Wednesday, December 31, 2014

S. Korean and Taiwanese Companies Control 56% of Global 300mm Fab Capacity

Vast majority of that wafer capacity is local to those two countries.


Information in this Research Bulletin comes from the Global Wafer Capacity 2015-2019 Report, which was released this month.  The new report provides great detail regarding the current status and forecast of global wafer fab capacity.  More information found at the end of this bulletin.


South Korean and Taiwanese chip companies are well known for manufacturing prowess when it comes to efficiently fabricating huge amounts of IC wafers.  Most of the IC industry’s biggest fab facilities are located in these two countries.  Because of their fab operation and wafer fabricating expertise, IC companies headquartered in South Korea and Taiwan lead the way in capital-intensive segments of the IC industry such as high-unit-volume products like DRAM and flash memory or foundry services making ICs for companies without fabs and a growing number of companies with fabs.


Figure 1 shows that South Korea-based companies Samsung and SK Hynix currently account for 35% of global 300mm wafer capacity.  Samsung alone controls about 24% of all the world’s 300mm capacity.  When looking at 300mm wafer capacity according to fab location instead of headquarters location, 28% of worldwide capacity is in South Korea.  Samsung and SK Hynix both own big 300mm fabs outside of South Korea.  In fact, SK Hynix’s largest fab is in China.  Samsung also has a 300mm fab in China as well as two in the U.S.


Global 300mm Fab Capacity Report


Global 300mm Fab Capacity

Figure 1


Taiwanese companies currently manage 21% of the world’s 300mm capacity, with about 85% of that capacity being committed to foundry services.  The remaining 15% of Taiwan-controlled 300mm capacity is mostly used to produce memory devices.  The vast majority of the 300mm wafer capacity in Taiwan is owned by Taiwanese companies, with the only exception being the 300mm capacity that U.S.-based Micron gets from its Inotera joint-venture with Nanya and its wholly owned fab in Taichung acquired in 2013.  There is only one Taiwanese-controlled 300mm fab located outside of Taiwan and that is UMC’s fab in Singapore.


Figure 1 also shows that even though 15% of the world’s 300mm wafer capacity is located in the North America, 28% of global 300mm capacity is controlled by companies with North American headquarters.  Two other noticeable share differences in the comparison are in China and the ROW region, which in this case is essentially just Singapore and Israel.  The vast majority of 300mm wafer capacity in China and ROW is controlled by foreign companies.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site. View the report: Global Wafer Capacity 2015-2019.


 



S. Korean and Taiwanese Companies Control 56% of Global 300mm Fab Capacity

Optical Transceivers Markets to Reach $9.9 Billion by 2020

ELECTRONICS.CA PUBLICATIONS announces the availability of a new report entitled “Optical Transceivers: Market Shares, Strategy, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2014 to 2020″. The global optical transceivers markets at $3.2 billion in 2013 is anticipated to grow to $9.9 billion by 2020 driven by the availability and cost effectiveness of 40 Gbps, 100 Gbps, and 400 Gbps devices. Next generation devices use less power, are less expensive, and are smaller. The adoption of widespread use of the 100 Gbps devices, and the vast increases in Internet traffic are core to change in the communications infrastructure markets. The vendors in the optical transceivers industry have to invest in high-quality technology and processes. The development of innovative products is essential to keeping and growing market share.


High-speed serial transceivers form the backbone of networks. Communications, servers and many other electronic systems depend on high-speed serial transceivers. Global adoption of the Internet is driving rapid growth of the mega datacenter. Data centers support online commerce, streaming video, social networking, and cloud services. Software as a Service (SaaS) is a primary offering.


Leading vendors offer a broad product selection. They are positioned with innovative technology. Optical module manufacturers address the needs of all major networking equipment vendors worldwide. Leading vendors have taken a leading role in transforming the data communications and tele-communications equipment market.


The shift has been away from utilizing discrete optical components to leveraging the design and pay-as-you-grow flexibility offered by pluggable modules. Optical transceiver products are compliant with Ethernet, Fibre Channel, SONET/SDH/OTN and PON standards. They generally operate at data rates of 10 Gb/s, 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s.


Transmitter / Transceivers are capable of distances ranging from very short reach within a datacenter to campus, access, metro, and long-haul reaches. They feature outstanding performance. Units work over extended voltage and temperature ranges. They are positioned to minimize jitter, electromagnetic interference (EMI) and power dissipation.


Optical transceiver components are an innovation engine for the network. Optical transceiver components support and enable low-cost transport throughout the network. Optical transceivers are needed for high speed network infrastructure build-outs. These are both for carriers and data centers. Network infrastructure build-out depends on the availability of consultants who are knowledgeable.


Consultants with extensive experience are needed to bring optical component network design, installation, upgrade and maintenance into development. Optical components are being used to equip data centers, FTTx, metro access or core networks. They are used for long-haul and WAN.


A palette of pluggable optical transceivers includes GBIC, SFP, XFP, SFP+, X2, CFP form factors. These are able to accommodate a wide range of link spans. Vendors work closely with network planners and infrastructure managers to design high speed optical transport systems.


According to Susan Eustis, lead author of the WinterGreen Research team that prepared the study, “The DP-QPSK is the industry-backed modulation scheme for 100Gbps. Commonality between 40Gbps and 100Gbps coherent designs bring a design choice to the issue is relative costs. The economics of 40 Gbps versus 100 Gbps coherent are matters of comparison. If users buy 40 Gbps and an economical 100 Gbps coherent design appears, 40 Gbps coherent get the required market traction to create economies of scale that market the 40Gbps devices viable in the market.”


Designers are shrinking existing 40Gbps modules, boosting 40Gbps system capacity. The 300-pin LFF transponder, at 7×5 inch, requires its own line card. Two system line cards are needed for a 40Gbps link: one for the short-reach, client-side interface and one for the line-side transponder.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site.  View the report:  Optical Transceivers: Market Shares, Strategy, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2014 to 2020“.


 



Optical Transceivers Markets to Reach $9.9 Billion by 2020

Strong Investments in Life Sciences R&D Drives Market Demand for Spectroscopy Equipment and Accessories

Global market for Spectroscopy Equipment and Accessories is projected to reach US$19.5 billion by 2020, driven by increasing use of spectrometers in life science research, growing number of end-use applications, and rising demand for handheld instruments. Spectroscopy represents a key market in the global analytical and life science instrument industry. Demand from various industries such as metals, chemicals, semiconductors and automotive is expected to drive growth in the market in the coming years.


Especially poised to spur growth is the increasing demand from security and defense industries. Handheld molecular spectroscopy systems are especially expected to find lucrative applications in military security applications. Advancements in the field of drug discovery, metabolomics and pharmacogenomics, also bodes well for the market’s future outlook. Spending on environment and effluent monitoring equipment, over the last few years, witnessed significant increase with the tightening of effluent regulations by local governments. The scenario benefited demand for spectrometry equipment. Government stimulus initiatives have played instrumental roles in supporting demand for spectroscopy instruments not only in North America but also in emerging countries in Latin America, India, and China.


Mass spectrometry is a rapidly growing market worldwide supported by the rising use of the technology in the food safety, pharmaceuticals and proteomics industries. Several new products have been launched in this space, reflecting the rapid rate of technological innovation in areas such as Q-TOF, LC/MS and triple quadrupole. Cutting edge new generation mass spectrometry devices with better quantitative and qualitative capabilities, efficiency and productivity, are finding use in newer applications, thus benefitting market growth.


Miniaturization of spectrometry devices represents a key trend which brought about a major revolution in mid 1990s and still continues to drive product development efforts worldwide. Miniature spectrometers have played a crucial role in the development and growth of the photonics sector. Fiber-optic-based spectrometers given their compact size, strength and low cost, find diverse on-field applications enabling researchers to take their research out of the laboratory for more productive results.


As stated by the new market research report on Spectroscopy Equipment and Accessories, the United States represents the largest market worldwide. Asia-Pacific ranks as the fastest growing market worldwide with a CAGR of 8.9% over the analysis period. Expanding research and industrial markets in China and India spell new opportunities for growth. Molecular spectroscopy represents the largest product market, while mass spectrometry devices will continue to spearhead global growth.


Major players covered in the report include AB SCIEX, Agilent Technologies Inc., Bruker Corporation, JEOL Ltd., Ocean Optics Inc., PerkinElmer Inc., Rigaku Corporation, Shimadzu Corporation, Spectris plc, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., and Waters Corporation among others.


