| Frost & Sullivan has recently made public their | | | | government pollution mandates, safety and |
| new report on the current status of ASIC, ASSP, | | | | security regulations, and the oil crisis. The use of |
| and FPGA markets. The report not only states | | | | electronic components also reduces manufacturing |
| how the industry is faring but also forecasts what | | | | costs since human errors are very much avoided. |
| will be the trends in the markets and what will be | | | | |
| the challenges that it will have to confront. | | | | In the automotive industry, the introduction of |
| In the study, the experts analyzed also other | | | | luxury features also increased the need for |
| factors that affect the industry directly like their | | | | specialized electronic components. The popularity |
| end-users. They include also in their studies body | | | | of hybrid vehicles like the popular Toyota Prius |
| and chassis, central command, telematics, power | | | | also made the demand increase. Electronic |
| train, engine control, safety and security, and | | | | components are needed on hybrid vehicles to |
| driver relevant information. The main thing that | | | | facilitate the smooth change of power from |
| the study shows is that more and more | | | | engine to electric motor muscle. Other mandatory |
| electronics are being used on automobiles which | | | | safety systems also need electronic components. |
| increased the demand for ASIC, ASSP, and | | | | Electronic stability systems rely on electronics to |
| FPGAs. | | | | keep the car stable especially while cornering. |
| Today's vehicles are becoming more and more | | | | Suspension systems also depends on electronics |
| reliant on electronic components. Different | | | | as shown by electronically controlled independent |
| systems of a vehicle that are being developed | | | | suspension systems employed by the latest mass |
| and produced today are equipped with electronic | | | | produced vehicles. |
| systems which aid the mechanical parts in | | | | Due to the increase in the demand of such, the |
| performing effectively. Fuel injection systems for | | | | industry is expected to generate considerable |
| cars rely on electronic components to provide the | | | | revenues especially in the European region's |
| engine with the right amount of fuel. Likewise, | | | | market where the industry is doing a very good |
| safety systems also rely heavily on electronic | | | | business. While Europe may be the leading region |
| circuits to provide optimum safety to the | | | | in terms of production of ASICs, ASSPs, and |
| occupants of a car in the event of a crash. | | | | FPGAs, Asian countries are joining the bandwagon. |
| Braking systems also depend on electronic | | | | The region has become the fastest growing |
| components like the anti-lock braking system | | | | segments due to the increasing automobile sales |
| (ABS). Without the aid of electronic components, | | | | in the said area. |
| even high quality parts like brake components | | | | While the industry may be enjoying much |
| from EBC Active Brakes Direct will not perform | | | | success, they still have to come up with more |
| to the best of their capabilities. | | | | world class electronic design automation software |
| The automobile specific integrated circuit (ASIC), | | | | tools to provide better service to their end users. |
| application specific standard products (ASSPs), and | | | | Fierce competition is also expected since there |
| the field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) | | | | are companies that are already established which |
| markets have been achieving much success, | | | | will make it hard for smaller enterprises to break |
| thanks to the needs for the said products in the | | | | into the market and stake their claims in a share |
| automotive industry. The increase in the number | | | | in the growing market. The analysts said that |
| of consumers means that the demand for the | | | | there is a possibility that the large and established |
| said electronic parts will also rise. Other factors | | | | companies will acquire smaller companies to |
| that made the need for electronic parts are | | | | increase their productivity. |