If there is one thing that magnetic sensor manufacturers can confirm, it is continuous growth for magnetic sensor market, at least by 2017. This not only stems from vehicles’ continuing contribution, the new applications such as mobile device also generates great opportunity.
Revenue for global magnetic sensor will grow by 7% this year, reaching $1.73 billion from $1.62 billion last year, according to
market research firm IHS. Heading for the next few years, growth trend will maintain, with takings amounting to $1.85 billion and $2.20 billion in 2014 and 2017, respectively, IHS said.
Automotive market is the major driving force. The increasing vehicle safety systems mandates, especially in developed countries, including United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia, South Korea and Japan accelerates the application of electronic stability control (ESC), tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), bringing hope to steering-wheel-angle sensors.
“More than 5 billion magnetic sensors and switches were sold last year, with automotive accounting for 52 percent of revenue and the consumer and mobile sector making up another 37 percent,” said Richard Dixon, principal analyst for MEMS and sensors at IHS.
He also noted that there are other applications, including industry, energy, medical and other smaller applications, such as the transport, aerospace and maritime sectors.
Worth noting, mobile segment is playing a more important role. For instance, offering electronic compasses used in mobile handsets and tablets made Japanese Asahi Kasei Microsystem become the largest supplier of magnetic sensors in 2012. Driven by the continuous growth of smartphone as well as tablet PC, the expansion of proportion (37% in 2012) is a matter of time, the industry believes.
Magnetic sensors are used to track rotational speed and linear angles in machines and devices, or to detect and process magnetic fields to establish positioning.
Tags：
magnetic sensor, growth, mobile devices, automotive market,