1, PCB Relays Move into High-Reliability Markets
Pricing remains stable as manufacturers develop new products and enhance existing lines
As the demand for printed-circuit-board (PCB) relays grows, so does the need for high-performance, high-reliability products in markets such as automotive, medical imaging, and automation applications.
The increased electronic content in vehicles and higher demand for consumer electronic products particularly in Asia has created increased demand for PCB relays. Electric and hybrid vehicles are also expected to boost PCB relay demand. The global PCB relay market is forecast to grow from $2.4 billion in 2012 to $4.5 billion in 2019, according to the market research firm.
As vehicle manufacturers continue to give priority to powertrain and engine performance, in addition to fuel efficiency, the demand for PCB relays is expected to remain steady.
The military/aerospace and medical markets also are big consumers of PCB relays, with commercial aerospace pushing the envelope in technology and rugged PCB relays. The big market for PCB relays in medical applications includes ultrasound, scanning and x-ray equipment.
High-reliability PCB relays, especially for medical, industrial, aerospace and defense, etc., are able to command a better price point, The high-risk and high-reliability requirements encourage OEMs to focus on quality, and buyers are open to pay a premium price for high quality and rugged PCB relays.
This scenario also holds true for high-performance PCB relays. Although supply and demand is in balance, and lead times are holding at 12 weeks for medium-volume production, a few larger OEMs are driving significant increases in demand.
2, Image sensor tags to fall 2% per year
However, image sensors will post double-digit revenue growth through 2017 as they are designed into more equipment
Buyers can expect prices for CMOS image sensors to drop about 2% per year for the next four years, although demand for sensors will rise and the market will increase 12% annually through 2017.
CMOS image sensor revenue will post strong growth from $7.1 billion in 2012 to $12.5 billion in 2017. In 2013, the revenue expected to increasing 11% to $7.9 billion and units increasing 12% to 2.4 billion.
The good news for buyers is that despite strong growth in demand for image sensors, the average price for all image sensors will decline 2% per year through 2017. In 2012 there was an 8% increase in the average price of image sensors.
Smart phones, and media tablets will continue to be major drivers of image sensor growth for the next several years .
Image sensors will also be used more in medical equipment, industrial applications, security systems, and consumer electronics equipment. More sensors for cars, Automotive systems are using more image sensors because more cameras are being designed into vehicles. There is a potential for 12 image sensors to be used in a car .
The percentage of image shipments for automotive systems will rise from less than 1% in 2012 to 8% in 2017, while scientific and medical applications will account for 5% of image sensor usage in 2017 compared to 3% in 2012.
3, Prices are Flat to Down for Frequency Control Devices
Pricing and lead times stabilize; manufacturers focus R&D efforts on new products for high-performance parts
Pricing for crystals and oscillators are flat to down in 2013 .
In the more good news category for buyers, lead times remain stable in the six- to eight-week range. Lead times are more stable in 2013 compared to last year . Pricing also is stable.Pricing has been fairly stable for high-frequency products .
In most cases, new products garner higher margins out of the gate. This is why many component manufacturers focus much of their research and development (R&D) dollars on new product development for high-performance parts rather than commodity devices.
The industry is always looking at new resonator technology that will allow the company to achieve better performance, including higher frequencies. One of the reasons is more competition from silicon players.
Manufacturers are expecting healthy growth in 2013 thanks to some of these high-reliability products.
Several high-reliability sectors such as networking, cloud computing, server storage, and point-to-point microwave, which demand precision and ultra-precision devices, are expected to drive growth in the 10% to 20% range.
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IDT has a 25% market share in silicon timing.