Who wants to get it?
According to the latest MEMS report released by the French market research company Yole Développement, last year, Broadcom's ranking exceeded all common competitors in the MEMS industry for the first time, thanks to the popularity of radio frequency (RF) MEMS.
In a telephone interview with EE Times, Yole's senior analyst of MEMS components and technology, Eric Mounier, explained that the complexity of 4G forced the phone to support multiple bands, leading to an unparalleled demand for RF filters. The market demand for RF MEMS is booming. He pointed out that as the industry turns to 5G, this phenomenon will only intensify.
Yole sees RF MEMS (BAW filter) as one of the most powerful engines driving the entire MEMS market. Yole predicts that if RF is not included, the MEMS market will grow 9% annually between 2011 and 2023; if RF MEMS is added, Then the annual compound growth rate (CAGR) of the entire MEMS market is expected to reach 17.5%.
Twenty years ago, MEMS could be seen as an alternative niche application across the IC market. Now it's quite different. In 2017, MEMS, sensors and actuators accounted for $420 billion in global chip sales. 11%. Moreover, the share of MEMS in the entire semiconductor market will further increase. Mounier predicts that it will increase to 15% to 20% by 2023.
Mobile and automotive are the two biggest areas to further drive MEMS demand. Yole predicts that mobile applications in 2023 will generate $53 billion in revenue for sensors and actuators, while automotive applications will cost $20.5 billion. The next wave of trends will be Industry 4.0 ($4.6 billion), Healthcare ($2.3 billion) and Voice Processing ($1.4 billion).
MEMS evolution
Looking back at the MEMS in the 1980s and early 1990s, Mounier pointed out that the MEMS at the time was completely out of contact with the basic sensors for detecting mechanical motion, pressure or shock. He said: 'But those sensors are not very precise'.
In the 21st century, after the improvement of electronics and materials for MEMS, the sensor is accurate enough to measure objects. Mounier says that MEMS has been able to use Rotation Sensing and Visible Light Management (DLP). In the mid-2000-2010, sound and infrared (IR) wavelengths have also been added to MEMS technology.
In short, MEMS shift from solid sensors to light management (such as micromirrors), followed by infrared sensing (microbolometers). Microphones and voice, also contribute to the development of MEMS.
The MEMS revolution brought the first sensor that transcends human senses. According to Mounier, today's MEMS and sensors are far beyond the sensing capabilities of 'ultrasonic, remote hyperspectral, RF and other. Far beyond the human ability. '
The hottest trend in MEMS is sensor fusion. By integrating multiple sensors into one package, MEMS can capture 'all-round environmental perception', Mounier explains.
Don't forget, as sensors are integrated, users expect the multi-sensor suite's software to combine sensory data and generate more level of intelligence. The next milestone is the sensor and artificial intelligence (AI) 'Volgan' (Vulcan, the god of fire and artisans in Roman mythology, whose furnace is regarded as the source of magic) spiritual integration ability.
Although sensor fusion technology has become very popular in automotive and smart phones, there is still disagreement about where the industry should be integrated. Some companies are beginning to process data closer to the sensor. Others advocate back-end data fusion. Mounier admits that the industry has not argued about this.
The fastest growing sensor?
Now, sensor revenues are resolved by component class. In 2017, CMOS imaging revenues reached $13.4 billion, ranking first in the rankings, followed by RF, radar and fingerprint sensors.
However, if you ask the fastest growing sensor in 2023, then 3D is the most popular. For the high demand of Lida, Mounier is optimistic that the CAGR of 3D sensor will reach 40%.
MEMS Billboard
MEMS products are diversified and driven by various market segments. As a result, the winners and losers of MEMS suppliers are often feng shui.
At present, Broadcom's MEMS business shows the strongest growth, which can be attributed to the growth of the RF MEMS market.
Bosch ranks second in the market and remains one of the most robust MEMS players. According to Mounier, since Bosch covers two different MEMS market segments (consumers and cars), both sides bet to avoid losses, making Bosch is 'very successful' in ensuring stable growth.
Conversely, ST's MEMS business is 'challenging', Mounier said, mainly because Apple is the only major customer of STMicroelectronics. At the same time, STMicroelectronics has been difficult to achieve in the automotive and industrial MEMS markets. Seized.
Knowles Electronics' MEMS revenues were flat, mainly due to increased competition in the MEMS microphone market. (Knowles Electronics)
Texas Instruments (TI) has also been struggling because micromirrors are its only MEMS product. Mounier says that TI's success depends on light. If micromirrors can be successfully used in light, TI's MEMS The business will undergo major changes.
Who is the MEMS foundry?
In 2017, benefiting from HP's inkjet printing business, STMicroelectronics is still able to implement the MEMS foundry's ear.
When asked about the significant changes in the foundry market, Mounier cited a number of surprises. He mentioned the strong growth of the Canadian company Teledyne DALSA. Teledyne DALSA increased sales by $10 million in one year and $60 million in 2017. The Canadian company calls itself 'one of the world's most important pure MEMS foundries' and has the ability to produce across a wide range of component types. Its products include micromirrors for telecommunications, gyroscopes for game controllers. Sensors, microfluidic components for micro medical systems, pressure sensors and inertial sensors for automobiles, microphones for smart phones, etc.
The Swedish company Silex Microsystems is another fast-growing, pure MEMS foundry. The company has expanded its foundry business from $41 million in 2016 to $50 million in 2017.
However, the most surprising thing for Mounier is Philips Innovation Services in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. After independence from Philips R&D, the company seems to have attracted Many customers who do not want to be named. Philips Innovation Services is dedicated to the design, development and supply of custom MEMS components and assembly of micro components. Its MEMS foundry claims to have 140 experts, the Dutch company provides 'MEMS prototypes, MEMS process development and MEMS manufacturing'.
The future of MEMS
New startups that invent new MEMS technologies and try different materials are actively promoting the future development of MEMS towards diversification.
USound is a popular MEMS startup that is 'very fast, will launch MEMS microspeakers in 2019'. And piezoelectric microphone company Vesper recently raised 23 million from investors including Amazon. US dollar. Mounier said that with the automotive industry's continued demand for GL, RoboSense and Innoviz have also attracted a lot of attention. Chirp Microsystems (mainly 3D sensing technology) was smashed by TDK earlier this year. Also talked about the French start-up company that manufactures titanium MEMS for biocompatible medical devices - Mistic.
MEMS startups worthy of attention, with the assistance of Yole, EE Times has compiled 17 MEMS startups worthy of attention. Mounier also reminded that this list is not exhaustive, but let us have a glimpse of the development of MEMS. .
17 of the world's most noteworthy MEMS startups