Initially developed for the military market by US defense companies, infrared (IR) uncooled cameras are now widely used in many commercial applications. In the Infrared spectrum, long wave infrared (LWIR) is the most common wavelength (8-12 microns). This new 2011 IR report is an updated and in depth analysis of commercial markets covered in the 2010 report. In addition, analysts have included a new analysis of  the military markets.

Commercial business is expanding at a high rate thanks to 3 main markets analyzed in this report:

• Thermography boom is confirmed with camera prices now available for near $1,000 from FLIR that expand the use of IR cameras to maintenance engineers and building inspectors.
• Automotive has increased by + 40% in volume in 2010 with 4 new car models adopting thermal night vision. It is expected that automotive will exceed 500,000 units sales for 2016.
• Surveillance is becoming a key market with several CCTV big camera players introducing many new models of thermal camera : Pelco, Axis, Bosch Security, Samsung Techwin

For these reasons, researchers expect that the overall thermal market will be more than 1,1 million units in 2016 ($3.4 B in value).

Military market as a foundation

Military uncooled camera markets are mainly driven by the huge US Military demand: more than 85% of the world market. Main military applications are for soldiers (weapon sight, portable goggles) and for vehicles (vehicle vision enhancement, remote weapon stations). Weapon sight is the biggest application by far but vehicle vision will grow thanks to several additional thermal cameras  (5 to 7) added per vehicle. Large US military programs are supplied mainly by US military infrared companies with a strong presence of DRS and BAE on various applications.

An evolving value chain

Up to now the major part of the business was done at the camera and the detector level. Cores (modules including detector, electronics and sometimes lenses) were a intermediary limited business. Cores have the advantage to simplify the detector integration for camera manufacturers and add value to detectors for detector manufacturers. As infrared cameras becomes a mass market, several players are expanding their offer (FLIR, opgal) or entering in this business (DRS, SCD, Electrophysic-Ulis, Lumasense ITC, NEC Avio).

FLIR, the market pioneer and leader of uncooled IR cameras (specially for commercial market), continue in 2010-2011 to expand its presence by organic growth and acquisitions of companies (Raymarine and ICX) that use or develop already thermal cameras. There have been many changes among the major players in the value chain of thermal detectors and cameras:

• Vertical integration : acquisition of detectors manufacturer by camera manufacturers (Lumasens, Teledyne)
• Camera business strengthening : acquisition of camera suppliers by thermal cameras companies (L3com with insight, FLIR with ICX and Raymarine, Allied with VDS)
• Technical development :   between NEC and Tamron, Ulis and N2 imaging.

Microbolometer: the key IR detector technology

Microbolometers are the dominant uncooled IR detector technology whose cost will drastically drop (about -15% per year). Vanadium Oxyde (Vox), the current dominant microbolometer material, will be strongly challenged by aSi material and new silicon based material chosen by new market entrants, thanks to their better cost structure, and easier manufacturability.WLP is established as a significant trend for microbolometer packaging with potential packaging cost reduction: FLIR started to use WLP in 2011 on its new Quark core with WLP in 2011, an soon other players will follow (Raytheon, Sensonor, NEC…). In the past only a few Microbolometers manufacturers existed  (9 worldwide), often owned by US camera manufacturers, which limited the cost competition at the detector level.

This landscape  is changing over  the next five years : many new players (Sensonor, Faun Infrared, Bosch), focusing only on selling detectors, often in Europe, will enter on the market place with aggressive price strategies.  Four new players (Teledyne Dalsa, Silex, Melexis, Magnity) have announced in 2010 their development activity in the field of microbolometer plus a Chinese company (Magnity) for the first time.

Key features of the report

The objectives of the report are the following:

• Provide applications understanding

        -Application description
        -Market drivers for thermal cameras, other competitive technologies
        -Main market and technical trends per application

• Provide market data on both camera and detector levels

        -Camera and detectors units shipments, revenues, pricing evolution
        -Detectors/microbolometer sales by format and price evolution by format
        -Market share of the detector manufacturers

• Provide an overview of the IR camera supply chain and value chain

        -Latest acquisitions and alliances
        -Who are the main camera players in each market and their relationships with detectors manufacturers
        -Evolution of the camera and detector manufacturers business models
        -Who are the peripheral players involved : ROIC, optics, foundries…

• Analyze the main technological trends for detector/microbolometer :

        -Pixel size reduction, wafer Level Packaging, 3D integration, Wafer Level Optics, Pixel level packaging, new software functions.

Who should buy this report?

