Technical Insight
Power semiconductors maintain stronghold (Market News)
Despite turbulent technology stock markets in the first quarter of the year, Allied Business Intelligence (Oyster Bay, NY) is predicting that the power semiconductor industry will remain vibrant. The market for power semiconductors including silicon and GaAs power transistors, together with GaAs PA MMICs used in wireless applications will increase from $2.85 billion in 2001 to $8.4 billion in 2006. Although the narrow-band cellular infrastructure/handset arena represents the most financially attractive market, broadband wireless access and industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band applications also merit attention (see ). Fueling the wireless data revolution will be the proliferation of 2.5G/3G systems and broadband wireless local loops, said ABI s Natalie Amiama. "The natural evolution from voice to data has inspired profound changes in the cellular handset and infrastructure market crucial areas for GaAs transistors, MMICs, power modules and silicon power transistors," she said. Amiama predicts that 3G will lead to increased component integration as tier-one manufacturers slash product life cycles, and also because new handset manufacturers generally lack RF design experience. "These changes will renew the popularity of power modules, and force component suppliers to adopt alternative strategies," she said. Emerging applications such as LMDS, WLANs and MMDS will also bring new life to the power IC and transistor market. "This will shift the emphasis away from cellular/PCS/3G, and reward companies that have a broader focus," said Amiama. Wireless Power Devices: Transistors, ICs and Power Modules is available from ABI see "www.alliedworld.com".
