World Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Connector MarketsFrost & SullivanFebruary 24, 2005 SKU: MC1100199 |
Growth of High Speed Applications Necessitate Development of Improved PCB Connectors As telecom and computing data applications become advanced the role of printed circuit board (PCB) connectors is becoming critical. With data transmission speeds expected to reach 10Gbps in the future, fast paced developments in the telecom and networking segments combined with a shift from parallel transmission to serial bit transmission have necessitated the need for connectors that support high speed data transmission. Since design and materials used in high-speed backplane connectors impact bandwidth limitation in communication applications, connector vendors need to constantly redesign their products to meet the requirements of the communication and computing industries. This Frost & Sullivan research service analyzes the global PCB connector market. It examines the market for different kinds of connectors and lists key drivers and restraints. It further mentions key participants and forecasts market and technology trends. Incorporating Lead-free Manufacturing May Prove to be a Key Challenge In line with global environmental legislations, the restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) law passed by the European Union has resulted in the move to a lead-free electronics manufacturing paradigm. Research needs to be undertaken on having plastic housing that withstands higher melting temperatures, which non-lead finishes are likely to have. This is proving to be a critical challenge for vendors, as they need to internalize the changes as well as educate external distributors and end users. Thus, the need for designing fresh processes and new molds coupled with mounting price competition from Asian manufacturers is resulting in severe price pressures. On the other hand, the increase in multi-sourcing agreements (MSAs) is expected to help manufacturers secure supply sources and ensure better inventory management. "As MSAs provide common product specifications and interoperability, manufacturers prefer vendors that are a part of MSA," notes the analyst of this research. "Rapid changes in communication speed rates have resulted in frequent changes in product design and MSAs are expected to be a sourcing assurance tool for all major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and expanded memory specification (EMS) providers." High Growth of Niche Verticals Such as Medical and Automotive to Drive Future Growth The automotive and medical industries are witnessing a massive increase in the use of electronic equipment. New medical diagnostic products such as glucose meters, hand-held diabetes monitors, and other patient care devices involve the use of electronic circuits that incorporate board-board and board-wire type of connectors. In addition, the growing popularity of navigational systems, entertainment systems, and security gadgets in automotive cockpits has meant that manufacturers now include such devices as part of factory fittings, thereby increasing the application of PCB connectors. With a strong gross domestic produce (GDP) growth, capital investments on telecom and computing networks in developing Asian and east European economies have shown a sharp rise. "While a healthy global economy is expected to be a strong driver for overall growth in the PCB connectors market, the backplane connectors market remains the fastest growing segment," says the analyst. "Boosted by growth in the voice and data communication industry, this segment is expected to post sustained double-digit growth over the coming years." |
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