• Microbolometer manufacturers:

        -Identify and evaluate IR camera markets with market size, growth and key customers
        -Analyze the threads and opportunities of new emerging technologies (WLP, WLO…)
        -Monitor and benchmark your competitor’s advancements

• Financial & Strategic investors:

        -Understand the main market dynamics and main technological trends
        -Get the list of the key players and emerging start-ups of the camera and detector industries

• To provide market data on both camera and detector levels:

        -Cameras and detectors unit shipments and revenues
        -Detectors/microbolometer sales and price evolution by format
        -Market share of the detector manufacturers

• To provide an overview of the IR camera supply chain:

        -Who are the main camera players in each market and their relationships with detector manufacturers
        -Evolution of the camera and detector manufacturers business models
        -Who are the periphery players involved: RO IC, optics, foundries…

• To analyze the main technological trends for detector/microbolometer :

        -Pixel size reduction, Wafer Level Packaging, 3D integration, Wafer Level Optics, Pixel Level Packaging

• Equipment & Material manufacturers:

        -Understand the IR camera and detector supply chain and its evolution
        -Identify new opportunities and prospects

• Camera manufacturers:

        -Get the list of the top microbolometer detectors manufacturers
        -Spot the new potential suppliers with disruptive technologies
        -Roadmap potential cost reduction of microbolometer

Company Index

ACREO, Aerius Photonics, Aerovironment, Agiltron, Allied Vision Technologies, Arhus, Associated Technology (Chongqing) Corp, Audi, Autoliv, AXIS Communications, AXSYS, BAE Systems, Beijing Hamilton Technology Limited (BHT), BMW, Bosch, , Bullard, Cantronic, Cobham, Cohu, Current Corp, Dali, DAS Photonics, Draegger, DRS, Elbit, Electrophysics, ETH, Extech, Faun Infrared, Fluke, FocalPlane, Fraunhofer IMS, GM, Goodrich, Guide Infrared, Honda, ICx Technologies, Infrared Solutions, INO, InVisage, Ipht Jena, Irisys, Irvine Sensors , ISG, Jenoptik, KTH, L3 Com, Lumasense Leti, Magnity, Melexis, METU MEMS, Mikrosistemler, Mitsubishi Electric, MSA, Murata, N2 Imaging, NEC Avio, NIT,  NoblePeak Vision, Northrop Grumman, OKSI, Omnivision, Opgal, Pelco, QinetiQ, Qioptiq, Raptor, Raytheon, RedShift, Safran, Sagem, Samsung Techwin, Sarnoff, Satir, SCD, Scott, Schott, Selex Gallileo, SensArrayInfrared, Sensonor, Sensors Unlimited, Silex, Sirica, Sofradir, Sumitomo Electric, Syonix, Tamron, Teledyne Dalsa, Testo, Thales, Thermoteknix, Toshiba, Trijicon, Tyndall, Ulis, , Ulir vision, Umicore, VDS Vosskühler, Vigo Systems, Wenzhou Wealth Port International, Xenics, Zeiss, Ziptronix…

Who should buy this report?

• Microbolometer manufacturers:

        -Identify and evaluate IR camera markets with market size, growth and key customers
        -Analyze the threads and opportunities of new emerging technologies (WLP, WLO…)
        -Monitor and benchmark your competitor’s advancements

• Financial & Strategic investors:

        -Understand the main market dynamics and main technological trends
        -Get the list of the key players and emerging start-ups of the camera and detector industries

• To provide market data on both camera and detector levels:

        -Cameras and detectors unit shipments and revenues
        -Detectors/microbolometer sales and price evolution by format
        Market share of the detector manufacturers

• To provide an overview of the IR camera supply chain:

        -Who are the main camera players in each market and their relationships with detector manufacturers
        -Evolution of the camera and detector manufacturers business models
        -Who are the periphery players involved: RO IC, optics, foundries…

• To analyze the main technological trends for detector/microbolometer :

        -Pixel size reduction, Wafer Level Packaging, 3D integration, Wafer Level Optics, Pixel Level Packaging

• Equipment & Material manufacturers:

        -Understand the IR camera and detector supply chain and its evolution
        -Identify new opportunities and prospects

• Camera manufacturers:

        -Get the list of the top microbolometer detectors manufacturers
        -Spot the new potential suppliers with disruptive technologies
        -Roadmap potential cost reduction of microbolometer

TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Glossary

    Companies mentioned in this report

    Definitions

    Market Research Scope and Methodology

    What we saw and we missed in the 2010 report

    2011 report added content compared to 2010 version

    Executive Summary

    2010 and 2011 Acquisitions and Alliances

    Infrared imaging supply chain new entrants

    Noteworthy News

    Overview of IR Detection Technologies       
        IR Technologies Wavelength segmentation
        Infrared Imaging Functions
        IR Detection Functions : Vision enhancement, thermography
        IR Detection Functions : Vision enhancement, thermography
        Infrared Wavelengths, Functions, and Markets
        IR Technologies :! Wavelength segmentation
        IR Detector Technologies : Cooled and uncooled
        IR Detectors: Two Approaches Thermal & quantum IR detection
        Technology Comparison : Thermal detection
        Technology Comparison :  Quantum detection
        IR Detector Classification & Corresponding Materials
        Uncooled Technologies vs. Wavelength vs. Players
        Players & Technologies for Uncooled IR Imagers
        Conclusions on IR uncooled technologies
        Conclusions on IR Technologies

    IR Uncooled Camera Market Analysis       
        Uncooled IR value chain
        Uncooled IR Camera Business Models and Trends
        Uncooled IR Cameras 2016 market forecast in value ($M)
        Uncooled IR Cameras 2016 market forecast in units
        Breakdown per main application field Thermography / commercial vision / military
        Main IR Camera Manufacturers Positioning
        Uncooled IR Camera Players and Trends
        Uncooled IR Camera Trends
        Camera cores is becoming a key business
        Detector manufacturers business breakdown camera/cores/detectors
        Camera Pricing Evolution
        Comparison With CMOS Image Sensor Evolution
        Comparison With CMOS Image Sensor Evolution
        IR Cameras and Microbolometers : Vision for 2020

    IR Camera Markets Analysis : Thermography Markets   
        Thermography Cameras market forecast in revenues
        Thermography Cameras market forecast in units
        Thermography Cameras Categories
        Thermography Cameras Pricing Evolution
        Lowest price camera from FLIR and Fluke : Cheaper and cheaper
        Thermography Cameras Market players and 2010 market share
        Predictive Maintenance (electrical, mechanical)
        Building Inspection
        Other Thermography Applications
        Thermography Cameras Sales mix and pricing (2010)
        FLIR thermography sales : Volumes are booming
        FLIR thermography sales  : but revenues are growing more slowly…due to camera price reduction
        IR Thermography Camera Supply-Chain Positioning of Main IR Thermography Camera Manufacturers Product range
        IR Camera Manufacturer Positioning
        Portable Test & Measurement Market : Strong synergies with thermal imaging market
        Portable Test & Measurement Market : Players and investment in thermal imaging
        Main Thermography Trends for 2016

    IR Camera Markets Analysis : Commercial Vision    
        Commercial Vision market 2016 forecast in $M
        Commercial Vision market 2016 forecast in units
        FLIR commercial vision sales analysis  :  volumes are booming
        FLIR commercial vision enhancement sales analysis : revenues growth is following
        Surveillance CCTV
        Surveillance/CCTV Camera Categories
        Surveillance CCTV : Big CCTV players are adopting thermal IR technology
        Surveillance CCTV : Positioning of Main IR Camera Manufacturers
        Surveillance CCTV : Prices are coming close to thermography cameras
        Surveillance CCTV : Surveillance Cameras Supply-Chain
        Automotive Vision Enhancement
        IR Automotive Vision Enhancement Camera Supply-Chain
        Firkam German project Microbolometer development
        FLIR automotive detectors sales to Autoliv : huge volume growth in 2010
        Automotive Vision Enhancement : NIR vs FIR detection
        Some Luxury Car Models with Vision Enhancement
        NIR active Driver Assistance System (Bosch example)
        FIR passive Driver Assistance System (Autoliv - BMW example)
        Automotive Vision Enhancement Trends : Toward pedestrian safety systems
        Two Major European R&D Projects For IR vision enhancement system (NVE)
        Automotive Vision – Adose/Bosch Project : FIR & NIR complementary vision
        Autoliv Night Vision roadmap : toward mass production
        FLIR automotive detectors sales : large take off in 2013
        Automotive Vision Enhancement : Conclusions
        Automotive Airbag passenger presence detection (PPD)
        Maritime
        Fire Fighting
        Fire fighting Cameras (without automotive) Supply-Chain
        Other Vision Enhancement Applications

