World MEMS Microphone Markets

SUMMARY

Market Overview

MEMS Microphones Witness Significant Growth and Increased Activity all over the World

Micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphones are gaining increasing acceptance in areas where traditional technologies such as electret condenser microphone (ECM) dominated. MEMS microphones are now finding use in new businesses by not just capitalizing on their unique features, but also by targeting specific end-user applications. The inherent technical drawbacks present in ECMs are allowing MEMS microphones into domains that were hitherto considered unviable.

In a scenario where the demand for small form-factor electronic devices such as personal digital assistants (PDA) and cell phones is on the rise, it is apparent that MEMS microphones have a ready market. "By saving on the board space, MEMS microphones free up space for integrating more functions into devices," states the analyst of this research service. "This will provide overall benefits such as reduction in the number of process steps and subsequent savings in costs due to elimination of manual soldering, as seen in ECMs."

MEMS Microphone Manufacturers Offer Customized Solutions for Electronic Industries to Boost Sales

The microphone markets comprise large participants manufacturing millions of microphones every year. However, companies involved in traditional microphone technologies have not been able to keep pace with the advancements -- in terms of automated assembly lines and miniaturization -- in the electronic markets, which in turn is presenting MEMS microphone enterprises with ample opportunities. MEMS microphone enterprises are now offering value-added products -- such as system-on-package solution -- custom made for electronic device manufacturers.

"Currently, the MEMS microphone industry is likely to fully benefit from the continuing expansion of the market for cell phones in certain Asian countries," notes the analyst. "While cell phone markets do offer numerous opportunities, MEMS microphone companies need to factor-in wide fluctuations in the telecom market to earn sustained revenues from the cell phone segment."

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1. Executive Summary
  • 1. Market Overview
    • 1. Introduction
    • 2. Definitions
  • 2. Major Research Findings
    • 1. Market Trends
    • 2. Competitive Trends2. Total MEMS Microphone Market
  • 1. Market Dynamics
    • 1. Market Overview
    • 2. Industry Challenges
    • 3. Market Drivers
    • a. Assembly Line Automation Encourages Easy Switchover
    • b. Savings in Assembly Costs Spur Customers in Adopting MEMS Microphones
    • c. Drive toward Integration of More Functions and Components Boosts Prospects of MEMS Microphones
    • d. Small Form Factor Leads to Volume Adoption
    • e. Explosive Growth in Cell Phone Market Bolsters New Market Entrants
    • f. Boom in Speech Recognition and VoIP Markets Provides Further Growth Opportunities
    • g. Flexibility Offered To Designers Encourages New Functions
    • h. Binaural Sales of Hearing Aids Increases the Potential Market Size
    • 4. Market Restraints
    • a. Low-cost ECMs curbing growth of MEMS microphones
    • b. Technical Issues in Manufacturing MEMS Microphones are Taking Time to Get Resolved
  • 2. Market Forecasts and Trends
    • 1. Market Engineering Measurements
    • 2. Total Market Revenue Forecasts
    • 3. Demand and Pricing Analysis
    • 4. Technological Trends
    • 5. Opportunity Analysis
    • 6. Value Chain Analysis
    • 7. Business Impact Analysis
  • 3. Competitive Analysis
    • 1. Competitive Structure
    • 2. Strategy Variation by End-User Application
    • 3. Company Profiles
    • 4. Structural Analysis
• 3. Appendix
  • 1. Decision Support Database Tables
    • 1. Laptop Install Base
    • 2. Portable PC Install Base
    • 3. PDA Sales
    • 4. Mobile Subscriber Base
    • 5. Mobile Penetration