Market Research Reports & Industry News. Updated: May 21, 2013

Global Markets for Machine Vision Technologies

The scope of this report is the market for MV hardware and software, including smart cameras and smart sensors, compact vision systems, personal computer-based MV systems, MV lighting and cameras, and frame grabbers. The major objective of this report is to determine the worldwide market for MV systems and its growth potential over the next five years.  It also highlights the various technologies involved and improvements in them.  There is a look at the structure of the industries involved in the research, development, design and manufacture of MV components and systems.  Profiles of global manufacturers are provided along with a discussion of the global competition in this ever-expanding market.  An analysis of patents issued to various companies for related technologies and processes is contained in this study.  Forecasts take into account product and technology life cycles.

Key Trends That Will Shape The Landscape of the Electronics Manufacturing Industry

Cloud computing figures prominently in this latest edition of the roadmap, and has the potential to create the most significant paradigm shifts, bringing about major changes to business models in the next four to five years. Similarly, the increased use of MEMS and sensors in a growing number of applications (cell phones, medical electronics, automotive) has repercussions across multiple product sectors. Concerns about sustainability are still at the forefront while companies continue to grapple with the lack of industry-wide assessment methodologies to evaluate alternative materials and the need for data to assess and quantify environmental impact of products in a consistent way. Faster rates of change in miniaturization, driven by the explosion of smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices, are resulting in increased use of complex, 3D assemblies and solutions, such as system-in-package (SiP). These solutions, however, come with their own sets of challenges. Lack of test access, pick and place of 3D thin chips or bare 3D stacked chips with irregular shapes, rework processes and heat sink attachment all become more difficult.

Global and China Advanced Packaging Industry Report

In 2012, global semiconductor sales fell 2.7%; semiconductor equipment spending dropped by 15% to US$36.9 billion from US$43.5 billion in 2011. The semiconductor market in 2013 is also not optimistic, accompanied by recession of the world’s emerging economies and Europe’s sluggish recovery. U.S. and Japanese markets are relatively better, while China, as the world’s largest semiconductor market, has witnessed lower-than-expected economic growth, the global economy is yet to show signs of recovery. In spite of the overall decline in semiconductor industry, the foundry field still grows. In 2012, the global semiconductor foundry market reached total value of US$34.6 billion, an increase of 6.5% over 2011. With the growth slowdown of smart phones and tablet PCs, it is expected that the foundry market in 2013 will increase by just 1.6% to exceed about US$35.2 billion.

Smart Lighting Markets and Opportunities 2013

Revenues from smart lighting are expected to escalate rapidly in the coming decade, driven primarily by rising energy costs.  However, the biggest wins in the smart lighting business will go to those who can differentiate themselves in the market by offering value-added features and interfaces to other building automation systems.  As it happens, it is becoming increasingly easy to achieve such differentiation.  The latest lighting research indicates that smart lighting can also lead to improved health and mood, while newer technology is showing the way to using smart lighting systems for air quality monitoring and even the delivery of information services.  At the same time, improved control algorithms will permit the basic lighting management functionality of smart lighting to be performed much more effectively.With these important developments in mind, this report offers guidance on where new smart lighting business revenues will be generated over the next few years and beyond.

Electronics Industry in Canada

Since the communications led boom in 2000 output in the Canadian electronics industry has declined significantly with production falling by 66% from C$29 billion to a forecasted C$9.9 billion in 2011. Output was estimated to have declined by 4.2% in 2011 and is forecast to fall by a more modest 1.4% in 2012. Canada's major industry sectors include fixed and wireless communications (including defence). Combined, the communication sector accounted for 42% of output in 2011 down from 62% in 2000. Production of communications and radar increased by 12.5% in 2008 but fell by 20% in 2009 and by a further 11.1% and 12.5% in 2010 and 2011, respectively. The decline in telecommunications has been more pronounced. Between 2000 and 2011 output has fallen by a staggering 90% a sharp contrast to wireless communications and radar where production declined by 33% in the same period, with a significant proportion of this occurring in the wake of the 2009 global economic downturn.

MEMS Packaging Market

The MEMS packaging market is growing faster than the IC packaging market. In package unit shipments, the MEMS packaging market is growing 2x faster (~ 20% CAGR)  than what is predicted for the overall IC package market. WLP / TSV platform is set to grow the fastest while leadframe and organic laminate based packages are poised to grow a comfortable 16% CAGR over the next 5 years to come. There are plenty of MEMS and sensors to be found in recent smartphone designs: MEMS accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors, electronic compass magnetometers, multiple silicon MEMS microphones, FBAR / BAW filters and duplexers, RF switches and MEMS  oscillators: there is no doubt that MEMS content is growing faster than standard IC content.

Market Outlook for Nanomaterials for Electronics: Semiconductors, Solar, Displays, Sensors, RFID, Lighting

The use of nanoparticles is set to escalate and the market has the potential to increase dramatically over the next ten years as more uses for these materials are developed and commercialized. Nanomaterials are establishing themselves as a way forward for printed electronics in a number of ways. Inks using metallic nanoparticles promise higher conductivities and lower curing temperatures, nanosilicon inks may prove the best route to printed silicon, and carbon nanotube inks open up interesting new possibilities for ITO replacements, lighting and displays.

OLED Lighting Materials Market Forecast 2013

OLED lighting will eventually emerge as the largest addressable market for OLED materials, but only if advances in materials can help to close several remaining technology gaps related to improved OLED lighting efficiency, lifetime, and total cost of ownership. Thus, this report is an essential guide for materials and specialty chemical firms seeking to gain a competitive edge for their OLED materials in this emerging market. This report provides insight into the developing opportunities, paying special attention to the opportunities for OLED lighting materials that will develop over the next 18 months or so

Worldwide Optical Networking 2013–2017 Forecast

This study presents a cumulative forecast of the optical networking market, based on the current forecasts.  IDC's Wireline Network Infrastructure program has been tracking and quantifying the various product segments that make up the next-generation optical networking landscape. Optical networking infrastructure is a mature market, with anticipated market growth of 4.1% in 2013 to $13.7 billion. Mobile broadband, video content, and services should drive continued growth in metro WDM and POTP.

Canadian Consumer Wireless, Internet, and Phone Services 2013–2017 Forecast

This IDC study examines wireless, Internet, and phone services for consumers and residential use in Canada. This should help product managers and marketers with business planning in the near and medium terms. Topics include consumer wireless voice and data, residential dial-up and high-speed Internet, and residential phone services.