Spectroscopy Equipment Industry Report Spectroscopy Equipment and Accessories – Global Strategic Business Report


The research report titled “Spectroscopy Equipment and Accessories – Global Strategic Business Report” provides a comprehensive review of market trends, drivers, and strategic industry activities of major companies worldwide. The report provides market estimates and projections in US dollars for all major geographic markets including the US, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China and Rest of Asia Pacific), Latin America and Rest of World. The report also analyzes the global market for Spectrometers and Spectrophoto/Fluorometers by product segments such as Molecular Spectroscopy (UV-Vis Spectrophotometers, Raman Spectrometers, NMR-EPR Spectrometers, Near Infrared (NIR) Spectrometers, IR Spectrometers, Color Measurement and Other Molecular Spectrometers); Atomic Spectroscopy (Ark/Spark Spectrometers, Plasma Spectrometers (ICP, ICP-MS), Atomic Absorption Spectrometers, XRD/XRF Spectrometers and Other Atomic Spectrometers); Mass Spectrometry (LC-MSGC-MS, MALDI-TOF and Other Mass Spectrometers); and Accessories.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site.   View the report: Spectroscopy Equipment and Accessories – Global Strategic Business Report.


 


 


 



Strong Investments in Life Sciences R&D Drives Market Demand for Spectroscopy Equipment and Accessories

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Can "Make in India" become sustainable for Indian Semiconductor manufacturing sector with coming macroeconomic changes in 2015?

The semiconductor manufacturing is most capital intensive business and it is very important to make these investments sustainable in short term in order to ensure profitability in long term. Sustainability of the semiconductor wafer fabs involves being able to keep the fabs in operation 24×7 to reduce the tool idle time and manufacturing semiconductor wafers that meet the growing demand for consumer electronics and military needs.


My recently released book “Mass Capitalism: A Blueprint for Economic Revival”, takes you through the journey of semiconductor manufacturing in U.S. semiconductor industry. The high cost of manufacturing and keeping track with the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) to keep up with progress of Moore’s law forced offshoring of IC packing industry, design engineering services and eventually even the manufacture of semiconductor wafers from United States to Asia. These policies of globalization have resulted in rising trade deficits for the U.S. The replacement of manufacturing sector with relatively low paying service sector jobs has resulted in falling incomes and depreciating middle class in the U.S.


In this way globalization of semiconductor manufacturing resulted into a loss of dominance of the U.S. semiconductor industry and started to make this capital intensive as well as knowledge intensive business unsustainable leading to an early demise of Moore’s law (due to economic limits because of huge capital investments) because of poor return on investments due to poor domestic consumer demand. Since the 2008 financial crisis, the U.S. has been trying to revive its economy by lowering its bench mark interest rates close to 0% and following Quantitative Easing (QE) policies to stimulate its economy. Instead of reviving the economy by boosting domestic consumer demand, the QE policies have instead resulted into growing income disparity as the wages of the middle class haven’t been growing to boost consumer demand.


The growth in domestic demand from increased consumer borrowing due to low interest rates is unsustainable as interest rates cannot remain low forever. Additionally, the low interest rates have not increased domestic investments in the U.S. and instead investors have preferred to get better returns on their investments by investing in countries with higher interest rates like India. Hence, Low bench mark interest rates in developed economies like U.S. and Europe have primarily benefited the wealthy individuals in helping them get cheaper loans on mortgage properties and helping them earn higher incomes through renting these properties. These monetary policies haven’t encouraged the easy money from QE to get invested in domestic economy as investors have preferred to invest for higher yields in countries like India. Hence, QE policies have not been able to solve the problem of unemployment in the U.S. and has mostly created low paying and part time jobs in U.S.


Now that the QE has come to an end and the Fed is on track to raise its rates in mid 2015, the following macroeconomic changes are certain. First, the rising bench mark interest rates will not be able to lure U.S. residents into increased borrowing for mortgaging cars and houses. Additionally, When interest rates rise, the investors who have invested for short term gains in countries like India will move their investments for higher yields to the U.S.. This would put a sudden strain on the Indian rupee (INR). Hence, the net result of rising rates in the US with present monetary policy would be a poor domestic consumer demand in U.S. from decreased borrowing and strain on economies of developing countries like India through rising inflation. These changes would cause a rise in value of USD and depreciation of INR.


The net result would be a rising inflation in India as investors looking for better gains would rush to U.S. for higher returns. The largest withholders of U.S. FOREX viz. China has signed currency swap deals with its major trading partners and performs transactions in Yuan instead of USD. Hence, although USD will rise from foreign investments, U.S. will not be able to reduce its trade deficits through exports as US manufactured goods would become expensive in international markets. As there will be no major buyers for US debt due to bypassing of USD by major withholders of US Forex like China and Russia, the only way ahead forward for the Fed is to reform its current monetary policy so that wages keep track with employee productivity which would reduce US budget deficits. The U.S. has also recently imposed huge tariffs on solar goods from China and Taiwan to boost its domestic manufacturing. Eventually, U.S. will also have to impose tariffs on all foreign goods entering the U.S. to eliminate its trade deficits for revival of domestic manufacturing industry. Without reforming its trade and monetary policies to reduce its trade and budget deficits, any rise in value of USD with rise in Fed’s bench mark interest rates would result into an increase in US twin deficits which would also cause an increase in supply of goods into the an economy, which is suffering from a poor economic demand. This would cause a crash in profits of those corporations when their manufactured goods remain unsold and thereby also crashing the US stock market.


Taking these macroeconomic changes into consideration, India has following things to worry about its “Make in India” plan. The plan to lure foreign investors into India to make India a global semiconductor manufacturing hub like China could fail, if any of these investors are looking for short term gains, as semiconductor investments are long term strategic investments. These investments pay off for any country over a long term and not a short term investments that yield a quick return on investments like financial sector of today’s economy. Hence, Just like TSMC Inc. gets its financial backing from government of Taiwan, Samsung Inc. gets its financial backing from government of South Korea and Globalfoundries Inc. gets backing from government of Abu Dhabi, the upcoming Indian semiconductor fabs should also be sponsored with backing of government of India to make these capital intensive investments sustainable. This approach would minimize any chances of these capital intensive investments becoming unsustainable when investors move their investments out of India for their short term gains due to rise in US interest rates.


These huge capital investments into semiconductor wafer fabs can become sustainable only if there is a solid economic demand for these semiconductor wafers in Indian electronics industry because the economic demand is presently slowing in developing economies. However, If Indian government policies do not encourage consumption of domestic manufactured products and hence if import of foreign manufactured goods continue due to India’s Free trade policies, the trade deficits of India will continue to soar. The government recently passed some strict guidelines to all ministries asking them to give preference to domestically manufactured electronic products. This is a positive step forward aimed at boosting electronics production as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” drive. If trade deficits are allowed to soar, these deficits will put a further strain on already troubled INR. Additionally, the products manufactured by Indian fabs will get consumed domestically only if the wages of Indian citizens keep track with their productivity. This free market monetary policy would also ensure a robust consumer demand for electronic goods in order to keep the fabs in operation 24×7 thereby reducing the idle time of tools. The potential of fabless semiconductor ecosystem in its ability to grow small businesses should be adopted by “Make in India” movement. In this process several macroeconomic reforms should also be advocated because an absence of these macroeconomic reforms have made the fabless semiconductor ecosystem unsustainable for the U.S. contributing to its twin (trade and budget) deficits.


To ensure a good return on its investments by being able to create domestic jobs and to minimize the job loses in economic downturns, a three tier fabless semiconductor business model with decentralized supply chains as proposed in “Mass Capitalism: A Blueprint for Economic Revival” should be adopted by Indian semiconductor industry. This would usher in a competitive free market balanced economy and help Indian economy transition from a developing economy to a developed economy. The trade and budget deficits would be eliminated and ever increasing huge capital investments would make this highly capital intensive business not just sustainable but also very profitable. This is a free market approach to make the investments in semiconductor fabs a success so that India can keep its 2020 projected $400 billion account deficits under control and ensure that its semiconductor manufacturing sector is able to keep track with progress of Moore’s law.


Economy also moves in a systaltic fashion and never in a straight line. Due to this systaltic motion, internal clash and cohesion take places giving rise of economic cycles. The ups and downs of socio-economic life in different phases are sure to take place due to this systaltic principle. Having a balanced economic model will also eliminate the problem of unemployment in economic downturns. In this way excess government spending in economic downturns can be eliminated achieving a true free market economic model for semiconductor industry.


About Apek Mulay


Apek Mulay is CEO of Mulay’s Consultancy Services, a senior analyst and macroeconomist in the United States semiconductor industry and author of the new book, “Mass Capitalism: A Blueprint for Economic Revival.” He attended the University of Mumbai in India and later completed his master’s degree in electronics engineering at Texas Tech University. Mulay is the author of the patent “Surface Imaging with Materials Identified by Colors” during his employment at Texas Instruments Inc., and he has chaired technical sessions at International Symposium for Testing and Failure Analysis (ISTFA) for consecutive years. The U.S. government approved his permanent residency under the category of foreign nationals with extraordinary abilities in science and technologies. www.ApekMulay.com



Can "Make in India" become sustainable for Indian Semiconductor manufacturing sector with coming macroeconomic changes in 2015?

