AI is now moving “inside the laptop.” Since the second half of 2024, global semiconductor companies, including Intel and AMD, have begun launching “AI PC” laptops equipped with neural processing units (NPUs) dedicated to AI computation as standard features. Microsoft has also announced plans to expand user-centric on-device AI experiences through its Copilot+ PC brand. Laptops are becoming thinner and lighter, while simultaneously being required to handle greater computational workloads and higher display resolutions. Ultimately, all of these functions depend on power management technology.
[Fig] AI PCs Released by Intel and AMD ※Source: Intel and AMD Websites
AI laptops require a power distribution architecture fundamentally different from that of conventional laptops. This is because AI laptops incorporate CPUs, GPUs, and NPUs simultaneously, use high-resolution OLED and Mini LED panels, and support increasingly complex user-centered multitasking environments. In particular, battery efficiency and heat generation have emerged as key factors affecting the user experience, rapidly increasing the importance of PMICs (Power Management Integrated Circuits) and high-efficiency LED driver technologies. Intel and AMD are advancing their proprietary AI SoCs (Systems on Chip), while Apple is strengthening its independent ecosystem through the M3 chip and a high-efficiency power management architecture.
[Fig] Chips Designed with High-Efficiency Power Management Architectures by Intel, AMD, and Apple
※Source: Intel, AMD, and Apple Websites
At the center of this evolution toward AI laptops are highly integrated PMICs and LED drivers. LED drivers for display backlighting account for a significant portion of total system power consumption, and their ability to precisely control high-resolution and high-brightness panels directly affects overall product quality. In addition, PMICs, which enable stable power supply while reducing power loss, play a critical role in battery life and thermal management. Accordingly, companies are moving beyond simply adopting individual components and are instead implementing integrated designs that consider power management strategies from the chip design stage.
In Korea, Ratel Semiconductor Co., Ltd. (CEO: Soon-gu Park) is a representative company responding to these changes. Ratel Semiconductor directly designs high-efficiency LED drivers and PMIC circuits for on-device AI laptops and has strengths in precise current waveform control, EMI minimization, and heat suppression structures. Through these technologies, the company enables precise control of hundreds of LEDs required for high-resolution panels. In recognition of its technological capabilities, the company recently succeeded in raising Pre-A funding, with the amount undisclosed.
[Fig] Ratel Semiconductor Co., Ltd.’s PMIC and High-Efficiency LED Driver
※Source: Ratel Semiconductor Co., Ltd. Website
In the era of AI laptops, high-efficiency LED driver and PMIC technologies are essential core technologies for system optimization and improved user experience, making a clear patent strategy particularly important.
Patent portfolios should be structured around key categories such as high-precision current control, heat dissipation, EMI reduction, PMIC and LED driver integration, power efficiency improvements including extended battery life, AI optimization for on-device computing, and panel interfaces compatible with OLED and Mini LED displays. Patents corresponding to each category should also be secured.
In particular, it is important to secure core patents that can block competitors from entering the market, including EMI-reduction multi-switching circuits, constant-current compensation circuits for multichannel LED drivers, and multistage power distribution control circuits that respond to AI workloads. The portfolio should then be expanded with application patents designed to encourage adoption by customers such as laptop manufacturers, including high-efficiency LED driver interfaces for OLED panels and battery control algorithms based on predicted NPU workloads.
The BLT Patent & Law Firm Research Center stated, “LED driver and low-power semiconductor technologies related to AI PCs are expected to create new opportunities for companies.” It added, “Securing rights to various technologies related to LED drivers and low-power semiconductors is expected to be an effective strategy.”
As of 2025, BLT Patent & Law Firm has been selected by more than 2,000 innovative startups as a partner, supporting corporate growth and success through IP acquisition, response strategy development, investment attraction, and IP-based business support such as technology-specialized listings.
