, provide high capacitance and low ESR for mid-to-low frequency energy storage, complementing MLCCs to cover wideband decoupling from kHz to GHz; and solid aluminum capacitors, with the A768 series, offer long life and high reliability under high temperature and high ripple current conditions.
YAGEO's other key components include the KH-AT series automotive-grade varistors (MOVs) for circuit protection, providing high surge absorption capability to protect power lines from voltage surges. Additionally, the PS series low-TCR current sensing resistors are used for precise current detection, enabling accurate monitoring of each power rail.
Overall, the YAGEO Group's strategy for AI server power supplies is clear and comprehensive. It is no longer just a single component supplier, but is able to provide full-link passive component solutions from high voltage to core voltage. This capability stems from the integration of its three major brands: YAGEO (resistors/capacitors), KEMET (capacitors/inductors), and Pulse (magnetic components). By offering customized or dedicated inductors, capacitors, resistors, and protection devices for each stage of AI power supply (PFC, LLC, DC/DC, VRM), YAGEO effectively helps engineers address the challenges of high power density, thermal management, and power stability brought by AI hardware.
Complete capacitor product series to meet the power consumption demands of AI server GPUs
Polymer Tantalum Capacitors
The power consumption of AI server GPUs often reaches hundreds of watts or even over a thousand watts, and the load changes extremely rapidly. Traditional capacitors struggle to simultaneously meet the stringent requirements of high capacitance, low equivalent series resistance (ESR), and high reliability. The key advantages of polymer tantalum capacitors are their ultra-low ESR and high capacitance, with ESR as low as 3-70 mΩ and the ability to provide large capacitance (6.8µF to 680µF) in a small volume, enabling fast power delivery and voltage stabilization during sudden GPU load surges.
The YAGEO Group (through its brand KEMET) has made its polymer tantalum capacitors a key component in AI server power management, mainly due to the extremely high transient response speed and high current requirements of AI chips (such as GPUs). The series used in AI servers include the A700/A720/A798 series (AO-CAP), with the A798 series passing 125°C / 5500-hour life testing and designed specifically for high-temperature, long-load scenarios such as AI servers; the T520/T521/T530 series (KO-CAP), which are YAGEO's mainstream standard polymer tantalum capacitors, widely used in server and automotive power modules; and the T491 series (MnO₂), which are industrial-grade solid tantalum capacitors known for high reliability and a wide capacitance range, suitable for power decoupling.
MLCC (Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors)
The power consumption of AI server GPUs is extremely high (single card can reach hundreds of watts or even over a thousand watts), and the computational load can fluctuate dramatically within nanoseconds to microseconds (ns~µs). This poses a major challenge to the stability of the supply voltage (i.e., power integrity, PI). The role of MLCCs is precisely for high-speed decoupling - when the GPU demands a large current instantaneously, they discharge immediately to prevent voltage drops that could cause system instability or crashes. In high-frequency filtering, MLCCs filter out high-frequency noise in power and high-speed signal paths, ensuring signal integrity for high-speed interfaces such as PCIe Gen5 and HBM.
Compared with traditional servers, AI servers impose more stringent requirements on MLCC capacitance, frequency response range, temperature tolerance, and package size. YAGEO addresses these demands primarily through the following product lines, including the HC series (high-capacitance MLCCs), which are the main products for AI servers, used for high-capacitance energy storage and decoupling around GPUs/CPUs. With X5R, X6S (more stable performance), and X7R dielectrics, the capacitance range covers 1µF to 220µF, with packages from 0201 to 2220 and support for voltages up to 100V. High-capacitance MLCCs achieve high capacitance per unit volume through thinner dielectric layers and more electrode layers.
The high-voltage NPO series (HV NPO) is mainly used in new high-voltage power architectures such as 800V SiC/GaN, serving as precision resonant capacitors in LLC resonant circuits. The NPO (C0G) dielectric offers excellent temperature stability and very low aging drift, ensuring that the switching frequency (100kHz~1MHz) of the high-voltage power stage remains precise, thereby improving efficiency.
