DC-DC Converter Modules and ICs: Global Market Forecasts and Competitive Environment, Ninth Edition - Market Research Reports

Contents:

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER II PURPOSE, SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY

Purpose
Scope
Methodology
Correlation and Analysis

CHAPTER III EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
DC-DC Converter Modules: Economic Factors, Market Drivers and Technological Trends
Worldwide Market Forecasts
North America Market Forecasts
Europe Market Forecasts
Asia Market Forecasts
Central and Latin America Market Forecasts
Competitive Environment

CHAPTER IV DC-DC CONVERTERS: ECONOMIC FACTORS, MARKET DRIVERS AND TECHNOLOGICAL TRENDS
Introduction
Economic Factors
Application Drivers
AdvancedTCA® & MicroTCA
Blade Servers
PoE Plus
Business Models
Consolidation of the Power Supply Industry
Revenue and Pricing Issues
Second Sourcing
Packaging Trends
Modules versus Discretes
Cost Advantages of Modules over Discretes
VRM Developments
Technology Developments
Digital Control
Data Centers
Intermediate Bus Architecture

CHAPTER V WORLDWIDE MARKET FORECASTS
Introduction
DC-DC Converter IC Forecasts
DC-DC Converter Module Forecasts
Regional Forecasts
Design Type Forecasts
Input Voltage Forecasts
Product Type Forecasts
Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Forecasts
Wattage Forecasts
Output Voltage Forecasts
Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Forecasts
Amperage Forecasts
Output Voltage Forecasts
DC-DC Converter Module Application Forecasts

CHAPTER VI NORTH AMERICA MARKET FORECASTS
Introduction
DC-DC Converter Module Forecasts
Design Type Forecasts
Input Voltage Forecasts
Product Type Forecasts
Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Forecasts
Wattage Forecasts
Output Voltage Forecasts
Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Forecasts
Amperage Forecasts
Output Voltage Forecasts
DC-DC Converter Module Application Forecasts

CHAPTER VII EUROPE MARKET FORECASTS
Introduction
DC-DC Converter Module Forecasts
Design Type Forecasts
Input Voltage Forecasts
Product Type Forecasts
Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Forecasts
Wattage Forecasts
Output Voltage Forecasts
Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Forecasts
Amperage Forecasts
Output Voltage Forecasts
DC-DC Converter Module Application Forecasts

CHAPTER VIII ASIA MARKET FORECASTS
Introduction
DC-DC Converter Module Forecasts
Design Type Forecasts
Input Voltage Forecasts
Product Type Forecasts
Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Forecasts
Wattage Forecasts
Output Voltage Forecasts
Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Forecasts
Amperage Forecasts
Output Voltage Forecasts
DC-DC Converter Module Application Forecasts

CHAPTER IX CALA MARKET FORECASTS
Introduction
DC-DC Converter Module Forecasts
Design Type Forecasts
Input Voltage Forecasts
Product Type Forecasts
Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Forecasts
Wattage Forecasts
Output Voltage Forecasts
Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Forecasts
Amperage Forecasts
Output Voltage Forecasts
DC-DC Converter Module Application Forecasts

CHAPTER X COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT
Overview
Market Share
Profiles of Leading Competitors
Artesyn Technologies, Inc. (an Emerson Company)
Astec Power (an Emerson Company)
Bel Fuse Inc
C&D Technologies, Inc
Cherokee International
Delta Electronics
Enpirion
Ericsson Power Modules AB
Harmer + Simmons, (France) SAS
Interpoint Corporation, A Crane Co. Company
Linear Technology
Lite-On Technology Corp
Magnetek, Inc
Murata Manufacturing Co
NetPower Technologies, Inc
Power-One, Inc
Shindengen Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd
SL Industries Inc
SynQor
Tamura Corporation
Lambda
Tyco Electronics Power Systems
Vicor Corp
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc
Yutaka Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd
Additional DC-DC Manufacturers
Acbel Polytech, Inc
Ambit Microsystems Corp.
AUTRONIC Steuer-und Regeltechnik GmbH & Co KG
Cincon Electronics
Cosel USA, Inc
ETA-USA
GAIA Converter
IBEK Electronics
IKOR, An iWatt Company
Martek Power
TDK Innoveta Inc
Traco Electronics AD
Transistor Devices, Inc
Wall Industries Inc
DC-DC Converter Manufacturers Summary Grid

APPENDIX A GLOSSARY

LIST OF TABLES
CHAPTER V WORLDWIDE MARKET FORECASTS
Table V-1 Worldwide DC-DC Converter/Regulator ICs by Topology (millions of units)
Table V-2 Worldwide DC-DC Converter/Regulator ICs by Amperage (millions of units)
Table V-3 Worldwide DC-DC Controller ICs by Module Product Type (millions of units)
Table V-4 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Region ($ market share)
Table V-5 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Design Type (millions of dollars)
Table V-6 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of dollars)
Table V-7 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of units)
Table V-8 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage ($/unit)
Table V-9 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of dollars)
Table V-10 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of units)
Table V-11 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type ($/unit)
Table V-12 Worldwide Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of dollars)
Table V-13 Worldwide Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of units)
Table V-14 Worldwide Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage ($/unit)
Table V-15 Worldwide Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of dollars)
Table V-16 Worldwide Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of units)
Table V-17 Worldwide Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of dollars)
Table V-18 Worldwide Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of units)
Table V-19 Worldwide Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage ($/unit)
Table V-20 Worldwide Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of dollars)
Table V-21 Worldwide Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of units)
Table V-22 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of dollars)
Table V-23 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of units)
Table V-24 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application ($/unit)

