Abstract
Amplifiers and comparators together constitute 18 percent of the current
General Purpose Analog product market. These are important signal conditioning
circuits used in most of the mature electronic designs, and also in
next-generation devices in communications, computing, and consumer
electronics. Consumption extends widely across major markets and applications,
and amplifier sales for this year will follow the generally downward trend in
semiconductor demand.
Volume applications markets that require amplifiers and comparators include
wireless base stations, DSL modems and infrastructure, desktop and notebook
computers, printers, and a range of consumer electronics, such as digital
televisions, set-top boxes, and digital cameras. These components are also
being used increasingly in the industrial and automotive markets, which would
include applications such as control infrastructure, ATE, medical electronics,
Mil/Aero navigation and radar, and vehicle navigation and entertainment
systems.
The combined amplifiers and comparators market is valued at $2.2 billion for
2009, with current average annual growth rates of 8 percent and 11 percent
over the next five year forecast period for revenue and shipments respectively.
Amplifiers unit pricing will likely continue to be flat at $0.28 ASP for this
year, because of the lackluster demand. Pricing for amplifiers can be
differentiated clearly between the general purpose or commodity products which
are the lowest priced and the much higher priced instrumentation and precision
segments. Higher priced amplifiers would include the precision components
being utilized in the latest communications products. The remaining segments
such as high-speed, low power, and low voltage, fall just above the market
average for ASPs.
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