AKM keeps first in magnetic sensor market

Japan's Asahi Kasei Microsystems (AKM) ranked first in the semiconductor magnetic sensor market for the third consecutive year in 2011 with its strong sales in the tablet and mobile phone markets. Its operating revenue is estimated to reach US$372 million and its total operating income is US$1.5 billion. This market has a share of nearly a quarter.

The total revenue of the top 10 magnetic sensor IC suppliers was US$1.3 billion, accounting for 90% of the total industrial operating revenue.

AKM maintains the #1 position in the magnetic sensor market. AKM is the undisputed leading supplier of magnetic sensor Hall elements and integrated circuits. These sensors are used to track angular and linear angles in machines and products, or to detect and process magnetic fields to establish positional relationships. Last year most of the company’s revenue growth came from the Hall 3D magnetic compass for mobile phones and tablets.

However, the competition in the compass field may be intensifying, with the threat coming mainly from the 6-axis compass. In the past, such a large compass volume did not pose a serious challenge to 3-axis discrete devices. However, Bosch in Germany and Freescale Semiconductor in the United States recently introduced a very compact product, measuring only 3x3mm. IHS iSuppli believes that both Bosch and Freescale have mastered the accelerometer and compass technologies that make up the 6-axis device. With OEMs adopting 6-axis devices, this may bring greater competitive pressure to AKM.

The United States Allegro MicroSystems ranked second last year, the United States Allegro MicroSystems magnetic sensor operating income of 302 million US dollars, compared with 264 million US dollars in 2010 increased by 14%. The company wisely withdrew from the low-cost consumer sensor market dominated by manufacturers such as AKM last year and entered higher-value product areas such as automotive sensors. Allegro has a strong position in the field of high-priced Hall speed sensors for automotive camshafts and switches, and is also a leading supplier of Hall current sensors for applications such as battery monitoring systems.

Infineon’s third-largest Infineon operating income rose from US$142 million to US$188 million, a significant increase of 33%. This makes it replace the third-ranked Swiss Mic? Ronas, the latter dropped to fourth. Infineon’s growth comes mainly from wheel speed sensing and data moment sensors for automotive applications. Next year, Infineon will introduce a new current sensing product and a more integrated package, in addition to anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) technology for measuring angles, which will also contain magnets for sensing speed .

Micronas ranked No. 4 Micronas magnetic sensor operating income is still struggling to increase by 5% from US$143 million to US$150 million. Micronas performed poorly in 2011. After the earthquake and tsunami in March in Japan, it lost its contract with Denso and negatively affected it. Denso is an important customer of Micronas Hall sensors.

Belgium's Melexis NV ranked fifth Belgium Melexis NV's 2011 revenue increased 5% from 2010, from US$107 million to US$112 million. The company continues to lead the accelerator pedal position sensing market, and it is far ahead, and it also plays an important role in measuring current sensors. About 80% of the company's energy is still in the car, although it also supplies switches for mobile phone displays.

Several other top 10 manufacturers include: NXP Semiconductors of the Netherlands, ranked sixth, operating income of 96 million US dollars; Japan's Aichi Steel Co., Ltd., ranked seventh, operating income of 40 million US dollars; Austria AMS AG (predecessor Is austriamicrosystems) with Memsic Inc. Tied 8th, operating income is 29 million US dollars; United States Diodes Inc. Ranked 10th, operating income is 24 million US dollars.

Among the top 10 suppliers, Memsic's revenue growth was the largest, a sharp increase of 1340%, which was mainly due to the surge in shipments of electronic compasses sold to Samsung from a very low level in the previous year. Aichi Steel Co., Ltd. recorded the second-largest revenue increase, soaring 122%. Sharp Mobile is a key part of its business.