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MEMS Making Their Mark in Consumer Electronics, Says In-Stat/MDR
August 18, 2004 |Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Scottsdale, Ariz. — MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) are growing up fast when it comes to their integration into all kinds of consumer electronics (CE), reports In-Stat/MDR.
While most applications at this point remain fairly niche, the high-tech market research believes that all signs point to more MEMS devices moving into an increasing number of product families, and thus moving towards higher volumes. Continued reductions in price (at lower minimum quantities) and smaller form factors have been key to increased use of MEMS. As a result, revenues for MEMS in consumer electronics are forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.2 percent from 2003 to 2008.
Optical MEMS and accelerometers are helping to provide cinema-quality images and the most distortion-free sound available. MEMS pressure sensors and thermopiles are hard at work in newer models of dishwashers and hair dryers. And a few cell phone models in Asia-Pacific and Europe have just become available that will allow the user to actually interact with MEMS accelerometers — although most end-users will have no idea that that's what they're doing.
A recent report from In-Stat/MDR also finds that:
- The devices that are leading the way are optical MEMS, RF MEMS and accelerometers, with pressure sensors, infrared sensors, gyros and microphones gaining ground.
- Key markets include video (led by home theater systems), wireless (namely cell phones), and home appliances of all kinds, ranging from housewares such as robotic vacuum cleaners to white goods such as washing machines. Sporting goods and electronic gaming also are two rapidly growing segments.
- At this time, the most significant contributor of revenues is TI's DLP in-home theater and digital TVs, followed by Agilent Technologies' FBAR duplexer in cell phones. In terms of unit shipments, the major contributor is Agilent's duplexer, followed closely by sensors as a whole. Both are seeing an increasingly aggressive rate of integration into CE products, so their contribution to unit shipments are expected to remain fairly balanced over the next few years, although microphone shipments could change that.
The report, "MEMS & Consumer Electronics: Growing Up Fast," updates business achievements, customer announcements and product introductions since early 2003 for MEMS in consumer electronics, and briefly discusses the MEMS devices available (or in development) and the companies who are offering them. It then delves into the myriad of consumer electronics applications and end-uses that can, and are, benefiting from MEMS, and the opportunities presenting themselves to MEMS suppliers. A worldwide forecast of unit shipments and revenues is provided through 2008.