#AILaptop #PMIC #LEDDriver #RatelSemiconductor #LowPowerSemiconductor #OnDeviceAI #PowerEfficiency #BatteryLife #AIPC #Intel #AMD #Copilot #CopilotPlusPC #PowerManagementInnovation
AI is now moving “inside the laptop.” Since the second half of 2024, global semiconductor companies, including Intel and AMD, have begun launching “AI PC” laptops equipped with neural processing units (NPUs) dedicated to AI computation as standard features. Microsoft has also announced plans to expand user-centric on-device AI experiences through its Copilot+ PC brand. Laptops are becoming thinner and lighter, while simultaneously being required to handle greater computational workloads and higher display resolutions. Ultimately, all of these functions depend on power management technology.
[Fig] AI PCs Released by Intel and AMD ※Source: Intel and AMD Websites
AI laptops require a power distribution architecture fundamentally different from that of conventional laptops. This is because AI laptops incorporate CPUs, GPUs, and NPUs simultaneously, use high-resolution OLED and Mini LED panels, and support increasingly complex user-centered multitasking environments. In particular, battery efficiency and heat generation have emerged as key factors affecting the user experience, rapidly increasing the importance of PMICs (Power Management Integrated Circuits) and high-efficiency LED driver technologies. Intel and AMD are advancing their proprietary AI SoCs (Systems on Chip), while Apple is strengthening its independent ecosystem through the M3 chip and a high-efficiency power management architecture.
[Fig] Chips Designed with High-Efficiency Power Management Architectures by Intel, AMD, and Apple
※Source: Intel, AMD, and Apple Websites
At the center of this evolution toward AI laptops are highly integrated PMICs and LED drivers. LED drivers for display backlighting account for a significant portion of total system power consumption, and their ability to precisely control high-resolution and high-brightness panels directly affects overall product quality. In addition, PMICs, which enable stable power supply while reducing power loss, play a critical role in battery life and thermal management. Accordingly, companies are moving beyond simply adopting individual components and are instead implementing integrated designs that consider power management strategies from the chip design stage.
In Korea, Ratel Semiconductor Co., Ltd. (CEO: Soon-gu Park) is a representative company responding to these changes. Ratel Semiconductor directly designs high-efficiency LED drivers and PMIC circuits for on-device AI laptops and has strengths in precise current waveform control, EMI minimization, and heat suppression structures. Through these technologies, the company enables precise control of hundreds of LEDs required for high-resolution panels. In recognition of its technological capabilities, the company recently succeeded in raising Pre-A funding, with the amount undisclosed.
[Fig] Ratel Semiconductor Co., Ltd.’s PMIC and High-Efficiency LED Driver
※Source: Ratel Semiconductor Co., Ltd. Website
In the era of AI laptops, high-efficiency LED driver and PMIC technologies are essential core technologies for system optimization and improved user experience, making a clear patent strategy particularly important.
Patent portfolios should be structured around key categories such as high-precision current control, heat dissipation, EMI reduction, PMIC and LED driver integration, power efficiency improvements including extended battery life, AI optimization for on-device computing, and panel interfaces compatible with OLED and Mini LED displays. Patents corresponding to each category should also be secured.
In particular, it is important to secure core patents that can block competitors from entering the market, including EMI-reduction multi-switching circuits, constant-current compensation circuits for multichannel LED drivers, and multistage power distribution control circuits that respond to AI workloads. The portfolio should then be expanded with application patents designed to encourage adoption by customers such as laptop manufacturers, including high-efficiency LED driver interfaces for OLED panels and battery control algorithms based on predicted NPU workloads.
The BLT Patent & Law Firm Research Center stated, “LED driver and low-power semiconductor technologies related to AI PCs are expected to create new opportunities for companies.” It added, “Securing rights to various technologies related to LED drivers and low-power semiconductors is expected to be an effective strategy.”
As of 2025, BLT Patent & Law Firm has been selected by more than 2,000 innovative startups as a partner, supporting corporate growth and success through IP acquisition, response strategy development, investment attraction, and IP-based business support such as technology-specialized listings.
#AILaptop #PMIC #LEDDriver #RatelSemiconductor #LowPowerSemiconductor #OnDeviceAI #PowerEfficiency #BatteryLife #AIPC #Intel #AMD #Copilot #CopilotPlusPC #PowerManagementInnovation