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Magnetic sensors to maintain strong growth in the next few years

Magnetic sensors gain more use in industrial and medical applications
According to IHS iSuppli's magnetic sensor market tracking report, the market for semiconductor magnetic sensors in industrial and medical applications has grown moderately by 6% last year, and the green energy trend is the main factor driving its growth.
In 2011, revenue from industrial and medical magnetic sensors was US$118.2 million, compared to US$111.9 million in 2010. Although operating revenue in this area is less than other magnetic sensor fields such as automotive and wireless-consumption, it will promote the continued expansion of the sensor market in the next few years. By 2016, revenue from this magnetic sensor field will increase to $175.5 million, as shown in Figure 4, with a five-year compound annual growth rate of 8%.

Magnetic sensors to maintain strong growth in the next few years

The magnetic sensor market consists of a Hall effect and a magnetoresistive semiconductor IC used to track angular and linear angles in machines and products, or to detect and process magnetic fields to establish positional relationships. In industrial and medical applications, magnetic sensors are used in motors to improve their energy efficiency. Sensors are also used in a range of medical devices that involve some form of motor control, comparing pumps.
Of the operating revenue last year, 70% came from industrial applications and medical applications accounted for the remaining 30%.
Magnetic sensor for a wide range of industrial uses
In industrial applications, renewable energy systems such as solar installations and wind turbines have been the main growth point for magnetic sensors. On the other hand, all kinds of motors consume an estimated 45% of the electricity. If they can improve the efficiency of motors, they may save a lot of energy. Government legislation is aimed at reducing energy consumption and is also good for sensors.
Examples of motors using magnetic sensors include low-voltage AC and DC motors, three-phase induction motors, stepper motors and servomotors, single-phase motors, and compact motor drivers.
In other industrial applications, magnetic sensors can be used in uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), welding systems, robotics, train transportation infrastructure, off-road vehicles, and forklifts such as computer servers.
In industrial applications, the most popular types of magnetic sensors are current sensors, including shunt resistors, Hall-effect integrated circuits, current-sensing transformers, open-loop and closed-loop Hall devices, and fluxgate sensors. In many applications that measure currents below 50 amps, such as residential solar inverter applications or small UPS systems, use a simple resistive bar or shunt.
But as the measured current intensity increases, shunt becomes bulky and expensive. In high-current applications such as large variable-frequency motors, open-loop and closed-loop Hall sensors use Hall-effect ICs in a small package; they also increase integration and include an application-specific integrated circuit in the package. Hall ICs are also used in inverter control applications in industrial washing machines.
In addition to current sensors, separate Hall-effect ICs or magnetoresistive sensor switches also have a smaller magnetic sensor market, which is used for motor rectification to reduce ripple and improve performance, or for position measurement.
Magnetic sensors play a key role in medical applications
The application of magnetic sensors in the medical field, although smaller in size than the industrial sector, can save lives or improve the quality of life. Mainly used in medical devices that use reversing sensors for motor control applications such as ventilator applications; infusions, insulin, and syringe pumps; or kidney dialysis machines.
Another example of the application of sensors in the medical field is a simple centrifuge for preparing samples. Sensors are used to help control small motors, making them quieter and more reliable.
The switch is also a prominent application and is used in safe operation of medicine cabinets, or bed adjustments and hearing aids. In the field of hearing aids, giant magnetoresistive sensor ICs (GMRs) compete with Hall and reed switches.
Major manufacturers
The main semiconductor suppliers for Hall-effect ICs include Asahi Kasei Microsystems of Japan, Allegro MicroSystems (belonging to Sanken), Melexis NV of Belgium, Micronas and LEM of Switzerland. These vendors typically provide plastic packaged stand-alone ICs for commutation and position switches, as well as current sensing.
Hall-effect elements with amplifiers or Hall ICs are also part of open- or closed-loop current sensors. Manufacturers of these sensors include LEM, ABB Sweden, Telco UK, and Tamura and Kohshin Japan. In this supplier camp, Germany Vacuumschmeize is a non-Hall current sensing main supplier, which uses magnetic induction.

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