MEMS Microphones: a Global Technology, Industry and Market Analysis
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Silicon microphones are among a broad range of devices known as micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), an emerging field in which various sensors and mechanical devices are constructed on a single wafer using processes developed for making Integrated Circuits (ICs). The chief advantage of micromachining silicon microphones is cost. Several sensors can be processed on a chip simultaneously and can be integrated with passive and active electronic devices. Silicon micro-machined microphones (also known as silicon microphones or MEMS microphones) have begun to emerge as a competitor technology to the electret condenser microphone (ECM).
MEMS microphones are more compact than traditional microphone systems because they capture sound and convert it to a digital signal on the same chip. When sound waves hit the microphone's membrane, a thin metal mesh in the middle of the chip, it vibrates, producing a voltage that contains information about the analogue sound signal. But since the analogue signal is produced and converted to a digital signal on the same chip, it never has to experience the harsh electromagnetic environment outside the circuit. And, because interference is less of an issue, insulation is not needed. This allows engineers to place the microphone anywhere that a chip can fit, for example, into a laptop in which multiple microphones can even fit in the bezel surrounding a laptop's monitor.
MEMS microphone solutions developed on the CMOS (complimentary metal oxide semiconductors) MEMS platform frees consumer electronic device designers and manufacturers from many of the problems associated with ECMs. CMOS MEMS microphones also integrate an analogue-to-digital converter on the chip, creating a microphone with a robust digital output. Since the majority of portable applications will ultimately convert the analogue output of the microphone to a digital signal for processing, the system architecture can be made completely digital, removing noise-prone analogue signals from the circuit board and simplifying the overall design.
Many of these new “miniature” silicon microphones for consumer and computer communication devices are approximately one-half the size and operate on just one-third the power of conventional microphones.
STUDY GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
The new iRAP study has focused on MEMS microphones that can be used in mobile phones, digicams, camcorders, laptops, automotive hands-free calling and hearing aids. Production will be low-cost and high-volume. Therefore, the objectives include thorough coverage of the underlying economic issues driving the MEMS microphones business, as well as assessments of new advanced MEMS microphones that are being developed. Another important objective is to provide realistic market data and forecasts for MEMS microphones. This report provides the most thorough and up-to-date assessment.
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY
The MEMS microphones market is an attractive, and still growing, multimillion-dollar market characterized by very high production volumes of MEMS microphones that are extremely reliable and low in cost. So far, the development of the MEMS microphone market has been technology-push oriented. The ECM is entrenched, inexpensive ($0.50 or less), and in terms of traditional metrics such as frequency response and sensitivity, it captures sound relatively faithfully.
Micro-machined microphone chips can match and extend the performance of existing devices, for instance, by using sensor arrays. Silicon microphones also offer advantages to the OEM in the form of improved manufacturing methods (reliability, yield, assembly cost) combined with robustness. They also offer additional functionality, such as the ability to incorporate multiple microphones into portable electronic devices for noise suppression and beam forming. Therefore, iRAP felt a need to do a detailed technology update and analysis in this industry.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE STUDY
This study segmented markets into four applications for MEMS microphone products. The first application consists of mobile phones, digicams, camcorders; the second is laptops; the third is automotive hands-free calling and the last one is hearing aids. Manufacturers of MEMS microphones expect competition to persist and intensify in the future from a number of different sources. Microphones are facing competition in a new, rapidly evolving and highly competitive sector of the audio communication market. Increased competition could result in reduced prices and gross margins for microphone products and could require increased spending by research and development, sales and marketing and customer support.
This study analyses the competing technologies and provides a realistic market data about the size and growth of the MEMS microphones application segments, competition between companies for market share and a technology overview.
This report provides the most thorough and up-to-date assessment that can be found anywhere on the subject. The study also provides an extensive quantification of the many important facets of market developments in emerging markets for MEMS microphones. This contributes to the determination of what kinds of strategic responses suppliers may adopt in order to compete in these dynamic markets.
