Display-electronics market poised for growth

MAY 13--The display-electronics marketplace represents a growth segment for semiconductor suppliers, according to the latest forecasts for display controller and driver components from iSuppli/Stanford Resources Market Intelligence Services (www.isuppli.com). With major expansion continuing in the LCD, digital television, and projection market segments, and several new display technologies aimed at consumer applications ramping up, these forecasts identify significant revenue-growth opportunities for semiconductors over the next five years.

"LCD monitor controller revenues, for example, will grow from $216 million in 2001 to more than $600 million in 2006, as the flat-panel boom on the desktop continues," said David Mentley, senior vice president at iSuppli/Stanford Resources and lead analyst on the quarterly Display Electronics report, part of iSuppli/Stanford Resources' display cost modeling and manufacturing practice. "Other growth areas include projector control electronics, where the shipment value will increase from $56 million to more than $104 million, and advanced digital TV image processors and progressive scan converters, for which revenues will increase from $20 million to more than $180 million during the same period.

Emerging display technologies such as OLED and plasma displays will represent a $1.5 billion opportunity for driver electronics in 2006, up from $120 million in 2001. These are attractive opportunities for both mixed signal and digital component suppliers," Mentley noted.