Monday, December 29, 2014

Global Market for Alternative Solar Technologies

ELECTRONICS.CA PUBLICATIONS announces the availability of a new report entitled “Alternative Photovoltaic Solar Cell Technologies: Global Markets”. According to this report, the global market for alternative solar technologies was valued at $12.6 billion in 2012. This market is estimated to grow to more than $22.8 billion by the end of 2018 from a value of about $13.9 billion in 2013, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5% for the five-year period, 2013 to 2018.Worldwide interest in renewable energy technologies continues to see strong growth each year, with great amounts of effort and financial resources dedicated to research and development (R&D) of many different technologies. While the renewable energies industry has seen turbulence and consolidation globally over recent years due to myriad external and internal factors, the outlook remains positive – especially so for alternative solar energy technology applications.


Solar energy technologies continue to see strong investment due to the promise of a continually renewable source of energy from our own sun. Predictability of annual and seasonal cloud cover in most parts of the world, strong solar irradiance in many regions of the world, and the associated regular cash flows that solar projects can thus produce in these areas are some of the attractive features of market-competitive solar technology.


Much of the general public is familiar at a basic level with the most well-known solar energy application: photovoltaic (PV) modules. A solar PV module is a collection of solar PV cells, and is typically constructed of a hard substrate with solar cells on top and a layer of glass capping the solar cells.


The bulk of solar PV cells and modules that are currently produced on a global scale are of the crystalline silicon (abbreviated as c-Si; may be either monocrystalline or polycrystalline) cell type technology. The great majority – approximately 85% – of the nearly 30 gigawatts-peak (GWp) of annual (2012) solar PV production represents c-Si technologies, and more than 100 GW of solar PV generative capacity installed worldwide.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site. View the report: “Alternative Photovoltaic Solar Cell Technologies: Global Markets“.



Global Market for Alternative Solar Technologies

Flip Chip Technologies Market to Reach $36.5 Billion by 2018

Flip chip technology has enabled electronics to reach new levels of performance, while fueling the growth of global markets for semiconductors, electronic devices, and a host of industrial and consumer products. Technological advances, shrinking chip size,  improved thermal heat transfer, and increasing use in communication and other devices are expected to drive significant near-term growth. Flip chip technologies market was valued at $18.9 billion in 2012 and is estimated at $20.1 billion for 2013.  According to a new study, “Flip-Chip Technologies and Global Markets“, this market is expected to grow to nearly $36.5 billion by 2018, and register a five-year compound annual growth rate of 12.7% from 2013 to 2018.


Use this report to:


  • Gain an overview of the global market for flip-chip technologies, a process to interconnect IC’s and other microelectronics devices to the external circuitry by means of a solder bumping process deposit on pads.

  • Analyze global market trends, with data from 2012, estimates for 2013, and projections of CAGRs for the period, 2013 to 2018.

  • Examine the evolution, architecture, and value chain of flip-chip technologies.

  • Assess the flip-chip assembly market by geography, including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and others.

  • Evaluate coverage of the competitive landscape, including mergers and acquisitions, collaborations and agreements, and new product development.

  • Review comprehensive company profiles of major players in the industry.


Flip Chip Technologies Market to Reach $36.5 Billion by 2018

Friday, December 26, 2014

Global Ultracapacitors Market Analysis

ELECTRONICS.CA PUBLICATIONS announces the availability of a new report entitled “Supercapacitor / Ultracapacitor Interviews, Strategies, Road Map 2014-2025“.  Traditionally, rechargeable batteries have been used as energy dense products and the other devices based on capacitors have been used as power dense products. There are more-power-dense versions of the favourite rechargeable batteries – lithium-ion with 70% or so of the rechargeable battery market in 2023. 


Unfortunately, power dense rechargeable batteries surrender a lot of energy density. It is therefore helpful that more and more energy dense supercapacitors and variants are becoming available, some even matching lead acid batteries and yet retaining excellent power density.


This convergence of properties has led to the widespread combination of the two in parallel, particularly in power applications. Battery/supercapacitor combinations approach the performance of an ideal battery – something that can never be achieved with a battery alone because its chemical reactions cause movement, swelling and eventually irreversability. In some cases, things have gone further. For example, hybrid buses using supercapacitors now rarely use them across the traction battery – the supercapacitor replaces the battery, the only battery remaining in the vehicle being a small lead-acid starter battery.


There is now almost a continuum of devices between conventional electrolytic capacitors and rechargeable batteries as we explain in the report. The analysis of 80 manufacturers and putative manufacturers reveals, for example, how battery manufacturers and conventional capacitor manufacturers are entering the business of devices intermediate between the two. However, rather surprisingly, most of the intermediate devices are developed and manufactured by companies not in either conventional capacitors or batteries. Although we use the term intermediate devices, some have some properties superior to both conventional capacitors and rechargeable batteries.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site. View the report:  “Supercapacitor / Ultracapacitor Interviews, Strategies, Road Map 2014-2025



Global Ultracapacitors Market Analysis

Semiconductor Automated Test Equipment Business Report

Electronics.ca Publications announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Semiconductor Automated Test Equipment (ATE) markets. Global market for Semiconductor ATE is forecast to reach US$4.3 billion by 2020, spurred by strong chip fabrication activity against a backdrop of growing demand for electronic chips in consumer, industrial, automotive and medical electronics.


Demand for semiconductor ATE is intrinsically linked to the level of semiconductor fabrication activity, which in turn is largely influenced by the health of the global electronics industry. After a major setback during the 2007-2009 recession period, the global semiconductor ATE market made a strong rebound in the year 2010. The recovery soon after was however marred by weak financial climate in Europe and natural calamities in Japan, which disrupted the global supply chain. Rising cost of production, price sensitive end-use markets and the resulting shrinking profit margins accelerated the consolidation trend among semiconductor ATE vendors. Steadily recovering global economic growth, strong gains in manufacturing and PMI performance, are however expected to drive growth in the coming years. Need for additional capacity, as a result of increased outsourcing of fabrication activity, is resulting in increased investments in new fab constructions in Asia, which in turn is expected to drive demand for semiconductor ATE.


Fabrication companies are under constant pressure to employ latest technology to design and manufacture advanced ICs to meet the complexity challenges of silicon chips as they grow in performance in parallel with the Moore’s Law. Semiconductor ATE, under this scenario is assuming increasing importance. The software centric approach to automated testing is expected to emerge as a game changer in the ATE industry, with vendors increasingly using software as a tool for differentiating product offerings. Miniaturization, digitalization and high-speed computing represent trends in the electronics industry which are benefiting the market for semiconductor ATE. Increase in demand for ASICs and NAND flash memory devices as a result of growing adoption of tablet PCs and smartphones, increase in DRAM sales in line with resurgence in demand for PCs also continues to induce strong demand for semiconductors and semiconductor production equipment including ATE.


Boundary Scan (BS) ATE, also known as BS controllers, and functional ATEs are driving growth in the PCB ATE market. The telecom industry is currently a hotbed for innovation, with demand for testing instruments anticipated to rise supported by increased R&D spending on wireless technologies for next-gen solutions. Robust demand for SoCs for use in portable communication devices is additionally anticipated to continue to spur growth in the global semiconductor ATE market. FPGA based DSPs is fast becoming a mainstay for advanced RF Test equipment with user programmable measurement algorithms on FPGA expected to take T&M instruments to the next level. PLX and other on-chip testing technologies are gaining popularity among fabricators across the globe.


As stated by the new market research report on Semiconductor Automated Test Equipment (ATE), Taiwan represents the single largest regional market worldwide. The country also represents one of the fastest growing markets with a CAGR of 7.2% over the analysis period.


Major players covered in the report include Advantest Corporation, Aeroflex Inc., AMC Technology LLC, Astronics Test Systems Inc., Chroma ATE Inc., CREA (Collaudi Elettronici Automatizzati S.r.l.), LTX-Credence Corporation, Marvin Test Solutions Inc., National Instruments Corporation , Roos Instruments Inc., STAr Technologies Inc., and Teradyne Inc.


The research report titled “Semiconductor Automated Test Equipment (ATE): A Global Strategic Business Report” provides a comprehensive review of market trends, growth drivers, technological trends, major challenges, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities. The report provides market estimates and projections for major geographic markets including the US, Japan, Europe, China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Rest of World.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site.  View the report:Semiconductor Automated Test Equipment (ATE): A Global Strategic Business Report”.