SCOPE AND FORMAT
The iRAP study focuses on MEMS microphones’ market size and growth, new developments, including a detailed patent analysis, company profiles and industry trends. Another contribution of this report is to provide a detailed and comprehensive study of the market in North America, Europe, Japan and the rest of the world (ROW) for MEMS microphones and potential future business opportunities. These markets have also been estimated according to types of integration, i.e. single chip vs two-chip; and according to the application segments.
TO WHOM THE STUDY CATERS
The study benefits the existing manufacturers of mobile phones, digicams, camcorders, laptops, automobile hands-free calling devices and hearing aids, who seek to expand revenues and market opportunities through adding new technologies such as MEMS microphones, which are positioned to become a preferred solution over conventional ECM applications.
This study provides a technical overview of the MEMS microphones which find applications in mobile phones, digicams, camcorders, laptops, hand-free calling devices and hearing aids, looking at major technology developments and recent patents. Audiences for this study include directors of technologies, marketing and sales executives, business-unit managers and other decision makers as users and suppliers of MEMS microphones, as well as companies peripheral to this business or competitors such as ECM microphone producers,
REPORT SUMMARY
Four major applications are discussed in this report, which will create most of the market for MEMS microphones over the next five years. These are mobile phones, digicams, camcorders, laptops, hand-free calling devices and hearing aids
Manufacturers of MEMS microphones expect competition to persist and intensify in the future from a number of different sources. Microphones are facing competition in a new, rapidly evolving and highly competitive sector of the audio communication market. Increased competition could result in reduced prices and gross margins for microphone products and could require increased spending by research and development, sales and marketing and customer support.
Micro-machined microphone chips can match and extend the performance of existing devices, for instance, by using sensor arrays. Silicon microphones also offer advantages to the OEM in the form of improved manufacturing methods (reliability, yield, assembly cost) combined with robustness. They also offer additional functionality, such as the ability to incorporate multiple microphones into portable electronic devices for noise suppression and beam forming.
The potential for smaller footprint components and resistance to electromagnetic interference also supports new cell phone designs. Moreover, MEMS microphones meet price points set by electret microphones by leveraging established high-volume silicon manufacturing processes. This combination of size, performance and functionality, and low cost are highly desirable for OEMs and consumers alike.
The range of possible applications of these microphones derives from their important advantages as compared to conventional ECM technologies. Based on silicon MEMS technology, the new microphone achieves the same acoustic and electrical properties as conventional microphones, but is more rugged and exhibits higher heat resistance. These properties offer designers of a wide range of products greater flexibility and new opportunities to integrate microphones.
Major findings of this report are:
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Multi-User License at the Same Location - US$3,450.00
Enterprise License - US$4,950.00
Silicon microphones are among a broad range of devices known as micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), an emerging field in which various sensors and mechanical devices are constructed on a single wafer using processes developed for making Integrated Circuits (ICs). The chief advantage of micromachining silicon microphones is cost. Several sensors can be processed on a chip simultaneously and can be integrated with passive and active electronic devices. Silicon micro-machined microphones (also known as silicon microphones or MEMS microphones) have begun to emerge as a competitor technology to the electret condenser microphone (ECM).
MEMS microphones are more compact than traditional microphone systems because they capture sound and convert it to a digital signal on the same chip. When sound waves hit the microphone's membrane, a thin metal mesh in the middle of the chip, it vibrates, producing a voltage that contains information about the analogue sound signal. But since the analogue signal is produced and converted to a digital signal on the same chip, it never has to experience the harsh electromagnetic environment outside the circuit. And, because interference is less of an issue, insulation is not needed. This allows engineers to place the microphone anywhere that a chip can fit, for example, into a laptop in which multiple microphones can even fit in the bezel surrounding a laptop's monitor.
MEMS microphone solutions developed on the CMOS (complimentary metal oxide semiconductors) MEMS platform frees consumer electronic device designers and manufacturers from many of the problems associated with ECMs. CMOS MEMS microphones also integrate an analogue-to-digital converter on the chip, creating a microphone with a robust digital output. Since the majority of portable applications will ultimately convert the analogue output of the microphone to a digital signal for processing, the system architecture can be made completely digital, removing noise-prone analogue signals from the circuit board and simplifying the overall design.
