Power Management & Conversion

Volume shipments of digitally-controlled power supplies are likely to be at least two years away according to latest IMS Research forecasts in The Worldwide Market for Power Supplies - 2006.

Vishay's recent acquisition of International Rectifier's Power Control Systems business could see it surge past its competitors and become the world's largest supplier of power semiconductors (discretes and modules), according to analyst firm IMS Research.

The recent announcement that Flextronics plans to purchase CEAG's FRIWO Mobile Power Solutions unit would catapult Flextronics into the top five of world power adapter manufacturers. IMS Research estimates that following the planned acquisition, Flextronics could hold a 6-7% share of the $4.5 billion power adapter market. The proposed move could see Flextronics leap-frog its competitors to become one of the largest suppliers of adapters.

Murata manufacturing was the largest supplier of DC-DC converters modules in 2007 according to IMS Research's latest study of the worldwide power supply market, holding a market share of 12.5%. Delta Electronics was the second largest suppliers followed by Emerson with the total market for DC-DC converters estimated at $2.9 billion in 2007.

The merchant power supply market is forecast to exceed $18 billion in 2008 despite the global economic downturn. However, to 2010 many sectors will see a significant reduction in demand.

Shipments of consumer devices that can be powered or charged wirelessly (e.g. inductively) are forecast to grow from just 1.5 million in 2009 to almost one billion in 2019, according to the latest analysis from IMS Research.

Following a decline of over 14% in 2009, the world market for power management and driver ICs is forecast to recover fully in 2010, growing by 20% to over $12 billion. Strong annual growth is projected for the next four years. This is according to the latest analysis from IMS Research.

According to a newly published report from IMS Research, the explosive growth projected for power supplies with digital control and management will increase demand for Silicon Carbide (SiC) diodes, Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) and Microprocessors (MPUs). However, in the long term, this will be at the expense of PFC controller ICs, and analog controllers and regulators.

IMS Research today announced the launch of its new Strategic Market Assessment (SMA) service, which will form the cornerstone of the company’s continued expansion into strategic consulting. SMA will provide clients with objective, detailed and clear recommendations for the best markets to focus on to achieve profitable business growth.

Following the 2009 slump, the power semiconductor discrete and module market bounced back and grew by 43% in 2010 due to a year of spectacular recovery, according to a new report from IMS Research. Against a background of burgeoning demand, delivery challenges and extending lead-times, Infineon retained the No. 1 spot as largest supplier of power discretes and modules according to the analyst firm. It was the largest market share gainer in the power MOSFET market and extended its leadership position in IGBTs. Other manufacturers with growing market shares included power module specialists Mitsubishi and Fuji Electric, with STMicroelectronics, International Rectifier and Vishay also gaining share in power discretes.

The global power semiconductor market will grow by just 5.0% in 2012 to $32 billion, according to IMS Research which has cut its previous forecast of more than 8% due to global economic uncertainties and inventory being flushed from the supply chain. The market, which grew by 37% in 2010 is however forecast to return to double-digit growth in 2013.

The emerging market for Gallium Nitride (GaN) power semiconductors is forecast to grow from almost zero in 2011 to over $1 billion in 2021, according to a new report from IMS Research. The research firm analyzed all of the key end markets for the products found that power supplies, PV inverters and industrial motor drives would be the three main drivers of growth.