Abstract
Interface ICs are critical components in the process of connecting electrical
signals according to the voltage and current requirements of various
transmission lines and hardware buses. These devices are used in systems in a
variety of different ways to transfer, route, and time electrical signals
among a given system' s memory, microprocessor, and various peripherals, and
also between interconnected systems.
Databeans predicts that the worldwide interface market will reach $4.3 billion
in sales for 2009. Revenue is projected to experience modest compound annual
growth of 8 percent annually over the forecasted period. The market is
currently led by Texas Instruments who controls over 20 percent of total
revenue. Other top suppliers include Maxim Integrated Products, National
Semiconductor, NXP Semiconductors, and Analog Devices.
The computer sector, in particular PCs and servers, are the major driving
force behind interface revenue with $2.4 billion, or 45 percent of the market.
Communications and consumer electronics are other major application markets
for interface, with consumer experiencing higher than average growth of 9
percent over the next five years for revenue.
Databeans segments the interface market into three major product categories:
Analog, Digital Interconnect, and USB Controllers. Digital interface products
primarily connect circuits and include UARTs, modems, and Ethernet products.
These represent the largest portion of the interface market with approximately
half of total consumption. Analog interface accounted for another 40 percent
of sales with numerous connection standards including FireWire, CAN, PCI,
RS-232 and many others. The final category of USB controllers account for just
the remaining 10 percent of interface revenue, but are growing steadily at 11
percent annually.
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