Many of these new “miniature” silicon microphones for consumer and computer communication devices are approximately one-half the size and operate on just one-third the power of conventional microphones.
STUDY GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
The new iRAP study has focused on MEMS microphones that can be used in mobile phones, digicams, camcorders, laptops, automotive hands-free calling and hearing aids. Production will be low-cost and high-volume. Therefore, the objectives include thorough coverage of the underlying economic issues driving the MEMS microphones business, as well as assessments of new advanced MEMS microphones that are being developed. Another important objective is to provide realistic market data and forecasts for MEMS microphones. This report provides the most thorough and up-to-date assessment.
REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY
The MEMS microphones market is an attractive, and still growing, multimillion-dollar market characterized by very high production volumes of MEMS microphones that are extremely reliable and low in cost. So far, the development of the MEMS microphone market has been technology-push oriented. The ECM is entrenched, inexpensive ($0.50 or less), and in terms of traditional metrics such as frequency response and sensitivity, it captures sound relatively faithfully.
Micro-machined microphone chips can match and extend the performance of existing devices, for instance, by using sensor arrays. Silicon microphones also offer advantages to the OEM in the form of improved manufacturing methods (reliability, yield, assembly cost) combined with robustness. They also offer additional functionality, such as the ability to incorporate multiple microphones into portable electronic devices for noise suppression and beam forming. Therefore, iRAP felt a need to do a detailed technology update and analysis in this industry.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE STUDY
This study segmented markets into four applications for MEMS microphone products. The first application consists of mobile phones, digicams, camcorders; the second is laptops; the third is automotive hands-free calling and the last one is hearing aids. Manufacturers of MEMS microphones expect competition to persist and intensify in the future from a number of different sources. Microphones are facing competition in a new, rapidly evolving and highly competitive sector of the audio communication market. Increased competition could result in reduced prices and gross margins for microphone products and could require increased spending by research and development, sales and marketing and customer support.
This study analyses the competing technologies and provides a realistic market data about the size and growth of the MEMS microphones application segments, competition between companies for market share and a technology overview.
This report provides the most thorough and up-to-date assessment that can be found anywhere on the subject. The study also provides an extensive quantification of the many important facets of market developments in emerging markets for MEMS microphones. This contributes to the determination of what kinds of strategic responses suppliers may adopt in order to compete in these dynamic markets.
SCOPE AND FORMAT
The iRAP study focuses on MEMS microphones’ market size and growth, new developments, including a detailed patent analysis, company profiles and industry trends. Another contribution of this report is to provide a detailed and comprehensive study of the market in North America, Europe, Japan and the rest of the world (ROW) for MEMS microphones and potential future business opportunities. These markets have also been estimated according to types of integration, i.e. single chip vs two-chip; and according to the application segments.
TO WHOM THE STUDY CATERS
The study benefits the existing manufacturers of mobile phones, digicams, camcorders, laptops, automobile hands-free calling devices and hearing aids, who seek to expand revenues and market opportunities through adding new technologies such as MEMS microphones, which are positioned to become a preferred solution over conventional ECM applications.
This study provides a technical overview of the MEMS microphones which find applications in mobile phones, digicams, camcorders, laptops, hand-free calling devices and hearing aids, looking at major technology developments and recent patents. Audiences for this study include directors of technologies, marketing and sales executives, business-unit managers and other decision makers as users and suppliers of MEMS microphones, as well as companies peripheral to this business or competitors such as ECM microphone producers,
REPORT SUMMARY
Four major applications are discussed in this report, which will create most of the market for MEMS microphones over the next five years. These are mobile phones, digicams, camcorders, laptops, hand-free calling devices and hearing aids
Manufacturers of MEMS microphones expect competition to persist and intensify in the future from a number of different sources. Microphones are facing competition in a new, rapidly evolving and highly competitive sector of the audio communication market. Increased competition could result in reduced prices and gross margins for microphone products and could require increased spending by research and development, sales and marketing and customer support.
