CMOS Power Amplifier Market Analysis

Market Insight- Global CMOS Power Amplifier Market

Market Overview

A power amplifier is an electronic device designed to increase magnitude of power of the input signal. The power of the input signal is increased to level that can drive loads of output devices such as radiofrequency transmitters, speakers, headphones, and more. Power amplifiers are manufactured utilizing different semiconductor technologies such as gallium nitride, (GaN), complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) or gallium arsenide (GaAs). CMOS technology facilitates incorporation of transceiver and power amplifier in a single chip. It provides low power consumption, low-cost, and high yield among other power amplifiers. Furthermore, CMOS amplifiers find applications for GSM/EDGE, LTE, CDMA 2000 and other wireless communication standards. They are also used in feature phones, tablets, and smartphones.

The global CMOS Power Amplifier Market was valued for US$ 1,674.3 Mn in 2019 is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 15.6% during the forecast period.

Market Dynamics- Drivers

1. Technological advancements in wireless communication network are expected to drive growth of the global CMOS power amplifier market during the forecast period

The wireless communication sector has witnessed significant growth in the recent past with advent of more complex modulation techniques and wider signal bandwidth for higher data rates. Moreover, the number of subscribers has increased significantly. Key players operating in the global wireless communication industry are focused on designing wireless terminals utilizing a single inexpensive semiconductor chip. Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology has been gaining immense popularity among manufacturers of power amplifiers (PAs) due to its cost-effectiveness and versatility. Therefore, these advancements are expected to support the global CMOS power amplifier market growth over the forecast period.

2. Major challenges introduced by new wireless standards are expected to propel the global CMOS power amplifier market growth over the forecast period

Introduction of modern wireless communication standards has let to advent of strict requirements for higher data rates and therefore thus function on high-order modulation schemes and wide bandwidth. Moreover, modern RF technology is expected to be flexible in terms optimization of both battery life and improved communication capabilities. These challenges can be addressed with rapid development and adoption of CMOS technology. Hence, these factors are expected to boost the global CMOS power amplifier market growth in the near future.

Asia-Pacific region dominated the global CMOS Power Amplifier market 59.5% in 2019, followed by North America and Europe, respectively

Source: Coherent Market Insights

Market Dynamics- Restraints

1. Technical downsides of CMOS power amplifier design are expected to restrain growth of the global CMOS power amplifier market over the forecast period

Although CMOS power amplifier offers cost-effective and highly integrated wireless communication, there are several drawbacks that are hampering its adoption. One of the most critical challenges related to CMOS power amplifiers is non-linearity, low breakdown voltage, lack of high-voltage capacitors, and RF model inaccuracies. Furthermore, inherently inadequate linearity of CMOS power amplifiers can result in distortion, which is not an ideal choice for modern high-PAR (peak-to-average ration) modulation techniques. In fact, CMOS amplifiers result in high development costs and necessitate longer time to manufacture as compared to other technologies. Hence, these factors are expected to restrain the market growth over the forecast period.

2. Issues regarding current leakage are expected to hinder the global CMOS power amplifiers market growth during the forecast period

CMOS offer major advantage in communication industry though current leakage remains the major issue. Current leakage can lead to severe problems in entire circuit such as excessive power consumption, breakdown, and or short circuit. Such major drawbacks are hampering its adoption and thereby hindering the market growth in the near future.

Market Opportunities

1. Advent of 5G wireless technology is expected to provide major growth opportunities for market players

Advent of 5G wireless technology is expected to reduce latency, enhance user experience, and result in expanded attainable data rates. Moreover, it is expected to modernize RF front-end requirements of devices. Adoption of CMOS technology in 5G RF front-end modules is expected to increase, owing to low costs and high yields. Furthermore, numerous key players and researchers are focused on innovating advanced CMOS power amplifiers to fulfill high bandwidth requirements of 5G technology, which in turn, is expected to provide significant growth opportunities in the near future.

2. Emergence of IoT resulting in technological advancements in connected devices is expected to present lucrative business opportunities

Introduction of internet of things (IoT) has resulted in various technological advancements and miniaturization of many devices and increase in connectivity. Devices used to today facilitate users to transmit and download videos and data faster than previous models of mobile devices. However, these devices need power amplifiers that can provide better coverage and consume less battery power. This, in turn, is increasing adoption of CMOS technology. Hence, these factors are expected to preset lucrative growth opportunities over the forecast period.

Source: Coherent Market Insights

Market Trends

1. High adoption of LTE technology is expected to boost the demand for CMOS power amplifiers

Rampant development and implementation of 4G wireless communication have increased the demand for wider bandwidth and faster data speeds. CMOS power amplifier stands as a leading solution since it addresses the demand for low power, high capacity of 4G technology, and low cost. Furthermore, many key players in the market are focused on launching new CMOS power amplifiers that are suitable for LTE and LTE advanced technologies. For instance, in October 2015, ACCO Semiconductor Inc., a  U.S.-based provider fabless semiconductor, launched CMOS Multi-mode, Multi-band Power Amplifier (MMPA), which is designed to support quad-band GSM/EDGE and 12-band 3G/LTE smartphones as well as Internet of Things applications.

2. Benefits offered by CMOS technology is expected to increase adoption in smartphones

In recent years, several smartphone manufacturers have adopted CMOS power amplifier technology in order to leverage the benefits this technology offers such as low power consumption and need for limited space in devices. On the other hand, many power amplifier providers are currently utilizing CMOS technology over conventional technologies such as GaAs and others. These manufacturers are also focusing on upgrading their existing CMOS power amplifiers in order to cater to various other requirements of emerging 3G and 4G LTE multi-band smartphones. For instance, in 2014, Qualcomm Technologies Inc. collaborated with ZTE Corporation, a China-based multinational telecommunications equipment and systems provider, introduced a multiband chip featuring an integrated CMOS power amplifier (PA) and antenna switch for ZTE’S ‘Grand S II LTE’ smartphone.  

Segment information:

In global CMOS power amplifier market, by application segment, smartphone sub-segment dominated the global market in 2019, accounting for 50.5% share in terms of value.

Source: Coherent Market Insights

Value Chain Analysis

Competitive Section

Key players operating in the global CMOS power amplifier market are ACCO Semiconductor, Inc., Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., Texas Instruments Inc., Skyworks Solutions, Inc., Qorvo, Inc., Toshiba Corporation, Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Broadcom Ltd., and DSP GROUP.

Key Developments

1. Key companies in the market are focused on product launches, in order to enhance their product portfolio. For instance, in February 2017, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. launched a suite of comprehensive RF front-end (RFFE) solutions.
2. Major market players are involved in product launches, in order to gain competitive edge in the market. For instance, in January 2016, DSP Group, Inc. launched Spark PA-RF power amplifier for high performance 802.11ac access point market, using standard CMOS Process from (TSMC).