Market for Acceleration, Vibration and Velocity Sensors Remains Untapped

    SAN JOSE, Calif.--April 2, 2001--A lack of awareness about acceleration, vibration and velocity (AVV) sensors, as used in piezoresistive, piezoelectric and capacitive technologies, is leaving nearly 60 percent of the potential market for these sensors untapped.
    Frost & Sullivan (www.sensors.frost.com) reveals that the World AVV Markets, generated revenues of $794 million in 2000. Frost & Sullivan projects that number to climb to $1.1 billion in 2007. This projection includes the acceleration, vibration and velocity sensors for the piezoelectric, piezoresistive and capacitive technologies.
    Despite the promise for this field, a lack of market competition could hold back industry growth. "While the number of competitors in the total market is high, the number of competitors for each specific application needed is relatively low," says Research Analyst Nicole Wagner. "Without sufficient competition in each specific application segment, few manufacturers are motivated to improve products or services."
    Meanwhile, the implementation of CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) manufacturing processes should help boost revenues over the long term. "CMOS technology is changing the way sensors are manufactured market-wide," says Wagner. "Currently, piezoresistive sensors are made in bulk using micro-electro-mechanical structure (MEMs) techniques, which rely on electrical and physical properties to operate. The advent of CMOS manufacturing allows more circuitry to be included on a single chip without the need for additional supporting circuitry."
    "CMOS provides manufacturers with a lower overhead cost, which could result in a lower cost for the end user," says Wagner. CMOS manufacturing is in the developmental stage, bit as the process is utilized in more fabrication plants; its impact on revenues will be strongly felt.
    Frost & Sullivan presents 2001 Market Engineering Awards to companies that have worked hard to make a positive contribution to the sensors industry. Analog Devices receives the Market Engineering Leadership Award. The Distribution Strategy Award is presented to Bruel & Kjaer. VTI Hamlin receives the Web Site Leadership Award. The Market Engineering Leadership Award goes to Endevco.