Film Capacitors
The sharp rise in AI server power consumption is driving data center power architectures to transition from traditional 48V to higher-voltage systems such as 800V (±400V). This transition aims to reduce transmission losses to support cabinet-level power densities of 1MW or even higher. This evolution brings new challenges for passive components, including higher voltage withstand requirements - components must endure higher voltages while ensuring insulation and reliability; higher power density - requiring components to handle greater power in smaller spaces, demanding miniaturization and high efficiency; and more severe environments - data center power modules operate at high temperatures and require long-term stable operation.
The YAGEO Group (through its brand KEMET) film capacitors play a critical role in AI server power supplies, especially in the key areas of high voltage, high power density, and high reliability. In the AI server power architecture, YAGEO film capacitors are primarily used in the AC input stage and PFC (Power Factor Correction) to filter high-frequency noise from the grid, suppress electromagnetic interference (EMI), and smooth current in the PFC circuit. In addition, DC-Link is the most core application of film capacitors, serving as the intermediate DC bus smoothing capacitor after AC-DC conversion and before DC-DC conversion, used for energy storage, filtering, and decoupling to ensure a stable DC voltage for subsequent circuits. In circuits such as LLC resonant converters, film capacitors can act as resonant capacitors or as snubber circuits to absorb voltage spikes generated by switching devices (such as SiC and GaN).
To meet the above stringent requirements, YAGEO offers a range of high-performance DC-Link film capacitors, including the C4AQ series, which can operate at high temperature (125°C), high ripple current, and low ESL, with a capacitance range of 1 µF - 210 µF and voltage range of 500 - 1,500 VDC, supporting up to 125°C, mainly used for DC-Link, DC filtering, and power electronics; the C4AQ-M series features miniaturization, supporting 1.1 µF - 210 µF capacitance and 500 - 1,200 VDC, up to 125°C, for compact power supply designs with strict space constraints.
The C4AU series is suitable for harsh environments (AEC-Q200), THB 85/85 testing, supporting 1 µF - 210 µF and 500 - 1,200 VDC, up to 125°C, for automotive-grade, high-humidity/high-temperature and other harsh conditions; the C4AK series supports ultra-high temperature (135°C), long life, providing 1.5 µF - 60 µF and 700 - 900 VDC, up to 135°C, for scenarios with the highest demands on operating temperature and long-term reliability; the C4AF series is used for AC filtering, harsh environments (THB 85/85 1500 hours), supporting 1 µF - 75 µF and up to 600 VAC, up to 105°C, for AC filtering, harmonic removal, and PFC.
Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors
The power consumption of AI server GPUs is extremely high, and the computational load fluctuates dramatically in an instant. This "step-like" current change poses a huge challenge to the power supply system, requiring capacitors that can respond quickly, provide large currents, and are stable and reliable to filter noise, smooth voltage (DC-Link filtering), and provide instantaneous energy (decoupling).
YAGEO provides comprehensive aluminum electrolytic capacitor solutions primarily through its KEMET brand, with the core technologies being Hybrid Polymer and Solid Polymer. Hybrid polymer aluminum capacitors combine the advantages of traditional liquid electrolytic capacitors and solid polymer capacitors. Compared with traditional liquid electrolytic capacitors, they have lower equivalent series resistance (ESR) at high frequencies and higher ripple current handling capability, which means lower power loss (Ploss = IAC² x ESR) and higher power efficiency. At the same time, they have a wide operating temperature range (-55°C to +150°C) and longer service life.
Solid polymer aluminum capacitors feature extremely low ESR, high ripple current capability (>5A@100kHz), and ultra-long service life (e.g., 200,000 hours @85°C). Since they have no liquid electrolyte, there is no risk of dry-out or leakage causing combustion, resulting in extremely high reliability. These capacitors are found throughout the power distribution network (PDN) of AI servers, mainly used in DC-DC converters and server power management.
YAGEO offers several series optimized for different needs, such as the A783 / A788 / A740 / A742 series (SMD V-Chip), which are surface-mount hybrid polymer aluminum capacitors. They offer a variety of capacitance values (e.g., 100µF to 1200µF) and voltages (e.g., 25V to 63V), with high ripple current and low ESR, well-suited for high-density power supply designs on AI server motherboards.