 



Semiconductor Automated Test Equipment Business Report

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Home Audio Equipment Market Report

ELECTRONICS.CA PUBLICATIONS announces the availability of a comprehensive global report on Home Audio Equipment markets. Global market for Home Audio Equipment is projected to reach US$21 billion by 2020, driven by continued technological advancements, increasing consumer preference for high quality audio, and declining average unit prices of audio products.


Home Audio Equipment represents a huge market after television in the consumer electronics industry. Factors propelling growth in the industry include incessant developmental of innovative products with technologically advanced features and growing consumer preference for high quality audio products. Consumers are increasingly preferring audio systems with superior visual appearance, innovative features, and enhanced aesthetic design. Demand is on rise for portable audio equipment that integrate USB drives and have the capability to stream high-quality audio content from the Internet. Developments in digital technology in tandem with changing media options from traditional systems to contemporary systems such as speaker docks and soundbars for audio playback are also contributing towards market growth.


Device networking and streaming are emerging trends in the home audio market. The market for networked home audio devices is expected to surge during the analysis period, driven by networked speakers and dedicated speaker docks. Although networked devices represent a relatively small share in these markets at present, the coming years are forecast to witness strong growth. Another key trend in the market is the increasing demand for wireless systems that connect multiple devices wirelessly. The market for wireless devices is driven by growing customers’ penchant for unrestricted mobility, high quality sound, and appealing designs. The market is expected to gain from continuous decline in average unit prices of audio products, mainly due to improvements in production technologies that help reduce manufacturing costs.


As stated by the new market research report on Home Audio Equipment, the United States represents the single largest market worldwide. Growth in the market is led by technology developments, and increased consumer spending on audio components in tandem with rise in unit sales of flat-panel high definition televisions as a result of falling prices. Asia-Pacific is forecast to emerge as the fastest growing market with a CAGR of 4.9% in volume terms over the analysis period. Rapid economic growth, and increasing disposable incomes in most Asian countries are driving sales of home audio equipment in the region. Home radios represents the largest product market in volume terms, while Home Theater in a Box (HTiB) ranks the fastest growing market.


Major players covered in the report include Bose Corporation, Boston Acoustics, Creative Technologies Ltd., Harman International Industries Inc., LG Electronics, Koninklijke (“Royal”) Philips Electronics NV, Onkyo Corporation, Pioneer Corporation, Polk Audio, Samsung Group, Sonos, Inc., Sony Corporation and VOXX International Corporation among others.


The research report titled “Home Audio Equipment: A Global Strategic Business Report” provides a comprehensive review of market trends, drivers, and strategic industry activities of major companies worldwide. The report provides market estimates and projections in thousand units and million dollars for all major geographic markets including the US, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India and Rest of Asia Pacific), Middle East & Africa, and Latin America (Brazil and Rest of Latin America). The report also analyzes the global and regional markets for Home Audio Equipment by product segments such as Home Audio Systems, Home Audio Separate Components, Home Theater in a Box and Home Radios.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site. View the report: Home Audio Equipment: A Global Strategic Business Report.



Home Audio Equipment Market Report

Analysis and Forecast of Nanomaterials for Electronics

According to a new market study, Nanomaterials for Solar Cells, Displays, Sensors, Lighting and RFID Market Analyses and Driving Forces, there is a myriad of applications using nanoparticles either on the market or under development. Considerable effort is being put into developing advanced defense applications for nanomaterials, which are unlikely to reach deployment for quite a few years to come but which could have a large impact on commercial applications. The scope and number of applications for nanoparticles continues to grow and companies are finding more and more uses for these materials.


The use of nanoparticles is set to escalate and the market has the potential to increase dramatically over the next ten years as more uses for these materials are developed and commercialized.


Nanomaterials are establishing themselves as a way forward for printed electronics in a number of ways. Inks using metallic nanoparticles promise higher conductivities and lower curing temperatures, nanosilicon inks may prove the best route to printed silicon, and carbon nanotube inks open up interesting new possibilities for ITO replacements, lighting and displays.


Nano materials will solve many of the business and technical challenges facing the electronics industry – particularly displays and semiconductors


Reproducibility and control are major areas of focus in the manufacture of revolutionary nanoelectronic materials


  • Manufacturing and purification processes for CNT and nano wires that offers high purity, control of properties, reliability and low cost

  • Designer molecules for self-assembly

  • Designer molecules and nano composites for packaging materials

Technology from other industries is being leveraged in the development of new or revolutionary materials


The value of materials will have much higher intellectual property content in the near future and the value of materials will increase in the next 5 years


The creation of new nanomaterials and their fabrication at the nanometer scale are the key technologies required for the development and applications of next generation miniaturized and versatile electronics and photonics devices.


We can define nanomaterials as those which have nanostructured components with at (less than 100nm).


  • Materials with one dimension in the nanoscale are layers, such as a thin films or surface coatings.

  • Materials that are nanoscale in two dimensions are nanowires and nanotubes.

  • Materials that are nanoscale in three dimensions are particles quantum dots (tiny particles of semiconductor materials). Nanocrystalline materials, made up of nanometer-sized grains, also fall into this category.

Two principal factors cause the properties of nanomaterials to differ significantly from other materials: increased relative surface area, and quantum effects. These factors can change or enhance properties such as reactivity, strength and electrical properties, and optical characteristics.


Nanomaterial in one dimension


One-dimensional nanomaterials, such as thin films and engineered surfaces, have been developed and used for decades in fields such as electronic device manufacture, chemistry and engineering. In the silicon integrated-circuit industry, for example, many devices rely on thin films for their operation, and control of film thicknesses approaching the atomic level is routine. Monolayers (layers that are one atom or molecule deep) are also routinely made and used in chemistry. The formation and properties of these layers are reasonably well understood from the atomic level upwards, even in quite complex layers (such as lubricants). Advances are being made in the control of the composition and smoothness of surfaces, and the growth of films.


Engineered surfaces with tailored properties such as large surface area or specific reactivity are used routinely in a range of applications such as in fuel cells and catalysts. The large surface area provided by nanoparticles, together with their ability to self assemble on a support surface, could be of use in all of these applications.


Although they represent incremental developments, surfaces with enhanced properties should find applications throughout the chemicals and energy sectors. The benefits could surpass the obvious economic and resource savings achieved by higher activity and greater selectivity in reactors and separation processes, to enabling small-scale distributed processing (making chemicals as close as possible to the point of use). There is already a move in the chemical industry towards this. Another use could be the small-scale, on-site production of high value chemicals such as pharmaceuticals.


Nanomaterials in two dimensions


Two dimensional nanomaterials such as tubes and wires have generated considerable interest among the scientific community in recent years. In particular, their novel electrical and mechanical properties are the subject of intense research.


a) Carbon Nanotubes


Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were first observed in 1991. CNTs are extended tubes of rolled graphene sheets. There are two types of CNT: single-walled (one tube) or multi-walled (several concentric tubes). Both of these are typically a few nanometers in diameter and several micrometers to centimeters long. CNTs have assumed an important role in the context of nanomaterials, because of their novel chemical and physical properties. They are mechanically very strong (their Young’s modulus is over 1 terapascal, making CNTs as stiff as diamond), flexible (about their axis), and can conduct electricity extremely well (the helicity of the graphene sheet determines whether the CNT is a semiconductor or metallic). All of these remarkable properties give CNTs a range of potential applications: for example, in reinforced composites, sensors, nanoelectronics and display devices.


b) Inorganic Nanotubes


Inorganic nanotubes and inorganic fullerene-like materials based on layered compounds such as molybdenum disulphide were discovered shortly after CNTs. They have excellent tribological (lubricating) properties, resistance to shockwave impact, catalytic reactivity, and high capacity for hydrogen and lithium storage, which suggest a range of promising applications. Oxide-based nanotubes (such as titanium dioxide) are being explored for their applications in catalysis, photo-catalysis and energy storage.


c) Nanowires


Nanowires are ultrafine wires or linear arrays of dots, formed by self-assembly. They can be made from a wide range of materials. Semiconductor nanowires made of silicon, gallium nitride and indium phosphide have demonstrated remarkable optical, electronic and magnetic characteristics (for example, silica nanowires can bend light around very tight corners). Nanowires have potential applications in high-density data storage, either as magnetic read heads or as patterned storage media, and electronic and opto-electronic nanodevices, for metallic interconnects of quantum devices and nanodevices. The preparation of these nanowires relies on sophisticated growth techniques, which include selfassembly processes, where atoms arrange themselves naturally on stepped surfaces, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) onto patterned substrates, electroplating or molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The ‘molecular beams’ are typically from thermally evaporated elemental sources.


d) Biopolymers


The variability and site recognition of biopolymers, such as DNA molecules, offer a wide range of opportunities for the self-organization of wire nanostructures into much more complex patterns. The DNA backbones may then, for example, be coated in metal. They also offer opportunities to link nano- and biotechnology in, for example, biocompatible sensors and small, simple motors. Such self-assembly of organic backbone nanostructures is often controlled by weak interactions, such as hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic, or van der Waals interactions (generally in aqueous environments) and hence requires quite different synthesis strategies to CNTs, for example. The combination of one-dimensional nanostructures consisting of biopolymers and inorganic compounds opens up a number of scientific and technological opportunities.