Micro-machined microphone chips can match and extend the performance of existing devices, for instance, by using sensor arrays. Silicon microphones also offer advantages to the OEM in the form of improved manufacturing methods (reliability, yield, assembly cost) combined with robustness. They also offer additional functionality, such as the ability to incorporate multiple microphones into portable electronic devices for noise suppression and beam forming.
The potential for smaller footprint components and resistance to electromagnetic interference also supports new cell phone designs. Moreover, MEMS microphones meet price points set by electret microphones by leveraging established high-volume silicon manufacturing processes. This combination of size, performance and functionality, and low cost are highly desirable for OEMs and consumers alike.
The range of possible applications of these microphones derives from their important advantages as compared to conventional ECM technologies. Based on silicon MEMS technology, the new microphone achieves the same acoustic and electrical properties as conventional microphones, but is more rugged and exhibits higher heat resistance. These properties offer designers of a wide range of products greater flexibility and new opportunities to integrate microphones.
Major findings of this report are:
- The MEMS microphones market is an attractive, and still growing, multimillion-dollar market characterized by very high production volumes of MEMS microphones that are extremely reliable and low in cost.
- In 2006, the global market for MEMS microphones has reached $140 million and will increase to $922 million by 2011 with an annual average growth rate of 45.7%.
- Mobile phones, digcams and camcorders will have the largest share in 2006 followed by laptops.
- From 2006 to 2011, the largest growth rate will be for laptops – as much as 72% AAGR from 2006 to 2011.
- Regionally, North America had about 21.4% of the market in 2006, followed by Europe at 16.4 %, Japan at 14.2%, and the rest of world at 47.8 %.
- There are less than a dozen players who are sharing the global market in 2006. BY 2011, the number of companies producing MEMS microphones will double.
Contents
INTRODUCTIONStudy Goals and Objectives
Reasons for Doing the Study
Contributions of the Study
Scope and Format
Methodology
Information Sources
Audiences for the Study
Author’s Credentials
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Summary Table A Global Market Size/percentage Share for Mems Microphones, 2006 and 2011
Summary Figure A Global Market for Mems Microphones by Applications in 2006 and 2011
Summary Table B North American and Global Markets for Mems Microphones, 2006 and 2011
Summary Figure B North American and Global Markets for Mems Microphones in 2006 and 2011
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Background of Mems Microphones
Mems Microphone Chip
Mems Advantage
Memes Microphone Applications and Markets
Mobile Phones, Pdas, Digicams, Camcorders
Table 1 Forecast for Mems Microphones in Mobile Phones, Pdas, Digicams, Camcorders, 2006-2011
Laptops
Table 2 Market for Mems Microphones in Laptops, 2005, 2006 and 2011
Automotive Hands-free Communication Systems
Table 3 Forecast for Mems Microphones in Automotive Hands-free Communivcation Systems
Hearing Aids
Table 4 Forecast for Mems Microphones in Hearing Aids 2006-2011
Industry Structure
Table 5 Specific Foundries Associated With Mems Microphone Manufacturing Capabilities in 2006
Industry Dynamics and Global Market
One-chip Cmos-mems Technology for Microphones
Figure 1 Single-chip Design of Mems Microphones
Two-chip Technology for Microphones
Figure 2 Two-chip Design of Mems-microphones
Market According to Technologies
Table 6 Summary of Global Market for Mems Microphones by Technology Through 2011
Figure 3 Percentage Share of Global Market for Mems Microphones by Technology, 2006 and 2011
Market According to Applications
Table 7 Summary of Global Market for Mems Microphones ny Application Through 2011
