MEMS microphones are already widely used in consumer applications such as mobile phones and laptops. More and more mobile phones are using 2 or more MEMS microphones for Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and other consumer applications such as laptops, camcorders etc. are also tending to use MEMS microphones array (2, 4 or 6 microphones) to have the multidirectional function.

The mobile phone market is still the largest consumer of MEMS microphones. With the penetration of MEMS microphones in the iphone 4 and other smart phones, analysts estimate rapid growth of the market in 2011-2016. By 2013, shipments will increase to over 1 billion units.

Until now, Knowles has remained market leader with more than 80% market share. Even though competitors are growing, such as AAC Acoustic Technologies, Hosiden and BSE, how to compete with Knowles remains the big question for the rest of the players in this industry.

And therefore, the business models of some players are changing. Infineon has turned into a microphone die supplier and works with Asian MEMS microphone players and meanwhile other companies are trying to become microphone manufacturer instead of being just foundry. Some players say that it is just a step of transition to buy microphone dies from others. This report offers a more in-depth discussion on this scope.

As the industry becomes more and more competitive, the IP rights and packaging patents are critical for manufacturers to achieve performance and cost challenges. This report will include a special focus on this part and will describe recent disputes of main players.

OBJECTIVES OF THE REPORT

–      To provide an overview of MEMS microphone technologies, packaging & patents

–      To provide market data on MEMS microphone market: key market metrics & dynamics:

• Unit shipments and revenues

• Penetration rate by application

• Complete forecast of the market in 2010-2016

• Average selling price analysis and expected evolution

• Market shares with detailed breakdown for each player

–      To provide a deep understanding of MEMS microphone value chain:

• Exhaustive list of players for each step: die, ASIC, packaging…

• Analysis on the new players and potential new entrants

• Analysis on the change of business models and strategies of the main players and new challengers

–      To provide application focus on key existing markets and most promising emerging ones: new features, technology evolution, insight about future opportunities & challenges:

• Functions that are used, new features and specification requirements

• Technology roadmaps with functionalities

• Insight about future technology trends & manufacturing challenges: evolution of front-end MEMS manufacturing, new packaging technologies…

REPORT OUTLINE

• MEMS Microphone technologies
• IP and packaging patents status
• Worldwide market metrics: 2010 – 2016 market forecast ($M, M units, ASP)
• 2010 market shares, future trends
• MEMS microphone market challenges and opportunities
• Supply chain & evolution of business model
• Key MEMS microphone manufacturer’s profiles & New products features, teardown & reverse costing

KEY COMPANIES CITED IN THE REPORT

AAC Acoustic Technologies, Akustica/Bosch, Analog Devices, APM, Apogee, Apple, ASE, AudioPixels, Auxitrol, AvagoTech, B&K, BenQ, BSE, Continental, CSIL, CSMC-Tech, Draper Lab, Goertek, Google, GMEMS, Hosiden, Infineon, INN, Knowles acoustics/SonionMEMS, LG, Lingsen Pecision Industries, MEMSensing, MEMSTech, Merry electronics,  Microflown, MosArt Packaging, Motorola, NASA, NCT, Nokia, NXP, Omron, Panasonic, Phone Or, Samsung, Siemens, Silicon Matrix, Solid State System, ST Microelectronics, Tong Hsing, TDK-EPC, Toshiba, UMC, VK mobile, VTT Electronics, Wolfson, Xfab, Yamaha

WHO SHOULD BUY THIS REPORT

• MEMS microphone manufacturers

–  Evaluate market potential of future technologies and products for new application markets

–  Understand the differentiated value of your products and technologies in this market

–  Identify new business opportunities and partners

–  Monitor and benchmark your competitor’s advancements

• MEMS microphone & packaging foundries

–  Understand what are the applications that will drive the volumes

–   Identify new business opportunities and prospects

• Mixed-signal companies & ASIC manufacturers, Software specialists

–  Spot new opportunities and define diversification strategies

• Consumer Electronic OEMs

–  Evaluate market potential of future technologies and products for new application markets

–  Screen potential new suppliers of microphones

–  Evaluate the benefits of using MEMS microphones in your end system

• R&D centers

–  Understand the impact of new MEMS microphone manufacturing and packaging technologies

–  Evaluate market potential of future technologies and products for new application markets

• Financial & strategic investors

–  Understand the structure and value chain of the MEMS microphone industry

–   Estimate the potential of new devices

–   Get the list of the key players and emerging start-ups of this industry worldwide


TABLE OF CONTENTS

•   Introduction, Definitions & Methodology

•   Executive summary   
            

1.  MEMS Microphone Definition and Technologies Overview      

–    Advantages compared to ECM

–    Detection principals

–    Monolithic VS. Several chip solution

–     Analog/Digital microphones

–    Packaging & Patents
 

2.  MEMS Microphone Industry Supply Chain and Main Players  

–   Supply chain overview

–    Evolution of business models

–    Main Players’ Profiles and Products

–    Strategy of Main Players / New Challengers

–    Geographic evolution

–    Inactive players, M&A and latest announcements
 

3.  MEMS Microphone Applications and Market by Application                

–    Mobile phone application

–    Laptop and other consumer application

–    Medical, Automotive and Military application

–    Penetration rate of MEMS microphone

–    MEMS microphone market forecast split by application
 

4.  Technology Evolution and  Trends

–    MEMS Microphone Technology roadmap

–    Manufacturing and packaging evolution

–    Challenges and opportunities

–    From microphone to speaker?


•  Conclusion                                

•   Appendix