The worldwide market for satellite radio frequency (RF) components will reach $4 billion as early as 2001, according to a new 345-page market study from Silicon Valley research firm Strategies Unlimited.
The report, Communications Components for Satellites —
1998-2007 Market Review and Forecast, projects that demand for
satellite RF payload components, including subassemblies and modules,
will accelerate from $1.4 in 1997 billion to $4 billion in 2001, a
compound annual growth rate of 29%.
RF semiconductor shipments for satellites will grow at an even
stronger rate of 42% annually through 2001, reaching $450 million.
Much of this growth will be driven by Ka-band and Ku-band active array
systems using gallium arsenide (GaAs) monolithic microwave integrated
circuits (MMICs). Demand for silicon RF components will increase as
second-generation intelligent mobile satellite systems with increased
signal processing requirements are launched between 2000 and 2005.
Major satellite operators have made significant strides recently
in their efforts to build extensive new space infrastructure that will
provide a variety of new mobile and fixed satellite services.
Commercial services launched a record 80 satellites in 1997. The
Iridium global mobile personal communications system (GMPCS)
66-satellite phone constellation is now fully deployed, and Iridium
service is on schedule to begin in September 1998.
Globalstar, also a GMPCS constellation, has launched 8
satellites as of August 1998, and plans to have its full 48-satellite
constellation in orbit and operational by the end of 1999. The
progress of these efforts and others bodes well for the 288-satellite
Teledesic project. The recent decision of Iridium creator Motorola to
invest in Teledesic and act as prime contractor gives the project
greater credibility.
Further developments in satellite technology will create a range
of new opportunities for RF/microwave component and semiconductor
suppliers. New active antenna designs include larger percentages of
solid-state active components, printed circuit boards and other
high-volume components. Companies with proven production capabilities
in these areas should benefit as demand grows and as satellite
manufacturers increasingly seek outside sources of supply.
The market study provides an in-depth analysis of satellite
service and manufacturing trends in five market segments and 17
applications. Demand for RF, microwave and millimeter-wave components,
and semiconductors is forecast based on the applications analysis,
a detailed satellite launch forecast and a review of numerous
different satellite communications payload architectures. The study
profiles 11 major satellite suppliers and includes system details on
22 major proposed constellations.
Communications Components for Satellites — 1998-2007 Market
Review and Forecast includes over 173 illustrations and 195 tables and
is available for $4,750.