The PEB227 series (axial) provides extremely high capacitance values (up to 4600µF) and high ripple current capability, and can operate at temperatures up to 150°C. For example, in a 3KW 48V DC-DC power supply design, only 4 PEB227 series capacitors (total area 1156mm²) are required to meet the design requirements; while with a certain hybrid polymer capacitor, 16 capacitors (total area 1600mm²) would be needed. This demonstrates the significant advantage of the PEB227 series in saving PCB space.
Power delivery system architecture evolution
Complete magnetic component solutions from high voltage to core voltage
YAGEO provides a complete magnetic component solution from high voltage to core voltage (Vcore) in the AI server power supply field. This solution covers transformers, inductors, capacitors, and many other product lines, penetrating all stages of AI server power supplies.
Across the typical four-stage power architecture of an AI server from the grid to the chip, YAGEO products run through all stages, including HV Magnetics (high-voltage magnetic components) that handle the conversion from three-phase AC to 800VDC, including high-frequency main transformers. Products include PTLA/PTLC series LLC transformers, PFC chokes, and common mode chokes (CMC). HV IBC (high-voltage intermediate bus conversion) covers 800V DC → 48V DC, including LLC main transformers, PFC chokes, etc., with products including PTLA/PTLC series LLC transformers and filter inductors. Pulse Electronics, a YAGEO subsidiary, is a specialist in custom magnetic components and can provide such high-power solutions. LV IBC (low-voltage intermediate bus conversion) covers 48V DC → 12V DC, involving main transformers, auxiliary power transformers, etc.
KEMET's TPI series surface-mount one-turn ferrite core inductors, auxiliary power transformers, and current sense transformers are specifically designed for 48V and 12V power architectures, supporting currents up to 66A and switching frequencies up to 3MHz.
In addition, in the VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) stage of 12V DC → Vcore (GPU/CPU core voltage), which is the final stage supplying power to the GPU and CPU and has the highest requirements for current and transient response, YAGEO uses TLVR inductors (Pulse's PAL6374 series), with currents exceeding 77A, significantly improving load transient response speed. Additionally, there are PGL series coupled inductors, Power Beads, and other products, as well as KEMET's METCOM MPX series metal composite inductors and NANOMET® inductors, which are new products using nanocrystalline materials, all capable of handling currents above 100A with excellent heat dissipation performance.
Magnetic material microstructure/density
Inductor product lines meeting the high power density and high efficiency requirements of AI servers
The power consumption of AI server GPUs/CPUs is enormous and load changes are extremely rapid. Traditional inductor materials face bottlenecks; for example, conventional ferrite requires adding an "air gap" to avoid saturation, but this leads to magnetic flux leakage, causing electromagnetic interference (EMI) and additional losses. Although metal composite materials do not need an air gap, their core losses increase sharply at high frequencies and high currents, limiting power density improvement.
YAGEO's NANOMET™ (nanocrystalline metal) soft magnetic material is a revolutionary material technology developed specifically to address the high power density and high efficiency requirements of AI servers. Its core value lies in enabling inductor components to handle extremely high currents (such as 120A) while being smaller in size, lower in temperature, and with fewer losses.
In AI servers, NANOMET™ can be used for Power Beads (power module inductors) in multiphase buck regulators that are placed close to GPUs/CPUs. Compared with ferrite solutions, NANOMET™ is smaller in size, reduces total losses by 33%, and produces less EMI interference. In addition, it can also be used for TLVR inductors (trans-inductor voltage regulators), which are designed to address voltage droop issues caused by sudden GPU load surges. NANOMET™ achieves even lower total losses and higher coupling coefficients while reducing volume by 30%.