Figure 4 Percentage Share of Global Market for Mems Microphones by Application, 2006 and 2011
TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW
Audio Microphones
Condenser Microphones
Unidirectional and Omni-directional Microphones
Mems Microphones
Table 8 Formulas Used to Define Audio Quality Characteristics of Microphones
Fabrication of a Membrane Chip
Types of Microphones
Capacitive Microphones
Piezo-resistive Microphones
Piezoelectric Microphones
Optical Microphones
FET Microphones
Typical Fabrication Process
Figure 5 Processing Steps for Cmos-mems Microhones
Figure 6 Layout of Serpentine Mesh Design Showing two Unit Cells in a Mems Microphone
Table 9 Sequence Followed in Typical Eight Fabrication Processes of Mems Microphones
Dry Etching in Mems Microphones
Wet Etching in Mems Microphones
Table 10 Explanation of key Terminologies Used in Manufacturing of Mems Microphones
MEMS and Integrated Circuit Fabrication Processes Compared
Packaging
Table 11 Explanation of key Terminologies Used in Packaging of MEMS Microphones low Cost MEMS Microphone Manufacturing on the Principle of ic Chip Manufacturing
Table 12 Technology Listing of Manufacturers of Surface Mountable, Chip-size Package MEMS Microphones
Table 13 Typical Sizes of Commercially Available MEMS Microphones Description of Electronic Chip Integrated in MEMS Microphones
Table 14 key Terminologies Used to Define Types of Electronic Circuits Integrated in MEMS Microphones
MEMS Microphone Construction
Diaphragm
AIR Gap
Characteristics of MEMS Microphones
Current Materials Used in MEMS Microphones
Fabrication Techniques
Surface Activity
INDUSTRY STRUCTURE AND MARKETS
Competitive Innovation Trends
Table 15 Company Product Reference for MEMS Microphones
Table 16 Percentage Share of World Market of top Five Companies Manurfacturing MEMS Microphones in 2006 Partnership and Consolidation
Table 17 Acquisition and Collaborations Among Manufacturers of MEMS Microphones From 2000 – ‘06 Regional Market
Table 18 Summary of Global Market for MEMS Microphones by Region Through 2011
Figure 7 Regional Percentages of Market Share for MEMS Microphones in 2006 and 2011
PATENTS AND PATENT ANALYSIS
List of Patents
Silicon-based Transducer for use in Hearing Instruments and Listening Devices
MEMS Based Acoustic Array
Silicon Microphone
High-order Directional Microphone Diaphragm
Ultrathin Form Factor MEMS Microphones and Microspeakers
Flexible MEMS Transducer and Manufacturing Method Thereof, and Flexible MEMS Wireless Microphone
Smt-type Structure of the Silicon-based Electret Condenser Microphone
Method of Providing a Hydrophobic Layer and a Condenser Microphone Having Such a Layer
Process of Making an All-silicon Microphone
Method for Producing a Filled Recess in a Material Layer, and an Integrated Circuit Configuration Produced by the Method
High Performance Silicon Condenser Microphone With Perforated Single-crystal Silicon Backplate
Implantable Microphone Having Improved Sensitivity and Frequency Response
Method of Manufacturing a Semiconductor Component Having a Fixed Electrode Between two Flexible Diaphragms
Implantable Microphone Having Improved Sensitivity and Frequency Response
Patent Analysis According to Companies
Table 19 Number of US Patents Granted to Companies Manufacturing MEMS Microphones From 2002 Through 2006 (up to dec 31)
Figure 8 Illustrations of US Patents Issued to Companies in MEMS Microphones From January 2002 and December 2006
Patent Analysis According to Regions
Table 20 Number of US Patents Granted by Assigned Country/region for MEMS Microphones From Jan. 2002 to Dec. 2006
Figure 9 US Patents Granted for MEMS Microphones by Region From 2002 Through 2006
COMPANY PROFILES
Akustica, Inc.
Carnegie Mellon University
Delephi Technologies, Inc.
Infineon Technologies Ag
Institute of Microelectronics
Industrial Technology Research Institute (itri)
JL Wolrd
Knowles Acoustics
Memes Technology Bhd
Motorola, Inc.
National Semiconductor
Samsung Electronics co. Ltd.