    IR Camera Markets Analysis : Military Vision Markets   
        Military Vision Cameras market 2016 forecast in $M
        Military Vision Cameras Market 2016 forecast in units
        Introduction to military applications : USA is the major market
        Infrared military cameras players
        A growing US military expenses growth up to now but a trend to reduction for the future
        Main infrared military systems market players positioning and rankings
        Main military infrared systems market players geographical location and position
        Military infrared Cameras Supply-Chain
        Thermal Weapon sight (TWS)
        Thermal Weapon Sight contracts announced
        Thermal Weapon Sight programs
        Thermal Weapon sight (TWS) : BAE products evolution from 28 to 17 microns detectors
        Thermal Weapon sight (TWS) : DRS product range and evolution from 25 to 17 microns
        Vehicles Vision Enhancer
        Vehicles Vision Enhancer contracts
        BAE product range for Vehicle vision Enhancement
        Portable soldier vision enhancement
        Portable soldier vision enhancement :Products range
        Portable soldier vision enhancement contracts
        Remote  Weapon Stations (RWS)
        Other Military Applications
        Military market: Conclusions

    IR Detectors /Microbolometers Market Analysis 
        Uncooled IR Detectors : Microbolometers are the leading technology
        Microbolometer Market 2016 forecast in value ($)
        Microbolometer Market 2016 forecast in units
        Microbolometer Players Locations
        Current Microbolometer Players : A concentrated market
        Microbolometer Manufacturers2010 market shares in units
        Current Microbolometer Manufacturer Product Lines Higher resolution as a “Holy Grail”
        2010 Market Estimate by Detector Format
        Main Microbolometer Formats by Market
        Microbolometers Pixel size and format trends
        IR Microbolometer Price Decrease
        a-Si and Silicon Based Microbolometer Market Drivers
        Microbolometer Newcomers
        The Sweden IR Detector Cluster
        Current Microbolometer Players Geographic production breakdown
        New Microbolometer Manufacturer Product Lines : Array size & pitch size
        Newcomers Time to Market
        a-Si Microbolometer Technology Roadmaps
        IR Microbolometer Supply Chain with peripheral players
        Microbolometer manufacturing : Subcontracting production to large foundries

    Microbolometer Description       
        Quantum (Cooled) vs. Thermal Detector
        What are Microbolometers
        Microbolometer Roadmap
        Microbolometer Principle
        Vox Microbolometer design example : Raytheon
        VOx Microbolometer Technology history
        a-Si vs. VOx
        Ulis/Leti Collaborative Roadmap
        Microbolometer Technology Process Flow
        New Approach by Sensonor
        New Approach by Bosch

    Microbolometer Technical Evolution      
        Technical Evolution for Microbolometers
        Major Technical Developments by Player
        3D ROIC Roadmap
        Microbolometer WLP roadmap
        Main Technical Developments by Player
        Simplified optics in infrared cameras cores
        Simplified Optics & WLO
        Simplified Optics & WLO :WLO from ICU project
        Main Technical Developments by Player
        New Pixel Materials
        3D Integration : IR sensor & interconnect evolution
        3D Integration : Example of loophole configuration
        3D Integration 3D ROIC / loophole: the different approaches
        New Approach Monocrystalline Diode Bolometer made by low temperature direct wafer bonding
        3D Integration 3D IC Integration of  Si/SiGe IR Bolometers with ROIC
        Main Technical Developments by Player
        Packaging : Required hermeticity for micro bolometer
        Packaging : Wafer scale packaging
        Packaging : Pixel-level packaging (PLP)
        Microbolometer Testing
        Example of Test Results
        Technical Evolution of Microbolometers : Conclusions

    Conclusions           
    Appendices
    Uncooled IR Players

    Company Profiles          
        Main IR Camera Manufacturers Positioning, Current Microbolometer Foundries
        Vertically Integrated Manufacturer:  FLIR systems (US), DRS technologies (US), BAE Systems (US),
        L3  communication (US), Raytheon Vision Systems (US), Lumasense (US),
        Detectors Merchant Manufacturer : Ulis (FR), SCD (IS)
        Vertically Integrated Manufacturer : NEC Avio (JP)
        Camera Manufacturer : Fluke profile (US), Testo profile (DE), IRISYS (UK)

    Uncooled IR Detector Technologies       

    Other approaches
        Nanobolometer From Tyndall,  Low Cost Microbolometer at Mikrosistemler Ltd., Thermopile Arrays
        Panasonic Thermopile IR detector development, Thermopile FPAs, Ferroelectric BST (Barium Strontium Titanate) FPAs, Pyroelectric imagers,  Microcantilever, (Multispectral Imaging, now Agiltron), Photo Emission Approach by Agiltron & by Sirica,  RedShift Systems, Quantum Films by InVisage Technologies (NIR only), The NIR, SWIR, MWIR Windows, The NIR Window, SWIR, the “third” IR Window, The MWIR Window