- 25 May 2006 -

MEMS in handsets to top $1bn by 2010, says In-Stat

MEMS consumption in mobile handsets reached US$157m in 2005, and by 2010, consumption will exceed US$1bn, reports In-Stat. In addition to the microphones and bulk acoustic resonators that have dominated the MEMS market to date, there are emerging opportunities for inertial sensors (principally accelerometers) and several types of RF components including band/mode switches, matching elements (such as digital varactors) and oscillators, it says.

"Although high-volume MEMS, such as microphones and bulk acoustic resonators, are cost competitive, there are no near-term opportunities for other types of MEMS to break into the mobile handset market based on price advantage," says Frank Dickson. "Longer term, displays, fuel cells, and other types of MEMS devices could also develop a price advantage. However, suppliers of these devices may find a quicker path to profit in other markets that have less demanding cost and size requirements."

The report is entitled "MEMS—Making Their Mark in Mobile Handsets"
(#IN0603148ESCA) and is priced US$3,495.

For more details, visit: www.in-stat.com