Electronic System Design Considerations to Meet Emerging Market Needs
Aveek Sarkar, Vice President, Product Engineering and Support,
Apache Design Solutions Inc.
The use of smartphones has expanded from the corporate market
to the mass consumer market as these devices perform an
increasing number of applications and functions. The overall
smartphone market is expected to grow by 49.2 percent in 2011,
with 450 million smartphones expected to be sold in 20111. As
the penetration of mobile handsets continues to saturate developed
countries, handset manufacturers are focusing on emerging markets,
especially Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC), which represent a
significant market, both in terms of current and new users. However,
though the BRIC markets have been serviced by traditional
cellphones that provide voice and texting needs, consumers in these
economies are increasingly demanding smartphones that deliver
several additional functions and provide a platform to enjoy the
myriad applications available2.
Statistics indicate that the forecasted increase in mobile handset
sales in the emerging economies will be derived from the sale of
smartphones. In 2011, the smartphone market is expected to grow
more than four times faster than the overall mobile phone market1.
Driven by the growing popularity of digital electronic products
such as flat-panel TV sets and smartphones, and with a total market
opportunity expected to reach $38.4 billion by 2015, Brazil is
undoubtedly an attractive market3. According to Nielsen, the sale
of smartphones in Brazil was up 128 percent in 2010 compared to
20094. Also, Nielson predicts that China's smartphone market will
experience the largest growth worldwide, reaching sales of close
to 100 million units in 20155. In Russia, the handset market is
expected to grow to $5.4 billion, aided by the growing demand for
smartphones and 3G handsets6.
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Semiconductor Light — Let it Shine!
Dr. Paul Russo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Geo Semiconductor
"Let there be semiconductor light," and the world
will be happier and green!
Overview
Semiconductor-generated light is here—and there is no turning
back. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are being shipped by the billions,
with unit prices collapsing (nothing new here for the semiconductor
industry) and the cost per light output following a new kind of
Moore's Law, whereby LED devices output more light each year at a
lower cost per unit of light. LEDs are proliferating—and applications
range from mobile devices (e.g., smartphone/tablet display
backlights, pico-projectors and even flashlights) to general lighting,
including street lights and computer and TV display backlights.
LEDs are generating substantial energy and lifecycle savings while
also extending product lives. Not yet at the same maturity level as
LEDs, semiconductor laser devices are progressing, but, except for
low-power devices, lasers are not yet ready for prime time. However,
can anyone doubt that it is just a matter of time?
Lasers and LEDs are somewhat complementary, with each shining
in specific applications. And there is the eventual mass production of
organic LEDs (OLEDs), an ongoing promise that may finally arrive
in larger, brighter and more numerous forms later this decade.
This article will discuss current and evolving applications,
emerging technologies and predictions for the decade through 2020.
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