Integrated passive device (IPDs) refers to a package of several components clubbed into a small space using passive technology. In recent years, IPDs have replaced discrete components in LED lighting systems, RF modules, electrostatic discharge (ESD)/electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection diodes, and mixed and digital signal ICs. Passive components used in these products are used for matching, filtering, resonating, decoupling, and transforming, which are viewed as an essential part of the system in package (SiP) solution.
Thus, the increasing availability of advanced electronics will help the integrated passive device market progress in the coming years. For instance, AVX Corporation introduced ESD suppression diodes, which can merge voltage suppression technology with low-profile, leadless, and miniature packaging design. The merger of this technology with novel designs would offer ESD protection in high-speed communication circuits. Additionally, the company also unveiled low-pass integrated thin-film filters that can offer high-frequency operations in GPS, mobile communication systems, and satellite TV receivers.
Additionally, the surging use of smart wearable devices, owing to the mounting public focus on health and fitness and rising cases of CVDs, will also propel the use of IPDs worldwide. As smart wearables can track calorie intake, calories burnt, heartbeat, and blood pressure, people are using these electronics to stay healthy and avoid chronic diseases. According to the WHO, 17.9 million people lost their lives due to CVDs in 2019, accounting for nearly 32% of global deaths.
Consumer electronics companies use ESD, EMI, RF-IPDs, and LEDs in their products to replace discrete components. In the years gone by, RF-IPDs were preferred over other IPDs due to the burgeoning need for miniaturized devices. RF front-end model constitutes an essential part of smartphones, wearables, and tablets. The growing use of all these passive devices can also be credited to the booming demand for IoT-enabled devices in the retail, manufacturing, healthcare, automotive, medical device, and electrical and electronics sectors.
At present, the integrated passive device market is led by Infineon Technologies AG, Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Semiconductor Components Industries LLC, Advanced Furnace Systems Corp., STMicroelectronics, ChipPAC Pte. Ltd., Johanson Technology, and OnChip Devices Inc. These companies offer silicon and non-silicon IPDs which are used in several applications. IPDs-based on these materials are developed on baluns, harmonic filters, diplexers, and couplers. In the coming years, harmonic filters will be adopted in enormous volumes due to the high-utility cost and low-power factor exhibited by these functional blocks.
According to P&S Intelligence, the EMEA region will emerge as the dominant user of IPDs in the foreseeable future due to the presence of an established chip fabrication industry and eminent IPD manufacturers in European countries. Furthermore, the APAC region will also adopt a considerable quantity of IPDs in the future, owing to the soaring focus of developing countries, such as Taiwan, China, South Korea, and India, on infrastructure development and technological developments.
Therefore, the burgeoning need for advanced electronic gadgets and growing usage of smart wearables will encourage the adoption of IPDs worldwide.
