News Article
MEMS devices make major game players for consumer integration
The MEMS Industry Group (MIG), a trade association representing the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and microstructures industries, has released an annual industry report.
The MEMS Industry Group (MIG), a trade association representing the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and microstructures industries, has released an annual industry report.
The MIG Industry Report -- Focusing on MEMS Integration predicts that 2006 will be marked as the year in which MEMS made significant inroads into the consumer electronics market, in applications such as accelerometer-based motion sensing in remote consoles for gaming; integrated dual-axis gyroscopes for image stabilization in mobile phones and digital still cameras; silicon microphones into acoustic modules; and silicon resonators enabling multiple timing applications, such as quartz replacement in watches.
Once measured in the hundreds, MEMS devices-tiny machines that combine intelligent sensing and semiconductor circuitry to improve the functionality, cost and flexibility of a range of electronic systems-are being measured in the hundreds of thousands and are being sold by the millions.
The MEMS market is expected to double from $5 Billion to nearly $10 Billion in the next six years, according to Yole Developpement, industry research firm.
Driving this success, according to the MIG report, is improved manufacturability; technological advances that enable more functionality on a single chip; increased reliability; the prevalence of 6-inch manufacturing lines; new bonding vacuum and getter technology; as well as enhancements in packaging techniques that have greatly improved MEMS adaptability and accessibility. While MEMS devices are experiencing growth across market segments, they are being embraced most rapidly in consumer electronics.
"Given the success that ST Microelectronics has had in the MEMS space, we are not surprised that demand for MEMS integration is in part driven by a skyrocketing consumer electronics industry. The impressive market reception of the Nintendo Wii-which contains one of our MEMS devices-is but one example of MEMS integration in the consumer electronics space. We expect our industry to experience many more success stories over the coming year," stated Dr. Benedetto Vigna, General Manager MEMS Product Division, STMicroelectronics.
"Once again, the MEMS Industry Group is proving that it truly is a voice for the MEMS industry by issuing a report on one of the greatest challenges and opportunities facing the MEMS industry-MEMS integration"; said Raymond Wiley, VP - North American Sales and Marketing, Icemos Technology, Ltd.
The MIG Industry Report -- Focusing on MEMS Integration predicts that 2006 will be marked as the year in which MEMS made significant inroads into the consumer electronics market, in applications such as accelerometer-based motion sensing in remote consoles for gaming; integrated dual-axis gyroscopes for image stabilization in mobile phones and digital still cameras; silicon microphones into acoustic modules; and silicon resonators enabling multiple timing applications, such as quartz replacement in watches.
Once measured in the hundreds, MEMS devices-tiny machines that combine intelligent sensing and semiconductor circuitry to improve the functionality, cost and flexibility of a range of electronic systems-are being measured in the hundreds of thousands and are being sold by the millions.
The MEMS market is expected to double from $5 Billion to nearly $10 Billion in the next six years, according to Yole Developpement, industry research firm.
Driving this success, according to the MIG report, is improved manufacturability; technological advances that enable more functionality on a single chip; increased reliability; the prevalence of 6-inch manufacturing lines; new bonding vacuum and getter technology; as well as enhancements in packaging techniques that have greatly improved MEMS adaptability and accessibility. While MEMS devices are experiencing growth across market segments, they are being embraced most rapidly in consumer electronics.
"Given the success that ST Microelectronics has had in the MEMS space, we are not surprised that demand for MEMS integration is in part driven by a skyrocketing consumer electronics industry. The impressive market reception of the Nintendo Wii-which contains one of our MEMS devices-is but one example of MEMS integration in the consumer electronics space. We expect our industry to experience many more success stories over the coming year," stated Dr. Benedetto Vigna, General Manager MEMS Product Division, STMicroelectronics.
"Once again, the MEMS Industry Group is proving that it truly is a voice for the MEMS industry by issuing a report on one of the greatest challenges and opportunities facing the MEMS industry-MEMS integration"; said Raymond Wiley, VP - North American Sales and Marketing, Icemos Technology, Ltd.
