Mobile Internet is the trend for domestic ICs

With the advent of the mobile Internet era, domestic ICs have also taken a ride. Although starting from Q2 this year, the domestic IC industry has ushered in the first round of reshuffle. Many small manufacturers have closed down, and the shipments of large-scale master ICs have fallen by more than half. However, this does not mean that domestic ICs have no chance. “The related masters have great competition pressure, but there are great opportunities for peripheral devices, especially power ICs.” At the China Resources Shanghua Special Symposium held on June 28 at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, senior analyst at the Shenzhen Semiconductor Industry Association Kong Wen Say.

In the era of mobile Internet, related mainstream peripheral ICs include touch control chip, 3G chip, Bluetooth chip, FM chip, GPS, analog TV chip, digital TV chip, power amplifier (PA), interface, DRAM, camera, MEMS, MCU, Power chip and so on. Kong Wen said that domestic IC manufacturers can focus on wireless interconnection, human-computer interaction, power management and other fields.

In wireless technology, GPS, 3G, WIFI, and Bluetooth are all hot spots. According to data from research organizations, in terms of GPS, GPS mobile phone shipments will reach 560 million units in 2012, and GPS chipset shipments will reach 900 million units in 2013. In 3G, global 3G users will be in mid-March 2010. It has exceeded 1 billion people and is expected to grow to about 2.8 billion people in 2014. By then, it will account for 42% of the total number of global mobile phone users. In terms of wifi, wifi chipset shipments in 2011 will reach 738.9 million units, compared with 2010. The 361.6 million yuan surged 101.5%. It is expected that its shipment volume will exceed 1 billion units in 2012 and more than 2 billion units in 2014. In terms of Bluetooth, Bluetooth chip shipments in 2014 are expected to reach 2 billion. Kong Wen suggested that we should seize the opportunity for the development of wireless technology, improve internal strength, and not open up new applications, such as the use of infrared and Bluetooth wireless microphones, projection interaction, and then such as Bluetooth and wifi use, home entertainment and other devices.

In terms of human-computer interaction, thanks to the promotion of mobile phones and tablet computers, the shipment of touch ICs has greatly increased. Kong Wen said that touch, projected capacitive multi-touch is the mainstream, and the combination of force feedback will ignite emerging applications. In addition, it can also be combined with UI design, focusing on innovative touch applications, such as Google Nexus One and Meizu M8 using 0D buttons, 1D scrolling and 2D full transparent touch, it is best to find relevant selling points for related applications. In addition to touch ICs, Kong Wen believes that MEMS technology is also worthy of attention, such as acceleration sensors, gyroscopes, electronic compasses, cameras, GPS receivers and so on. "MEMS mainly rely on innovative applications to promote market demand, such as gaming experience. Therefore, manufacturers should focus on emerging MEMS applications such as MEMS crystals, portable projectors, and assisted GPS navigation." Kong Wen analysis said that complex human-computer interaction will Make the MCU evolve from 8-bit to 32-bit because 32-bit MCUs have the advantages of performance, power consumption, ease of development, and ease of upgrade. It is reported that ARM Cortex-M series gradually become MCU standards, the compound annual growth rate of 160%, the international MCU makers have adopted the MCU standard, and ARM32-bit MCU and 8-bit MCU prices are flat, 32-bit MCU will become the future mainstream.

As for power ICs, data show that in 2011 global power management IC sales will reach US$36.2 billion, an increase of 13.9% over 2010. The driving force for this growth is the continuous increase in battery life requirements from mobile devices. On the other hand, the growth from alternative energy sources. According to Kong Wen, local power supply manufacturers have four main characteristics: First, the product is based on linear regulators, switching regulators, including LDO, DC-DC, Charge Pump; Second, the local power supply manufacturers to do more alternative IC, product homogeneity is serious, lack of technological innovation capabilities and scale development capabilities; Third, international companies continue to introduce multi-functional, low-power, high-integration products, to further reduce the local manufacturers living space; Fourth, the local power supply manufacturers are mostly Fabless Manufacturers, more than 50 million yuan in revenue, poor ability to resist risks. Given these four characteristics, local power IC manufacturers must first cooperate with excellent local foundries. Since process processes affect electrical parameters such as circuit power consumption, drive current, and on-resistance, it is necessary to communicate and adjust with the foundry in a timely manner. In addition, the level of local substitute industrial technology is continuously improving, and cooperation with local OEMs is beneficial to Control costs, timely intervention in IC manufacturing and testing. Second, it is necessary to increase investment in innovative design, voltage adjustment, battery charge IC homogeneity, and some are integrated into the baseband, processor, focused on research and development PMU + innovative IC. Finally, we must take advantage of our proximity to the market. Utilize the advantage of being close to the market to push customized products and bind big customers.

"No matter how the product form changes, the demand for peripheral devices has always been there." Kong Wen believes that for local IC manufacturers, the time to market, differentiation and performance is the key to sustainable development. Local IC manufacturers do not weaken their cost advantage, pay attention to the software team's system construction, use soft power to help improve competitiveness and market response speed, strengthen cooperation with OEMs, IDHs and OEMs, develop quality long-term partners, and focus on technology+products+ Integrated brand + channel innovation, focusing on the special requirements of emerging markets, market segments, and customized markets. Understand the influence of software vendors, operators, and online platforms on the mobile Internet market, and improve their internal skills. Instead, they have more opportunities. .