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TECHNAVIO says miniaturisation and advanced packaging will continue to drive growth in the global MEMS microphone market through 2020.
The global MEMS microphone market is expected to reach close to USD$2 billion by 2020, with a CAGR of over 12 percent.
MEMS microphones are being integrated in most audio applications and are growing in popularity due to their digital output, monolithic structure, and high tolerance to mechanical vibration.
Electronics makers Apple and Samsung purchase the majority of the MEMS microphones in the world, which they use in their consumer electronic products.
In particular, MEMS microphones are used in smartphones and tablets to improve sound clarity and eliminate ambient sounds. While the demand for high-end smart phones is plateauing, there is still a high demand for MEMS microphones.
Additionally, the technology is gaining traction in the healthcare sector as it is being integrated into hearing aids and blood pressure monitoring systems.
According to Technavio, two emerging trends driving the global MEMS microphone market are miniaturisation and advanced packaging.
While MEMS microphones are already 10 times smaller than electret condenser microphones, they are expected to get even smaller, with more functionalities as the technology develops.
This continued miniaturisation will contribute to the ongoing popularity of the component, since it occupies less space when embedded in electronic devices, uses less power, and results in more sturdy electronics devices.
The pressure to integrate 9-axis sensors in a single package, and the increasing shipments of MEMS sensors means there is a focus on the importance of MEMS packaging, and its standardisation.
Other types of advanced MEMS packaging include low-temperature wafer bonding, doped polysilicon, and silicon interposers for packaging and packing MEMS at wafer dicing level.
The global MEMS microphone market is marked by the entry of numerous new vendors, which in turn has resulted in the decline of average selling prices of MEMS microphones. This is compelling vendors to offer their products at low prices, thus affecting their revenue.