Sonion A/s
Symphonix Devices, Inc./MED-EL
The Research Foundation of the State University of new York
University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
LIST OF TABLES
Summary Table a: Global Market Size/percentage Share for MEMS Microphones, 2006 and 2011
Summary Table b: North American and Global Markets for MEMS Microphones, 2006 and 2011
Table 1: Forecast for MEMS Microphones in Mobile Phones, Pdas, Digicams, Camcorders, 2006-2011
Table 2: Market for MEMS Microphones in Laptops, 2005, 2006 and 2011
Table 3: Forecast for MEMS Microphones in Automotive Hands-free Communication Systems
Table 4: Forecast of MEMS Microphones in Hearing Aids 2006-2011
Table 5: Specific Foundries Associated With MEMS Microphone Manufacturing Capabilities in 2006
Table 6: Summary of Global Market for MEMS Microphones by Technology Through 2011
Table 7: Summary of Global Market for MEMS Microphones by Application Through 2011
Table 8: Formulas Used to Define Audio Quality /characterstics of Microphones
Table 8: Formulas Used to Define Audio Quality /characterstics of Microphones (continued)
Table 9: Sequences Follwed in Typical Eight Fabrication Processes of MEMS Microphones
Table 9: Sequences Follwed in Typical Eight Fabrication Processes of MEMS Microphones (continued)
Table 9: Sequences Follwed in Typical Eight Fabrication Processes of MEMS Microphones (continued)
Table 9: Sequences Follwed in Typical Eight Fabrication Processes of MEMS Microphones (continued)
Table 9 Sequences Follwed in Typical Eight Fabrication Processes of MEMS Microphones (continued)
Table 10: Explanation of key Terminologies Used in Manufacturing of MEMS Microphones
Table 10: Explanation of key Terminologies Used in Manufacturing of MEMS Microphones (continued)
Table 10 Explanation of key Terminologies Used in Manufacturing of MEMS Microphones (continued)
Table 11: Explanation of key Terminologies Used in Packaging of MEMS Microphones
Table 11: Explanation of key Terminologies Used in Packaging of MEMS Microphones (continued)
Table 11: Explanation of key Terminologies Used in Packaging of MEMS Microphones (continued)
Table 12: Technology Listing of Manufacturers of Surface Mountable, Chip-size Package MEMS Microphones
Table 13: Typical Sizes of Commercially Available MEMS Microphones in 2006
Table 14: key Terminologies Used to Define Types of Electronic Circuits Integrated in MEMS Microphones
Table 15: Company Product Reference for MEMS Microphones
Table 16: Percentage Share of World Market of top Five Companies Manufacturing MEMS Microphones in 2006
Table 17: Acquisitions and Collaborations Among Manufacturers of MEMS Microphones From 2000 to 2006
Table 18: Summary of Global Market for MEMS Microphones by Region Through 2011
Table 19: Number of U.s. Patents Granted to Companies Manufacturing MEMS Microphones From 2002 Through 2006 (upto dec 31)
Table 20: Number of U.s. Patents Granted by Assigned Country/region for MEMS Microphones From Jan. 2002 to 2006
LIST OF FIGURES
Summary Figure a: Global Market for MEMS Microphones by Application in 2006 and 2011
Summary Figure b: North American and Global Market for MEMS Microphones by Application in 2006 and 2011
Figure 1: Single-chip Design of MEMS Microphones
Figure 2: Two-chip Design of MEMS-microphones
Figure 3: Percentage Share of Global Market for MEMS Microphones by Technology, 2006 and 2011
Figure 4: Percentage Share of Global Market for MEMS Microphones by Application, 2006 and 2011
Figure 5: Processing Steps for Cmos-MEMS Microphones
Figure 6: Layout of Serpentine Mesh Design Showing two Unit Cells in a MEMS Microphone
Figure 7: Regional Percentages of Market Share for MEMS Microphones in 2006 and 2011
Figure 8: Illustrations of us Patents Issued to Companies in MEMS Microphones From January 2002 and December 2006
Figure 9: U.s. Patents Granted for MEMS Microphones by Region From 2002 Through 2006 Skip to top