September 12, 2011 — Silicon magnetic sensors are riding an upswing in automotive production and the expansion in tablet/smartphone adoption to 23.7% revenue growth in 2011, according to IHS iSuppli’s MEMS & Sensors Special Report. This amounts to $1.46 billion in revenue.
2010 was a "blockbuster" year for silicon magnetic sensors, with $1.18 billion in revenue representing a 48.6% increase from 2009. By 2015, revenue will hit $2.47 billion, creating a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.8%. Growth in the magnetic sensor space will cool slightly after 2015, due to the rapid erosion in price of electronic compasses, as well as to an eventual slowdown in automotive applications after fitment rates are reached for safety mandates in electronic stability control systems and tire-pressure monitoring systems (TPMS).
2011 is representative of future growth years for silicon magnetic sensors, said Richard Dixon, Ph.D., senior analyst for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and sensors at IHS. Driving forces for this upswing include an impressive rebound in the automotive passenger-vehicle industry (25% increase in 2010) and integration of compasses into smartphones and tablet computers for user interactions like navigation. The automotive market accounts for 50% of magnetic sensor demand. Applications include wheel-speed sensors, double-clutch systems, battery sensors, and more than 60 other uses.
The market is flooded with higher-cost compasses, mission-critical automotive sensors, and other parts, noted Dixon, as opposed to low-cost switches used in white goods and other technologies. These higher-priced sensors will maintain market growth for several years.
Digital compasses, which grabbed 20% of the magnetic sensor revenues in 2010, are standard in navigation functions on mobile devices, and are emerging for gaming, camera, and other applications where performance can be enhanced.
Remaining applications include industrial products, such as three Hall switches providing commutation for brushless direct-current motors, or current measurement in solar inverters and wind turbines. Consumer electronics use digital compasses for display management, cooling fans, and other miscellaneous applications. The MEMS devices also show up in pace makers, fax machines, and other products.
The largest silicon magnetic sensor supplier in 2010 was Asahi Kasei Microsystems (Japan) followed by Allegro Microsystems (USA).
The top magnetic sensor devices were Hall-effect integrated circuits and elements, designed to sense changing magnetic fields and to measure current and rotational position, along with speed and linear position.
See IHS iSuppli’s report, "Compasses Pick Up Reins of Magnetic Sensors Market" at http://www.isuppli.com/MEMS-and-Sensors/Pages/Digital-Compasses-Pick-up-Reigns-of-Magnetic-Sensors-Market.aspx?PRX
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