Embedded 16-bit MPU Market Headed for Downturn in 2005

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 3, 2004 - Worldwide merchant market dollar consumption of customer-specific, cell-based designs, independent of complexity, containing at least one embedded block of 16-bit MPU is forecast to decrease from $374.9 million last year to $363.5 million by 2008, reports In-Stat/MDR (http://www.instat.com). This translates to a forecast Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), over the 2003-2008 timeframe, of -0.6%. The high-tech market research firm projects that this decline will start in 2005, as 16-bit is surpassed by its 64-bit brother, in terms of revenue.

“One of the major reasons for the 16-bit market’s small size, as well as forecast decline in the future, relates to its main applications, which, for the most part, lie within the consumer market, for products such as digital cameras, set-top boxes and personal audio products,” says Jerry Worchel, a Senior Analyst with In-Stat/MDR. “For all of these end-use markets, the most common approach for the incorporation of an embedded 16-bit microprocessor will be via a lower cost alternative, namely the ASSP. In addition, and similar to many other product segments, such as memory, the migration for both standalone and embedded microprocessors, will be to higher and higher bit-widths.  In the case of the customer-specific, cell-based market, this migration will be faster when compared to the ASSP or standard product markets, for example.”

However, while the 16-bit width embedded microprocessor, represents one of the smallest segments in this market, only being trailed by the 64-bit width category, at least for one more year, it is a segment worth playing in, particularly if one already has the core, be it proprietary, or one licensed from an independent intellectual property providers.  However, with that being said, the best opportunity for use of this width architecture will be within the ASSP realm.  

In-Stat/MDR has also found that:

• From an embedded 16-bit MPU intellectual property perspective, this market will be dominated by ARM, being incorporated in about 40% of all customer-specific, MOS standard cell-based dollar shipments over the forecast period.
  
• Due more to space than performance considerations, designs using the hard-core approach will dominate the soft-core methodology, by a factor of approaching three-to-one, by the end of the forecast period.  
  
• From a customer-specific, cell-based design perspective, the use of embedded 16-bit MPUs is currently dominated by digital-only designs.  However, the mixed-signal segment will continue to gain market share, finally surpassing the logic-only segment in the 2006/2007 timeframe.

The report, Embedded 16-Bit Microprocessors In Customer-Specific, Cell-Based Designs: Applications Analysis (#IN0401394DE), analyzes customer-specific designs that incorporate 16-bit microprocessors.

To purchase this report, or for more information, please contact Rick Vogelei at 480-609-4533; rvogelei@reedbusiness.com. The report price is $3,245 U.S. Dollars.

MORE INFORMATION ON THIS REPORT Report Title: Embedded 16-Bit Microprocessors In Customer-Specific, Cell-Based Designs: Applications Analysis Service: Digital Engines Report Number: IN0401394DE Publication Date: February 2004 Number of Pages: 59 Report Price: $3,245 U.S. Dollars Abstract, Table of Contents, Figures & Tables Members Only Access: Full text PDF Purchase This Report Online Contact a Sales Representative

Market Research from In-Stat/MDR

In-Stat/MDR offers a broad range of information resources and analytical assets to technology vendors, service providers, technology professionals, and market specialists worldwide. The company stands alone in its ability to integrate both supply-side and demand-side research methodologies into a single comprehensive view of technology markets and products. This capability relies on a unique ability to cover the entire value chain from engineering-level technology, through equipment, infrastructure, services and end-users.

In-Stat/MDR is a part Reed Business Information, a leading provider of critical information and marketing solutions to business professionals and a member of the Reed Elsevier.

###