On the other hand, NANOMET™ material can also be used for PFC / Boost inductors (power factor correction / boost inductors), suitable for high-voltage, high-power front-end power supplies. In designs pursuing miniaturization and high switching frequencies (such as 200kHz), NANOMET™ becomes the key to achieving target size and performance. NANOMET™ material can also be used for SMD power inductors; as general-purpose power inductors, their core loss is only 20% of that of metal composite materials of the same volume, and they have excellent DC bias characteristics.
The YAGEO Group (through its brand KEMET) TPI series ferrite SMD power inductors are specifically designed to meet the stringent power demands of high-intensity computing platforms such as AI servers. Their core value lies in achieving extremely low core losses at ultra-high switching frequencies through innovative design and materials, effectively addressing the thermal challenges brought by AI chips.
The TPI series inductors employ several key technologies to achieve their high performance, including a one-turn Mn-Zn ferrite core design, which is the key to achieving ultra-low core loss and low DC resistance (DCR). Low DCR means less copper loss and heat generation, which is crucial for high-density layouts. In addition, they are optimized for high frequencies; their core materials and structure make them well-suited for high-switching-frequency applications up to 3 MHz, in line with the trend toward miniaturization and higher frequencies in modern AI power architectures. The TPI series inductors also feature excellent thermal management, operating stably over a wide temperature range of -40°C to +125°C (including self-temperature rise).
The TPI series inductors are mainly used in high-power-density voltage regulator modules (VRMs) and DC/DC converters in AI servers, providing efficient and stable power for core components such as high-performance CPUs and GPUs, AI accelerator boards, servers, and storage systems.
With their high efficiency, low loss, and excellent thermal performance at high frequencies and high currents, YAGEO's TPI series ferrite SMD power inductors have become one of the key components supporting the enormous computing power of AI servers and ensuring stable system operation.
Thin-film, high-humidity-resistant RP series
Anti-sulfurated resistors with high reliability and corrosion resistance
As the computing power and power consumption of AI servers grow explosively, extremely high demands are placed on the reliability, corrosion resistance, and precision current sensing capability of internal components. AI servers operate in harsh environments, facing three major challenges. First, AI servers often run in environments containing sulfur-bearing gases, facing the risk of sulfurated corrosion. The silver electrodes of ordinary resistors react with sulfur to form non-conductive silver sulfide (Ag₂S), leading to open-circuit failure. In addition, as GPU power consumption surges, they must also cope with high currents and high power density, requiring current sensing resistors that can handle high currents with high precision. On the other hand, to ensure the stable operation of core processors such as CPUs/GPUs, high-precision, low-temperature-coefficient (TCR) resistors are required for precise voltage and signal monitoring.
YAGEO, with its complete product portfolio, has become a key supplier in this market. YAGEO offers the AF series (thick film) and RP series (thin film) anti-sulfurated resistors, which, through special electrode and coating designs, can withstand anti-sulfurated testing at 105°C for up to 750 hours per the ASTM-B-809-95 standard, significantly improving long-term reliability. For high-current and high-power-density requirements, YAGEO provides the PA/PS series metal current sensors, suitable for power management. In addition, the PW/PU series shunt current sensors offer power ratings up to 15W and can handle currents up to 150A, meeting the demands of demanding scenarios such as GPU core power supply. On the other hand, the RP series thin-film resistors meet precision signal monitoring requirements with high precision, low TCR, and long-term stability (through 8000-hour life testing).
Through the coordinated combination of the AF series (anti-sulfurated), PW/PU series (high-current sensing), and RP series (high precision), YAGEO's R-chip products precisely address the core needs of AI servers in terms of high reliability, high current, and precision control.
Conclusion
Looking across the development trajectory of AI server power systems - from the traditional 48V architecture to the evolution toward 800V high-voltage platforms, and from single-unit power of several kilowatts to cabinet-level power in the megawatt range, each stage of technological breakthrough has imposed ever more stringent challenges on passive components. Leveraging the technical synergy of its three major brands - YAGEO, KEMET, and Pulse Electronics - the YAGEO Group not only fully covers every stage of power conversion from the grid to the xPU core, but also has achieved independent innovation in key materials and processes, striving to provide more efficient, more compact, and smarter power solutions for the next generation of AI infrastructure.
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