Nanoscale in three dimensions


a) Nanoparticles


Nanoparticles are often defined as particles of less than 100nm in diameter. We classify nanoparticles to be particles less than 100nm in diameter that exhibit new or enhanced size-dependent properties compared with larger particles of the same material. Nanoparticles exist widely in the natural world: for example as the products of photochemical and volcanic activity, and created by plants and algae. They have also been created for thousands of years as products of combustion and food cooking, and more recently from vehicle exhausts. Deliberately manufactured nanoparticles, such as metal oxides, are by comparison in the minority.


Nanoparticles are of interest because of the new properties (such as chemical reactivity and optical behavior) that they exhibit compared with larger particles of the same materials. For example, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide become transparent at the nanoscale, however are able to absorb and reflect UV light, and have found application in sunscreens. Nanoparticles have a range of potential applications: in the short-term in new cosmetics, textiles and paints; in the longer term, in methods of targeted drug delivery where they could be to used deliver drugs to a specific site in the body. Nanoparticles can also be arranged into layers on surfaces, providing a large surface area and hence enhanced activity, relevant to a range of potential applications such as catalysts.


Manufactured nanoparticles are typically not products in their own right, but generally serve as raw materials, ingredients or additives in existing products. Nanoparticles are currently in a small number of consumer products such as cosmetics and their enhanced or novel properties may have implications for their toxicity. For most applications, nanoparticles will be fixed (for example, attached to a surface or within in a composite) although in others they will be free or suspended in fluid. Whether they are fixed or free will have a significant affect on their potential health, safety and environmental impacts.


b) Fullerenes (carbon 60)


In the mid-1980s a new class of carbon material was discovered called carbon 60 (C60). The experimental chemists who discovered C60 named it “buckminsterfullerene”, in recognition of the architect Buckminster Fuller, who was well-known for building geodesic domes, and the term fullerenes was then given to any closed carbon cage. C60 are spherical molecules about 1nm in diameter, comprising 60 carbon atoms arranged as 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons: the configuration of a football. In 1990, a technique to produce larger quantities of C60 was developed by resistively heating graphite rods in a helium atmosphere. Several applications are envisaged for fullerenes, such as miniature ‘ball bearings’ to lubricate surfaces, drug delivery vehicles and in electronic circuits.


c) Dendrimers


Dendrimers are spherical polymeric molecules, formed through a nanoscale hierarchical self-assembly process. There are many types of dendrimer; the smallest is several nanometers in size. Dendrimers are used in conventional applications such as coatings and inks, but they also have a range of interesting properties which could lead to useful applications. For example, dendrimers can act as nanoscale carrier molecules and as such could be used in drug delivery. Environmental clean-up could be assisted by dendrimers as they can trap metal ions, which could then be filtered out of water with ultra-filtration techniques.


d) Quantum Dots


Nanoparticles of semiconductors (quantum dots) were theorized in the 1970s and initially created in the early 1980s. If semiconductor particles are made small enough, quantum effects come into play, which limit the energies at which electrons and holes (the absence of an electron) can exist in the particles. As energy is related to wavelength (or color), this means that the optical properties of the particle can be finely tuned depending on its size. Thus, particles can be made to emit or absorb specific wavelengths (colors) of light, merely by controlling their size. Recently, quantum dots have found applications in composites, solar cells (Gratzel cells) and fluorescent biological labels (for example to trace a biological molecule) which use both the small particle size and tunable energy levels. Recent advances in chemistry have resulted in the preparation of monolayer-protected, high-quality, monodispersed, crystalline quantum dots as small as 2nm in diameter, which can be conveniently treated and processed as a typical chemical reagent.


Eventually, nanomaterials are likely to affect nearly every industry in every region in the world, including the least developed regions. In fact, there is considerable optimism that nanomaterials will be instrumental in addressing some of the developing world’s most pressing concerns. Forecasts are presented to 2015.


Analysis and Forecast of Nanomaterials for Electronics


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web siteNanomaterials for Solar Cells, Displays, Sensors, Lighting and RFID Market Analyses and Driving Forces.



Analysis and Forecast of Nanomaterials for Electronics

Monday, December 22, 2014

Fuel Cells Industry Report

Electronics.ca Publications announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Fuel Cells markets. Global market for Fuel Cells is projected to reach US$8.5 billion by 2020, driven by growing concerns over climate change, government focus on reducing energy consumption, and increased R&D and commercial investments in efficient, eco-friendly clean energy technologies.


In an increasingly energy hungry world, poised to gain are technologies which are efficient and environmentally sustainable. Against this backdrop, fuel cell technologies are attractively positioned for growth. Fuel cells are touted as green, environment friendly alternative to traditionally polluting fossil fuel combustion technologies, with the only waste generated being in the form of water. Decades of refining developments in Alkali, Phosphoric Acid, Solid Oxide, Molten Carbonate, Proton Exchange Membrane PEM, and Direct Methanol (DMFC) based fuel cells have helped steadily expand applications of fuel cells. In addition to load leveling in electric utilities, fuel cells are today used to power electronic gadgets, automobiles, and traffic signaling systems, among others. The fuel cells market has been witnessing strong growth over the last few years, largely supported by advanced R&D activities and declining production costs as a result of advancements in component design, fabrication, and raw materials.


Sustainable energy generation is one among the key factors driving the adoption of fuel cell technology worldwide. Fuel cell technology holds the promise of strengthening and complementing energy security goals of countries worldwide by minimizing dependence on petroleum imports. Most governments across the world are initiating social programs for mass adoption of fuel cell systems. Global shipments of fuel cells are continuing to benefit from increased integration of fuel cells with other technologies such as solar, biogas, and wind. Despite the opportunities for growth, the market will continue to face challenges manifested in the form of technology glitches, engineering challenges, production bottlenecks, high prices, lack of standards, codes, high operating costs and capital requirements, and shortfalls on counts of durability and reliability as against conventional technologies. Technology penetration, in the long-term, nevertheless is expected to benefit from incremental technology improvements, rise in production volumes, and the ensuing realization of economies of scale and cost benefits. The ever-rising demand for energy and the overhanging thereat of energy crisis will help drive future growth and development of fuel cells.


Breakthrough advancements in fuel cell technology will help expand applications in traditionally difficult sectors, such as, transportation, automobiles (fuel-cell-powered vehicle), military and defense, and remote, premium and portable power applications. As centralized energy grids creak under the overload of demand surges and modern cities choke on vehicular emissions, energy generation and the automotive industry are poised to emerge into promising application areas for fuel cells of the future. With several governments across the world exhibiting Interest in zero pollution transportation, fuel cell buses are expected to be increasingly deployed in public transportation. The growing focus on intelligent transportation systems and sustainable mobility is poised to benefit deployment of fuel cell buses as mass transit buses.


As stated by the new market research report on Fuel Cells, Japan represents the largest market worldwide. Asia-Pacific ranks as the fastest growing market with a CAGR of 29.5% over the analysis period. Growth in the region is led by South Korea and China. Growing focus on renewable energy, strong government R&D support for green technologies including fuel cells, and targets for emission reduction set under the Kyoto protocol agreement, represent key factors driving growth in the region. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells are forecast to witness healthy growth given their suitability for primary as well as backup power applications in various end-use markets.


Major players in the market include Acumentrics Corp, AFC Energy PLC, Air Liquide, Apollo Energy Systems Inc., Areva Group, Ballard Power Systems Inc., Bloom Energy Corporation, Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd., Ceres Power Holdings Plc, ClearEdge Power Inc., Fuel Cell Energy Inc., Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies Pte. Ltd., Hydrogenics Corporation (Canada), ITM Power Plc, Lilliputian Systems Inc., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. Neah Power Systems Inc., Nuvera Fuel Cells Inc., Plug Power Inc., Palcan Energy Corporation, Proton OnSite, Protonex Technology Corp., RWE AG, SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG, Siemens Industry Inc., SiGNa Chemistry Inc., Teledyne Energy Systems Inc., and UltraCell LLC.


