Technical Insight
Wide bandgap semiconductors warm up (Market News)
The world market for high temperature electronics (HTE) has been forecast to reach $376.8 million by 2003 and is expected to grow to $887.1 million by 2008 (see ). However, a report from the High Temperature Electronics Network (HITEN) warns that a large increase in the current level of investment is needed if cost-effective high temperature devices are to become commercially available. Initial applications will be those that are the least price sensitive, where the benefits of using HTE components justify their high cost. The leading application is currently in the equipment used for oil and gas well data logging. This market is expected to reach $170.2 million by 2008. The largest potential market is the automotive industry where a 200250C technology is required for engine control systems, electronic braking and exhaust sensors. This is the type of high volume market needed to bring on this technology. This sector is predicted to be worth $561 million by 2008. Wide bandgap semiconductors, such as SiC, will be critical in enabling applications above 300C. Few components specified for operation in ambients above 125C are currently available, though several silicon and SOI high temperature ICs and sensors are on the market. Active SiC devices are also now becoming commercially available. The forecast also predicts that with the slow uptake of the wide bandgap devices, GaAs HTE devices will benefit from an increase in market share, rising from 16% in 2003 to 21% of HTE devices in 2008. "The World Market for High Temperature Electronics" is available through HITEN - see "www.hiten.com".
