Although 2012 turned out to be an off year for RF power amplifiers and devices for wireless infrastructure the market still held its own. The current year should be viewed as a breathing space before both segments resume stable and moderate growth after an explosive 2011.
The Asia-Pacific Region, including Japan, continues to account for over 75 percent of the RF power semiconductor devices that are sold into the mobile wireless infrastructure segment. According to research director Lance Wilson, “For the foreseeable future the Asia-Pacific region, particularly China, will remain the most important region and focus for RF power amplifiers and high-power RF devices for wireless infrastructure.”
Despite the off year RF power amplifier sales for wireless infrastructure will top $2.4 billion and RF power device sales will be over $600 million.
LTE will become an increasingly important factor in both of these businesses even though the rollout has not been as rapid as the industry would like. Nevertheless, it is already worldwide in scope. “Although LTE has not significantly impacted RF power amplifier and device sales as of yet,” says Wilson, “it is going to bolster RF power sales in the wireless infrastructure space from 2012 on.”
The continuing overall need for wireless data remains an important driver for the overall market for both RF power amplifiers and RF power devices.
ABI Research’s research report, “RF Power Amplifiers” examines evolving design parameters and materials, price versus performance, and the interdependent relationship of RF power semiconductors to RF power amplifiers. Quantitative forecasts are presented through 2017 for both segments. These findings are part of ABI Research’s Macro Basestations and High-Power RF Active Devices Research Services.