The research report titled “Fuel Cells – Global Strategic Business Report”, provides a comprehensive review of market trends, issues, drivers, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities. The report provides market estimates and projections for all major geographic markets such as the US, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, South Korea and Rest of Asia-Pacific) and Rest of World. Product segments analyzed include Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells, Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells, Alkaline Fuel Cells, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells and Other Fuel Cells.


Fuel Cells Industry ReportDetails of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site.  View the report: Fuel Cells – Global Strategic Business Report.


 



Fuel Cells Industry Report

Extensive Usage in MRI & NMR, Electronics, and R&D Sectors Drives the Global Superconductors Market

ELECTRONICS.CA PUBLICATIONS announces the availability of a comprehensive global report on Superconductors market. Global market for Superconductors is projected to exceed US$8.8 billion by 2020, driven by its extensive usage in MRI, electronics, science and R&D areas for developing environment-friendly and energy efficient solutions.


As a metallic alloy capable of allowing electrical current to flow through with zero loss of energy, superconductors represent an important electrical energy concept with utmost significance in the modern world. Superconductivity technology has been playing a vital role in the process of scientific research for applications in various commercial sectors. Superconducting materials are currently being widely used in MRI & Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), electronics, science and R&D areas for developing environment-friendly, and energy efficient solutions. However, the industry is presently focusing on developing new materials and designing new systems for expanding application possibilities for superconductors.


Low Temperature Superconductors (LTS) are the original form of superconductors that generally refer to Niobium-based alloy superconductors. These superconductors hold significant position in the global markets for various applications. Low Temperature Superconductors are also referred to as Technical Superconductors due to their applicability in engineering tasks. High Temperature Superconductors (HTS) offer ultra-low resistance instead of zero resistance. Superconductors market is poised to witness increased demand in the manufacture of electric power equipment such as generators, transformers, motors, fault current limiters (FCLs), energy storage and power cabling. HTS, in this regard, is poised to score the maximum gains, given its ability to enable the development of fault-tolerant transmission solutions.


MRI represents the most dominant end-use sector for the global superconductors market. In MRI equipment, superconducting magnets have been replacing copper magnets, because of the need for a strong magnetic field as well as stable image quality. Superconductor usage in MRI equipment] is expected to witness healthy growth, largely driven by the advancements in MRI technology and usage of MRI in newer applications such as identification of multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease, among others. There is high demand for superconducting wire in accelerators, where they are utilized in magnets for bending and focusing the particle beam and in detectors for separating the collision fragments. The use of superconductors in computers has the potential of substantially improving the performance, capacity, and speed of electronic devices and computers for household devices as well as supercomputers. Additional applications of superconductors include synchronous condensers, particle beam therapy, magnetic billet heaters, HTS filters for cellular communications systems, airborne generators, directed energy weapons and degaussing cables.


As stated by the new market research report on Superconductors, Asia-Pacific represents the largest global market of superconductors. The region is also the fastest growing regional market, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.6% over the analysis period. Emerging economies such as India and China are potential markets for the superconductor industry owing to the vast population and enormous energy consumption in these regions. Application areas such as rail transit systems in China are key potential markets for superconductors. China also ranks amongst the largest importers of advanced MRI machines owing to growing demand in the domestic healthcare sector as well as increased expenditure on public healthcare by the government.


Key players profiled in the report include Advanced Magnet Lab, American Superconductor Corp., BASF New Business, Beijing Innopower Superconductor Cable Co., Ltd., Bruker Corp., Deutsche Nanoschicht, Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Hyper Tech Research, Inc., Japan Superconductor Technology, Inc., LS Cable Ltd., Oxford Instruments Plc., Research Instruments GmbH, Southwire Company, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., and Superconductor Technologies, Inc., among others.


The research report titled “Superconductors: A Global Strategic Business Report”, provides a comprehensive review of market trends, issues, drivers, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities of global companies. The report provides market estimates and projections in dollars for all major geographic markets including the US, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and Rest of World. Product segments analyzed in the report include Low Temperature Superconductors, and High Temperature Superconductors. End-use applications analyzed in the report include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Research & Development, Electronics, and Others.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site.  View the report: SUPERCONDUCTORS – A GLOBAL STRATEGIC BUSINESS REPORT.



Extensive Usage in MRI & NMR, Electronics, and R&D Sectors Drives the Global Superconductors Market

Friday, December 19, 2014

Wireless Health and Fitness Devices Market Report


ELECTRONICS.CA PUBLICATIONS announces the availability of a new report entitled “Wireless Health and Fitness Devices – Global Strategic Business Report“.  Global market for Wireless Health and Fitness Devices is projected to reach 259 million units by 2020, driven by rising incidence of chronic diseases, increasing focus on healthcare cost rationalization, rising awareness among patients over the importance of continuous monitoring of vital biological parameters for effective disease management, and the growing trend of do-it-yourself healthcare with smartphones.


The increasingly stressful and busy modern lifestyle is resulting in rising prevalence of lifestyle disorders such as obesity, blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, sleep apnea, ischemic diseases, hypertension, and cardiac arrhythmia. Rapid aging world population is additionally creating new challenges in healthcare management for the elderly. Escalating medical costs, increased number of hospital admissions, and longer hospitals stays for managing chronic diseases against a backdrop of healthcare cost rationalization by governments worldwide, is shifting the focus on disease prevention and remote monitoring. As hospitals search for viable solutions for reducing the burden on healthcare budgets, wireless healthcare is growing in popularity.


Advances in wireless technology that enable easy interaction between patients and clinicians through real-time audio as well as video, and transmission of data from a device to the EMR system of a physician, is helping drive demand for wireless health and fitness devices. Wireless technology in healthcare opens new possibilities for patient-involved healthcare by enabling safe and comfortable remote patient monitoring. The introduction of the Bluetooth Low Energy standard, marketed as Bluetooth Smart, is poised to take wireless communication to the next level. Improving on the performance of existing Bluetooth systems, the Bluetooth Low Energy standard, offers benefits such as energy efficiencies. Lower power consumption, wide range of connectivity options with desktop computers and the potential to eliminate congestion issues that plague other wireless systems, are factors expected to drive the technology’s use in wireless medical devices.


As stated by the new market research report on Wireless Health and Fitness Devices, the United States represents the largest market worldwide. In the United States and other developed countries, preventive care is mainly fuelling interest in wireless healthcare. The focus is currently on developing devices that target high-risk patient groups as well as the chronically diseased through remote monitoring equipment and wellness programs. Asia-Pacific is forecast to emerge as the fastest growing market over the analysis period. In developing Asian countries where access to quality medical care is limited, the cost-effective and widespread presence and availability of cellular networks enables healthcare providers to deliver remote consultation to patients.


Leveraging on M2M connectivity and various other short-range wireless protocols, Wireless Sports & Fitness Devices represents the largest market segment. Growth in the market is expected to be driven by technology developments that support improved performance and functionality, extensive marketing partnerships, and innovation induced expansion in applications to newer exercise patterns and sports such as soccer, hockey, and football, among others.


Major players covered in the report include Fitbit, Inc., FitLinxx, Inc., GE Healthcare Ltd., Garmin Ltd., Ideal Life Inc., Nike, Inc., Oregon Scientific Inc., Robert Bosch Healthcare Inc., Sensei Inc., and Zephyr Technology Corp. among others.


The Wireless Health and Fitness Devices Market Report provides a comprehensive review of market trends, drivers, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities of major companies worldwide. The report provides market estimates and projections in volume (unit sales) for all major geographic markets such as the US, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World. The report also analyzes the global market for Wireless Health and Fitness Devices by product segments such as, Wireless Sports & Fitness Devices, Wireless Remote Health Monitoring Devices, and Wireless Professional Healthcare Devices.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site.  View the report: Wireless Health and Fitness Devices – Global Strategic Business Report“.






Wireless Health and Fitness Devices Market Report

Physical Security Market Worth $87.95 Billion by 2019

New market research report “Physical Security Market by System and Services (Access Control, IP Video Surveillance Management Software, Locks, PSIM, Perimeter Intrusion Detection, System Integration, and Designing and Consulting) – Worldwide Forecast & Analysis (2014 – 2019)”  focuses on the type of systems and services that are used to provide physical security. This report also enumerates the key factors that are driving growth in this market along with restraints and new opportunities for growth.


The market for physical security has been segmented by security systems such as access controls, biometrics scanners, locks, video surveillance, and physical security information management software and security services such as system integration, support and maintenance, and designing and consulting.


