32% of All Wireless Connectivity ICs Will Be Integrated in 2011, According to ABI Research.

LONDON -- A new study by ABI Research has found that by 2011, 32% of all Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, WiMedia, GPS, and FM Radio IC shipments will be integrated products that are either incorporated into a connectivity package combining two or more solutions, or will be integrated with a host processor or baseband processor. The report also found that the two equipment sectors most likely to see the majority of integration activity will be cellular handsets and mobile computing.

Research director Stuart Carlaw says that, "We are on the cusp of a high level of integration activity, as silicon vendors look to add value to their offerings, diversify, and differentiate themselves in what are increasingly competitive markets." He goes on to add, "Precedents for integration activity can be seen in Broadcom's recent announcement of its BCM4325, which incorporates Bluetooth, FM radio and Wi-Fi in a single IC, as well as in CSR's purchase of NordNav and Cambridge Positioning Systems in order to realize the goal of producing a combined GPS/Bluetooth IC."

Integration is a vital tool that silicon vendors will use to maintain margins in markets where OEMs continue to squeeze every last cent out of their suppliers. It also allows vendors to meet ever stricter OEM requirements for power saving and board space. There is a distinct possibility that the trend towards integration will significantly alter the competitive silicon supplier landscape.

The ABI Research study, Connectivity IC Integration in Mobile Devices and Mobile Computing (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/market_research/Connectivity_IC_ Integration_in_Mobile_Devices_and_Mobile_Computing), profiles the market for different IC combinations across the important product segments of mobile computing and mobile devices. (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)

It explains silicon vendors' motivation to integrate ICs, it details which IC combinations are likely to be integrated and why, and it identifies the equipment markets that are likely to see integrated ICs incorporated into system designs. It forms part of the company's Short-Range Wireless Research Service (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Short_Range_Wireless_ Research_Service), which includes other Research Reports, Research Briefs, Market Data, ABI Insights, the ABI Vendor Matrix, and analyst inquiry support. (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York, ABI Research maintains global operations supporting annual research programs, intelligence services and market reports in broadband and multimedia, RFID & contactless, M2M, wireless connectivity, mobile wireless, transportation, and emerging technologies. For information, visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.