SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The optoelectronics, sensors/actuators, and discrete markets account for about 15% of total semiconductor revenues, and their combined revenues are increasing at a CAGR of 13% per year between 2002 and 2012, says IC Insights.
By 2012, total O-S-D sales are expected to exceed $66 billion, up from $38 billion in 2007, according to the firm’s forecast.
The $256 billion semiconductor universe consists of ICs and (O-S-D) components, says IC Insights.
The O-S-D market plays a vital role in the overall health and advancement of the semiconductor and electronic systems industries. Some of the industry's fastest growing product categories and manufacturing technologies are CMOS image sensors, MEMS-based sensors/actuators, laser transmission devices, high-brightness LEDs, microphone chips, fingerprint sensors, and new power transistors used in portable electronics, power supplies, and automotive electronics. After lagging IC market growth in the 1980s and most of the 1990s, O-S-D revenues began increasing at a stronger rate 10 years ago, says IC Insights.
STAMFORD, CT – GartnerInc. forecasts a 7% sequential decline for first-quarter semiconductor sales, and says growth prospects for 2008 will hinge largely on the second quarter.
BEDFORD, UK – Briton EMS has expanded into a plant that is double the size of its Caxton Park manufacturing site, and added an SMT line to meet growing demand.
The expanded site is now 22,000 sq. ft.
The new line includes a Speedprint stencil printer, Mydata MY19E placement machine, a Heller oven and Nutek handlers.
CAPE TOWN, AFRICA – The SMART Group South Africa will host a series of seminars on manufacturing process improvement this month, and is offering free slots to students in South African University’s electronics departments.
The seminars feature top speakers from Europe and the US, including Circuits Assembly columnist Phil Zarrow, and will take place April 21 in Stellenbosch, April 22-23 in Midrand, and April 24 in Durban.
In a press release, chairman Steve Eglinton said, “A key aim of SMART Group SA is to educate and improve the knowledge of our electronics engineers, and this is a great way of reaching the people who will shape the future of the electronics industry within South Africa.”