In the Physical Security Market, a wide range of products and services, such as video surveillance, access control, biometrics, remote management, technical support, security consulting, are included. Biometrics holds a major share in the products range. It is expected that the access control market will continue to grow at a higher pace. The Physical Security Market will witness a good growth trend in developing economies. There will be a rise in the demand for physical security solutions and services in these regions. With an increase in terrorist attacks and sabotages on critical infrastructure zones, the spending on physical security solutions and services will increase in the coming years. Besides, an increase in market acceptance for such solutions and services will be fuelling its growth. End users or consumers are not only looking for various devices, but are also increasingly interested in tailor-made solutions and integrated packages.


The recent trend in the industry shows that the Physical Security Market is continually improving, and there is a huge demand for physical security solutions and services in almost every industry. The current services, such as remote management, security consulting, and technical support, are suitable for usage in almost every vertical. Some of the advanced products are next-generation analytics and infinite storage devices. In recent times, there has been continuous innovation in this market. Ubiquitous sensors, smarter devices, and cloud technologies are some of the emerging technologies in the Physical Security Market.


The important vendors in the market for physical security are Anixter, CSC, Cisco, EMC Corporation, HP, Honeywell International, IBM, Genetec, Lockheed Martin, and Schneider Electric. This report on the Physical Security Market provides an in-depth analysis of the key players in tools and services ecosystem with their profiles and recent developments, key issues and opportunities in the market, global adoption trends, and future growth potential.


According to this report, the Physical Security Market will grow from $57.72 billion in 2014 to $87.95 billion by 2019, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. In terms of regions, North America (NA) and Europe are expected to be the biggest markets in terms of revenue contribution, while Asia-Pacific (APAC) is expected to surpass Europe during the forecast period. Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Latin America (LA) are also expected to experience increased market traction during the forecast period.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site. View the reportPhysical Security Market by System and Services (Access Control, IP Video Surveillance Management Software, Locks, PSIM, Perimeter Intrusion Detection, System Integration, and Designing and Consulting) – Worldwide Forecast & Analysis (2014 – 2019).



Physical Security Market Worth $87.95 Billion by 2019

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Micro Server IC Market Report

Micro servers, also known as low powered servers or energy efficient servers or high dense servers, are those which contain a large number of nodes, low powered processors, and shared infrastructure. The micro server architecture provides improvement in power efficiency and system cooling compared to traditional servers by sharing common components, such as fans and power supply. Micro servers thus, use less power, need less cooling, and require less space than conventional servers. They are mainly used for low intensive tasks such as web hosting, video steaming, downloads, web 2.0 activities such as social networking, web serving, or possibly handling corporate logins. Micro servers market has penetrated nearly 2.3% of the total servers market in 2012. However, it is forecasted that by 2018, nearly 28% of the servers market will be shared by micro servers. The market is expected to take a magnanimous leap from 2014 when 64 bit ARM processor, having a high processing speed, will be launched. Market is segmented according to component, processor type, application, and geography.


Micro Server IC market is segmented based on the processor type into Intel, ARM, and AMD. Intel processor based micro servers are further segmented into Atom and Xeon. The report also forecasts the market by component which includes hardware, software, and operation systems. Application areas of micro servers are categorized into Media Storage, Internet Data Centers, Analytics, Cloud Computing, and other applications. This report describes the market dynamics which includes drivers, restraints, and opportunities along with their impact analysis matrix. Impact analysis matrix depicts the impact of a particular driver or restraint on the market at present and the future impact on the market. This report also highlights the huge opportunities for the market.


Micro Server ICs Market Report



Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site:  Micro Server IC Market by Processor (Intel, ARM, AMD), IC’s (Analog, Digital), Applications (Media Storage, Data Center, Cloud Computing, Analytics) & by Geography (N.America, Europe, APAC, ROW) – Global Forecasts and Analysis to 2013 – 2018.



 


Partial List of Tables:


Table 15 Comparison Between Atom and Xeon Based Micro Servers

Table 16 Global Intel Based Micro Servers Market Revenue, By Types, 2012 – 2018 ($Million)

Table 17 Intel Processor Based Micro Servers Market Revenue, By Application, 2012 – 2018 ($Million)

Table 18 Intel Processor Based Micro Servers Market Revenue, By Geography, 2012 – 2018 ($Million)

Table 19 Atom Based Micro Servers Market Revenue, By Geography 2012 – 2018 ($Million)

Table 20 Xeon Based Micro Servers Market Revenue, By Geography, 2012 – 2018 ($Million)

Table 21 ARM Processor Based Micro Servers Market, By Application, 2012 – 2018 ($Million)

Table 22 ARM-Based Micro Servers Market Revenue, By Geography, 2012 – 2018 ($Million)

Table 23 AMD Processor-Based Micro Servers Market Revenue, By Applications, 2012 – 2018 ($Million)

Table 24 AMD-Based Micro Servers Market Revenue, By Geography, 2012 – 2018 ($Million)

Table 25 Global Micro Servers Market, By Components, 2012 – 2018 ($Million)

Table 26 Micro Server Hardware Market Revenues, By Device, 2012 – 2018 ($Million)

Table 27 Micro Server Hardware Market Revenue, By Geography, 2012 – 2018 ($Million)


 


 



Micro Server IC Market Report

Smart Sensors Industry Report 2014

The smart sensor market is expected to reach $10.46 billion by the end of 2020 at a CAGR of 36.25%. Latest technological breakthroughs have assisted the advance of new sensors that can make the overall processes more efficient and can significantly improve accuracy in various applications. Among all the sensors, pressure sensor temperature sensor, flow sensor and touch sensor are widely being used across various applications. The flow sensors market is driven majorly by the growing medical sectors, industries, and automotive industries. Temperature sensors are widely used in measurement, control systems and instrumentation. Pressure sensors are used to measure the intake of manifold pressure, atmospheric pressure, vapor pressure and so on. Touch sensors are used across different types of consumer electronics products, in automotive, healthcare, aerospace and defense and in industrial and commercial sectors.


The Smart Sensor is a device which consists of transduction element, signal conditioning electronics and controller or processor. It has the ability to take decisions and it is a complete system which is also known as a system on chip. The main aim of smart sensors is to integrate electronics and sensors. Smart sensor enables the sensor to stand alone with the processing power normally associated with much larger data acquisition systems.


This report provides the contribution of the smart sensor market with inclusive forecasts for revenue across technology, sensor types, components, applications, and geography related to this market. The smart sensor technologies are classified into Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS), optical spectroscopy and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS). The sensor type section is further segmented into flow sensors, dissolved oxygen sensors, turbidity sensors, oxidation reduction potential sensors, pH sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, touch sensors and others. The component section is further segmented into analog-to-digital converter (ADC), digital-to-analog converter (DAC), microcontroller, amplifiers, transceivers and others. Applications of smart sensor include aerospace & defense, automotive, biomedical, industrial automation, building automation, consumer electronics and others. This report covers geographical regions which include the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific and the rest of the world.


The major companies in smart sensor market are Freescale Semiconductor Inc. (U.S.), Infineon technologies AG (Germany), ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), BeanAir (France), Siemens AG (Germany), Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.), Analog Devices Inc. (U.S), Eaton Corporation (Ireland), Advanced Sensor Technologies, Inc (U.S.), Sentec Ltd (U.K.), Vögtlin Instruments AG (Germany), MTC ElectroCeramics (U.K.), NXP Semiconductors (The Netherlands), Maxim Integrated (U.S.), Thermometrics Corporation (U.S.), Smith Systems, Inc.(U.S.), Osensa Innovations (Canada) and Sensirion (Switzerland).



Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site: Smart / Intelligent Sensor Market by Type, Technology, Application, & by Geography – Forecasts & Analysis to 2013 – 2020.





