For more information, visit https://www.idtechex.com/en/research-report/next-generation-mems/1105.
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MEMS is a US$15 billion industry with mature markets. What comes next?
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MEMS Speakers to be worth more than US$2.7 billion by 2036.
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are devices that combine electrical and mechanical components on a microscopic scale. This umbrella term includes a vast array of devices that serve an equally wide array of applications. Airbag sensors that detect when a vehicle crashes, inkjet printheads, RF sensors, microphones, and pressure sensors are just a small sample of mature MEMS. While a broad category, MEMS are unified by their manufacturing process, which typically employs the same bulk-fabrication processes onto silicon wafers as seen in the semiconductor industry. This US$15 billion industry has grown and reached maturity in many sectors, but what are the technologies on the horizon that could be the next big leap forward for MEMS?
This report by IDTechEx focuses on the cutting-edge next-generation MEMS technologies that are preparing to disrupt the industry, highlighting 3 key areas:
- Advanced MEMS IMUs
- MEMS Gravimeters
- MEMS Speakers
In each section, the underlying technology is covered as well as key players, incumbent options, rival disruptive technologies, market dynamics, and granular market forecasts provide comprehensive coverage of these emerging sectors.
Advanced MEMS IMUs
Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) are sensors that are integral to modern-day navigational systems. From the high-end precision demands of satellites and planes all the way to basic gesture control units in modern smartphones, IMUs allow precise location tracking and position by integrating acceleration and angular rate data. Currently, MEMS gyroscopes (the angular rate sensing component) limit all-MEMS IMU performance and force manufacturers to rely on alternative, more complex technologies (such as fiber optic gyroscopes). This report breaks down emerging MEMS gyro designs that could unlock an all-MEMS navigational-grade IMU, and what this would mean for the industry and navigation as a whole.
An overview of the technology landscape of high-end inertial gyroscopes.
MEMS Gravimeters
Although gravity is typically quoted as 9.8 m/s2, the true value varies significantly. Buried underground assets, cavities, and resources all alter the local value of gravity, and the ability to monitor tiny deviations in gravity could unlock a new dimension to sensing. Gravity is acceleration, so an extremely precise accelerometer can provide a highly accurate local gravitational field value. The challenge has been reducing the intrinsic ‘noise-floor’ of such sensors, and IDTechEx focuses on the key enabling technologies to reduce this noise-floor. The use of Geometric Anti-springs (GAS) is an emerging approach gaining some commercial traction that artificially softens the springs and was first pioneered in gravitational wave detection. IDTechEx also benchmarks various prototypes and examines the player landscape and commercial applicability of MEMS gravimeters.
MEMS Speakers
Consumer electronics have been a hotbed for MEMS innovation for decades. The desire for smaller, more efficient, cheaper components has led to the adoption of MEMS microphones, accelerometers, and gyros within smartphones. The speaker driver could be next. Conventional speaker drivers require manual assembly of permanent magnet coils and diaphragms, which is not only labor-intensive but also limits the size to which speaker drivers can be miniaturized.
Will MEMS speakers follow the path of MEMS microphones and come to dominate the consumer electronics market? A key barrier to overcome has been the performance of MEMS speaker chips at low frequencies, as the fundamental physics of sound makes producing a large volume from a small diameter challenging. This report breaks down several approaches, including ultrasonic amplitude modulation, and then benchmarks a dozen different MEMS speaker models, comparing SPL (Sound Pressure Level, volume) across the audible frequency band, revealing large differences in model performance.
An overview of transduction methods of a MEMS speaker.
A mix of big players and small startups
The existing MEMS landscape is largely dominated by major companies such as Bosch Sensortech who produce billions of units a year. MEMS benefit enormously from economies of scale, but this does not mean smaller companies cannot enter the space. Many startups adopt a fabless model, where core system design is conducted in-house but fabrication is externalized to a 3rd party (such as TSMC). The MEMS speaker landscape, in particular, is dominated by small fabless startups.
The high-end inertial sensor market is different from consumer MEMS in that it is dominated by aerospace majors. Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, and Safran comprise the ‘big-3’ in inertial sensing, focused on producing sensors for aircraft, satellites, and defense applications.
The importance of CSWaP
CSWaP (Cost, Size, Weight, and Power) is one of the key performance matrices that must be optimized. To shift to a MEMS system, performance over the incumbent technology must be demonstrated in a manner that does not adversely affect the CSWaP.
Market outlook
IDTechEx provides granular 10-year forecasts for high-end inertial sensors (RLG, HRG, FOG, MEMS/Advanced MEMS), MEMS gravimeters, and MEMS speakers, both for unit shipments and market value. Breaking down the next-generation MEMS market reveals substantial opportunities for growth in inertial sensing and consumer electronics.
