Since 2H 2009 the Micro Logic market has been on an upswing. The momentum continues into 2010. Semico foresees sustained growth for the next couple of years.
What is driving this growth? MPUs dominate revenues for ML. This reflects the renewed growth of the PC market. However, MCUs account for the unit volume. How is each of the MCU segments doing? Which markets are driving the growth for embedded control?
The latest Semico report, “Micro Logic Overview 2010: A Market on the Rebound”, answers these questions and more. This is a report dense with data showing the details and future trends of the MPU, MCU and DSP markets.
Flash Solid State Drives (SSD) offer great advantages for computing in terms of power consumption and compact size. However, as a replacement for Hard Disk Drives (HDD) it is difficult to compete on price in terms of memory storage per dollar.
Flash and SSD vendors are expected to continue to make improvements in density offering more GB/$, more reliable products, better wear-level algorithms, and longer write cycle lifetimes. Higher densities at consumer level prices will enable growth in mobile PCs.
The need for low power and fast response will drive the penetration rates for SSDs, especially in the enterprise segment. The demand on bandwidth from social networking and the goal to make data centers more “green” are key factors for SSD growth in servers.
Semico Research presents its more recent forecasts for computing systems and the penetration rates for SSDs. The growth for SSDs in computing is expected to be exponential.
The Apple iPad will be shipping April 3, 2010. If you have already pre-ordered, you will get it at that time. If you still need to order the iPad, you will be waiting until after April 12. According to recent news items, the pre-order levels may have exceeded Apple’s initial expectations.
Apple experienced a huge surge in orders the first day pre-orders were available. Pre-orders have fallen to a slow but steady pace ever since. After two weeks of orders it appears that approximately 240K pre-orders are on the books. Now the question is not so much whether Apple can deliver the product on time, but can it deliver on the hype?
There are high expectations for the iPad, but is the hype just Apple’s loyal following? What will Apple offer to make the iPad attractive to the mass market? How will the iPad compete with e-readers and netbooks? What is the market potential for tablet PCs? What are some of the issues for the semiconductor industry and what are the business opportunities for chip vendors?
Semico Research has prepared a market brief, “Apple iPad: A New Computing Paradigm or the iPhone on Steroids?” Semico examines various questions and issues around the iPad and tablet PCs in general. The market segment of tablet PCs has yet to truly emerge. This market brief will address some of the competitive factors that are likely to influence its development.
For additional information or to purchase this report, please contact Sam Caldwell at samc@semico.com or 602-214-9697.
Netbooks are a new emerging category of Personal Computers. There have been several efforts over the years for a low-cost and compact mobile PC. The introduction of the Intel Atom microprocessor in 2008 spurred the growth of netbooks, reaching 12.5 million units in 2008. The key feature for a netbook is that it is designed primarily for web browsing and emailing. Thus, wireless connectivity to the Internet is necessary. Low-power consumption, compact design and light weight are essential. The success of Atom based netbooks has spurred interest in competing designs. Via Technologies has been shipping its 80x86 compatible Nano. Several companies have ARM-based designs that hit the market or are expected to launch in 2009. The processor vendors for these netbooks include Nvidia, Texas Instruments, Freescale, and Qualcomm. There are two battles shaping up. One is among the chip vendors – x86 vs ARM. The other is the operating system – Microsoft vs Linux. This latest report from Semico Research, “Netbook PCs: A New Platform Battleground”, examines the usage models and market drivers for this emerging market. What are “smartbooks?” What are the market and technology trends? What has been the impact of netbooks on the MPU market? Learn more about the competition among both chip vendors and operating systems for netbooks, such as Windows and Android.
Just as about everyone in the U.S. experienced fireworks on the 4th, or at the very least has at one point or another, most have used some gadget requiring embedded controllers. Embedded controllers comprise standard off the shelf microprocessors (MPUs), microcontrollers (MCUs) and various other devices with MPU or MCU cores. According to Semico Research Corp., the embedded control market continues to outpace the overall semiconductor market. (For more, click on "more info" below) More Information View Table of Contents Contact Sam Caldwell at 602-214-9697 for more information and to purchase this study.
The embedded control market has emerged from a turbulent ride with a new competitive landscape. Companies are offering new and innovative products, industry leaders have consolidated and new players have emerged. This report examines the market for embedded control and its evolution through the 2002 timeframe as a backdrop for developing a current competitive profile of the leading vendors. (To continue, click on the "More Information" link below.) More Information View Table of Contents Contact Sam Caldwell at 602-214-9697 for more information and to purchase this study.
In 2003, several chip vendors will be making a strong thrust into the next generation of wireless communication and related products. According to Semico, an emerging class of devices dubbed Application Media Processors will be the key to enabling the convergence of communications and multimedia in 3G cell phones, smart phones, PDAs and other devices. (To continue, click on the "More Information" link below.) More Information View Table of Contents Contact Sam Caldwell at 602-214-9697 for more information and to purchase this study.
In recent years, embedded Flash in Microcontrollers (MCUs) has grown quickly. The use of Flash was driven initially by high-end applications, such as automotive engine control, that could justify the relatively high cost. The advantages of in-circuit reprogramming and non-volatile memory are making Flash attractive to a wide variety of applications across the spectrum of MCU types. This report analyzes the MCU markets by embedded memory type, memory range and memory technology. it provides a breakdown of the 8,16 and 32 bit MCU market and provides dollar and unit shipments by memory range, technology and density for each market. More Information View Table of Contents Contact Sam Caldwell at 602-214-9697 for more information and to purchase this study.
In our latest report on the embedded control end use market analysis, a number of highlights stand out including: In 2002, and with the exclusion of DSP, the total embedded control market grew 8.7%, Semico expects this market to continue its rebound with sales growing 21.5%, and for 2004, we are forecasting that embedded control will continue to grow to 25.6%. Fueling this will be the flattening decline of the cell phone handset market in 2002, strong growth for digital TV set top boxes in 2002, driving high-end embedded controls, and additional growth in the telecomm and datacomm infrastructure, as well as the overall cell phone market. Additional strong growth is predicted for the automotive market, although the overall consumer market will be flat for 2002, due to slow economic recovery. Tables / figures will include total micro logic, computer, consumer, and communications market by controller type, MCU revenues by bit-type, high-end embedded controller end use markets, embedded MPU / MCU markets, embedded core markets, computer peripherals and office automation. Automotive, industrial, and other categories also included. More Information View Table of Contents Contact Sam Caldwell at 602-214-9697 for more information and to purchase this study.