Partial List of  Tables


Table 1 General Assumptions, Terminologies, and Application Keynotes

Table 2 Global Smart Sensor Market Value, By Sensor Types, 2013 – 2020 ($Million)

Table 3 Global Smart Sensor Market Value, By Application, 2013 – 2020 ($Million)

Table 4 Smart Sensor Porters Five Forces: Impact Analysis, 2013 – 2020

Table 5 Global Flow Sensor Market Value, By Technology, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 13 Global Flow Sensor Market Value For Consumers Electronics Application, By Geography, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 23 Global Dissolved Oxygen Sensor Market Value For Consumers Electronics Application, By Geography, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 24 Global Dissolved Oxygen Sensor Market Value For Other Application, By Geography, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 25 Global Turbidity Sensor Market Value, By Technology, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 26 Global Turbidity Sensor Market Value, By Geography, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 27 Global Turbidity Sensor Market Value, By Application, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 28 Global Turbidity Sensor Market Value For Aerospace & Defence Application, By Geography, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 29 Global Turbidity Sensor Market Value For Biomedical Application, By Geography, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 30 Global Turbidity Sensor Market Value For industrial Automation Application, By Geography, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 31 Global Turbidity Sensor Market Value For Consumers Electronics Application, By Geography, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 32 Global Turbidity Sensor Market Value For Other Application, By Geography, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 49 Global Temperature Sensor Market Value, By Technology, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 50 Global Temperature Sensor Market Value, By Geography, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 62 Global Pressure Sensor Market Value For Aerospace & Defence Application, By Geography, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 68 Global Pressure Sensor Market Value For Other Application, By Geography, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 69 Global Touch Sensor Market Value By Technology, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 75 Global Touch Sensor Market Value For industrial Automation Application, By Geography, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 76 Global Touch Sensor Market Value For Building Automation Application, By Geography, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 86 Smart Sensor Market Value For Automotive, By Type, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 87 Smart Sensor Market Value For Biomedical, By Type, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 88 Smart Sensor Market Value For industrial Automation, By Type, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 89 Smart Sensor Market Value For Building Automation, By Type, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 90 Global Smart Sensor Market Value For Building Automation Application, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 91 Smart Sensor Market Value For Consumer Electronics, By Type, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 92 Smart Sensor Market Value For Other Applications, By Type, 2013-2020 ($Million)

Table 93 Global Smart Sensor Market Value, By Geography, 2013-2020 ($Million)



Smart Sensors Industry Report 2014

Monday, December 15, 2014

Electric Double Layer Capacitors Market Report

According to Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors Market Report, the EDLC super capacitors market will be worth over $11 billion in ten years. This broad-ranging report on supercapacitors and supercabatteries has up to date ten year forecasts and analysis of market, applications, technology, patent and profit trends and the manufacturers and researchers involved.


55% of the manufacturers and intending manufacturers of supercapacitors/supercabatteries (EDLC, AEDLC) are in East Asia, 28% are in North America but Europe is fast asleep at only 7%. Yet, being used for an increasing number of purposes in electric vehicles, mobile phones, energy harvesting, renewable energy and other products of the future, this market is roaring up to over $11 billion in ten years with considerable upside potential.


This report concerns Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors (EDLCs). For brevity, we mainly use the second most popular word for them – supercapacitors. The third most popular term for them – ultracapacitors – is often used in heavy electrical applications. Included in the discussion and forecasts are so-called Asymmetric Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors (AEDLCs) better known as supercabatteries. The report also features patent trends of supercapacitor technologies.


Supercapacitors are a curiously neglected aspect of electronics and electrical engineering with a multi-billion dollar market rapidly emerging. For example, for land, water and airborne electric vehicles, there are about 200 serious traction motor manufacturers and 110 serious traction battery suppliers compared to just a few supercapacitor manufacturers. In all, there are no more than 66 significant supercapacitor manufacturers with most concentrating on the easier small ones for consumer electronics such as power backup. However, in a repetition of the situation with rechargeable batteries, the largest part of the market has just become the heavy end, notably for electric and conventional vehicles.


Supercapacitors and supercabatteries mainly have properties intermediate between those of batteries and traditional capacitors but they are being improved more rapidly than either. That includes improvement in cost and results in them not just being used to enhance batteries but even replacing batteries and capacitors in an increasing number of applications from renewable energy down to microscopic electronics. For example, your mobile phone may have better sound and flash that works at ten times the distance because a supercapacitor has taken over these functions from conventional capacitors.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site. View the report: Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors: Supercapacitors 2014-2024.


 



Electric Double Layer Capacitors Market Report

Medical Robots Market Report 2014

Over the years, the demand for medical robots has increased significantly. This is due to the paradigm shift in the healthcare industry where emphasis is being laid on minimally invasive surgeries through the use of robots. The global medical robot market is categorized into five broad segments—surgical robots, rehabilitation robots, non-invasive radiosurgery robots, hospital and pharmacy robots, and others.


Based on applications, the medical robots market comprises the following segments—neurology, orthopedics, laparoscopy, special education, and other areas. The medical robotics market was valued at $1,781 million in 2013 and is expected to reach $3,764 million by 2018, growing at a CAGR of 16.1% from 2013 to 2018. The surgical robots market commanded the largest % share of the global medical robots market in 2013 and is expected to reach more than $ billion value by 2018, growing at a double digit CAGR%. Surgical robots are further segmented into orthopedic surgical robots, neurosurgical robots, laparoscopy robotic systems, and steerable robotic catheters. The laparoscopic surgical robotic systems market accounted for the largest share of the global surgical robotics market, by segment, at an estimated $ million value in 2013. This segment is expected to reach $ multimillion value by 2018, at a double digit CAGR % from 2013 to 2018. However, the neurosurgery robotics market is the fastest-growing market and is expected to reach $ high multi-million $ value by 2018 at a double digit CAGR% from 2013 to 2018.


Surgical robots improve the accuracy of procedures and thus reduce the complication rates for surgeries. Apart from being accurate, robotic procedures also offer significant cost savings in terms of pre- and post-operation care costs and length of stay at hospitals. The technological advancements and breakthroughs in the field of medical robotics, such as expanded applications of robotic systems, robotics combined with imaging platforms, and capsule robot systems, among others, are expected to drive the global market in the coming years. The other factors that are driving the growth of the global medical robotics market include growth in aging population, increase in the incidences of neurological and orthopedic disorders, and growth in demand for telemedicine. Moreover, owing to the increased demand and usage of robot-assisted procedures, various government bodies are increasingly supporting the development of medical robots.


The key players in the global medical robotics market are Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (U.S.), Accuray, Inc. (U.S.), MAKO Surgical Corp. (U.S.), Mazor Robotics Ltd. (Israel), Hansen Medical, Inc. (U.S.), Titan Medical, Inc. (Canada), and Health Robotics S.R.L. (Italy), among others.


Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site.  View the report: Medical Robots Market by Type & Application – Global Forecasts to 2018.




Medical Robots Market Report 2014

Friday, December 12, 2014

Silicon Photonics Market Analysis by Products, Applications & Geography - Analysis & Forecast

Silicon Photonics is a relatively new technology which uses optical rays in order to transfer data between different computer chips and peripherals. This report covers particularly the markets for final products, devices and equipment that function on Silicon Photonics technology for six major application verticals namely: Telecommunications, Data communication, displays and consumer electronics, sensing, metrology, high performance computing and medicines. Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications’ web site.  View the report: Silicon Photonics Market Analysis by Products, Applications  & Geography – Analysis & Forecast.


In the last decade, the average cost of traditional microelectronics based optical has almost continuously increased. This has led to the gradual rise of Silicon Photonics as a solution to counter these operating cost and performance problems. Silicon Photonics technology will significantly reduce the costs associated with the components such as optical modulators, optical waveguides, attenuators and others. Silicon Photonics components substantially improve the data transfer speed in optical communication applications. Silicon Photonics based optical components consume lower power than the modulators, switches and others used in the existing optical communication networks.


A silicon Photonics wavelength division multiplexer filters t are expected to use extensively in coming future, as these devices are one of the major components used in ever growing telecom and Datacom application sectors. These products will be followed by silicon modulators and interconnects due their potential use in long haul optical networks


The Datacom application sector is expected to grow as big as the telecom sector because silicon Photonics has potential to satisfy needs of high performance computing and higher data transfer rates required for Datacom applications. Market penetration of silicon Photonics products in telecom and Datacom application sector will be high in the coming seven years.


This report describes the market trends, drivers, and challenges of the hardware encryption market and forecasts the market till 2018, based on applications, verticals, products, and geography. It covers geographies like the North America, Europe, APAC, and ROW (Rest of the World).


The figure below shows the life-cycle analysis of the various silicon Photonics application sectors based on factors like the time-to-market and the key features of the products in the different application sectors.


Silicon Photonics Application Life-Cycle Analysis


Silicon Photonics Market Report Silicon Photonics Market Analysis


The figure above shows in detail the short-term, medium-term and long-term applications for silicon photonics products, against the different features of the products for each applications. Datacom application revenue will dwarf all the other sectors in the coming future. The low-power consuming feature and the high data transfer rate capabilities achieved using silicon photonics are the main reason for the growth in the Datacom sector in the near future.


In applications like Telecom (Long-haul and Metro/LAN applications), Bio-medical sensors, Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and others, the major advantage of using silicon photonics will be the durability of the products as compared to the current conventional substitutes. Thus these applications will emerge in the medium-term (5-7 years).


In the long-term (beyond 10 years), silicon photonics is expected to become a default component of digital communication at the chip-level and board-level. These will open up doors to high volume of production and sales in the future.  To purchase this report please visit: http://www.electronics.ca/store/silicon-photonics-market-report.html



Silicon Photonics Market Analysis by Products, Applications & Geography - Analysis & Forecast