CHAPTER VI NORTH AMERICA MARKET FORECASTS
Table VI-1 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Design Type (millions of dollars)
Table VI-2 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of dollars)
Table VI-3 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of units)
Table VI-4 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage ($/units)
Table VI-5 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of dollars)
Table VI-6 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of units)
Table VI-7 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type ($/units)
Table VI-8 North America Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of dollars)
Table VI-9 North America Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of units)
Table VI-10 North America Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage ($/units)
Table VI-11 North America Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of dollars)
Table VI-12 North America Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of units)
Table VI-13 North America Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of dollars0
Table VI-14 North America Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of units)
Table VI-15 North America Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage ($/units)
Table VI-16 North America Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of dollars)
Table VI-17 North America Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of units)
Table VI-18 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of dollars)
Table VI-19 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of units)
Table VI-20 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application ($/units)

CHAPTER VII EUROPE MARKET FORECASTS
Table VII-1 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Design Type (millions of dollars)
Table VII-2 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of dollars)
Table VII-3 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of units)
Table VII-4 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage ($/unit)
Table VII-5 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of dollars)
Table VII-6 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of units)
Table VII-7 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type ($/unit)
Table VII-8 Europe Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of dollars)
Table VII-9 Europe Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of units)
Table VII-10 Europe Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage ($/unit)
Table VII-11 Europe Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of dollars)
Table VII-12 Europe Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of units)
Table VII-13 Europe Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of dollars)
Table VII-14 Europe Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of units)
Table VII-15 Europe Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage ($/unit)
Table VII-16 Europe Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of dollars)
Table VII-17 Europe Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of units)
Table VII-18 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of dollars)
Table VII-19 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of units)
Table VII-20 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application ($/unit)

CHAPTER VIII ASIA MARKET FORECASTS
Table VIII-1 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Design Type (millions of dollars)
Table VIII-2 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of dollars)
Table VIII-3 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of units)
Table VIII-4 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage ($/unit)
Table VIII-5 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of dollars)
Table VIII-6 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of units)
Table VIII-7 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type ($/unit)
Table VIII-8 Asia Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of dollars)
Table VIII-9 Asia Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of units)
Table VIII-10 Asia Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage ($/unit)
Table VIII-11 Asia Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of dollars)
Table VIII-12 Asia Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of units)
Table VIII-13 Asia Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of dollars)
Table VIII-14 Asia Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of units)
Table VIII-15 Asia Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage ($/unit)
Table VIII-16 Asia Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of dollars)
Table VIII-17 Asia Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of units)
Table VIII-18 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of dollars)
Table VIII-19 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of units)
Table VIII-20 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application ($/unit)

CHAPTER IX CALA MARKET FORECASTS
Table IX-1 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Design Type (millions of dollars)
Table IX-2 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of dollars)
Table IX-3 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of units)
Table IX-4 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage ($/unit)
Table IX-5 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of dollars)
Table IX-6 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of units)
Table IX-7 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type ($/unit)
Table IX-8 CALA Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of dollars)
Table IX-9 CALA Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of units)
Table IX-10 CALA Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage ($/unit)
Table IX-11 CALA Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of dollars)
Table IX-12 CALA Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of units)
Table IX-13 CALA Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of dollars)
Table IX-14 CALA Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of units)
Table IX-15 CALA Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage ($/unit)
Table IX-16 CALA Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of dollars)
Table IX-17 CALA Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Output Voltage (millions of units)
Table IX-18 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of dollars)
Table IX-19 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of units)
Table IX-20 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application ($/unit)

CHAPTER X COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT
Table X-1 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Modules Companies by Top Ten Market Share (estimated revenue by millions and estimated market share)
Table X-2 North American DC-DC Converter Modules Companies by Top Five Market Shares (estimated market share)
Table X-3 Europe DC-DC Converter Modules Companies by Top Five Market Shares (estimated market share)
Table X-4 Asia DC-DC Converter Modules Companies by Top Five Market Shares (estimated market share)
Page 10 - DC-DC Converters - 09106 2006, Darnell Group, (951) 279-6684

LIST OF GRAPHS
CHAPTER III EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Graph III-1 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of dollars)
Graph III-2 Worldwide DC-DC Converter/Regulator ICs and Nonisolated DC-DC Modules by Amperage (Five-Year CAGR & millions of units)
Graph III-3 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of units)
Graph III-4 Normalized Pricing for DC-DC POL Converters ($ per Amp)

CHAPTER IV DC-DC CONVERTERS: ECONOMIC FACTORS, MARKET DRIVERS AND TECHNOLOGICAL TRENDS
Graph IV-1 North America Power Supply Market Ratio of Peak Sales to Current Sales (selected companies)
Graph IV-2 Advertised Pricing for DC-DC POL Converters ($ per Amp)
Graph IV-3 Normalized Pricing for DC-DC POL Converters ($ per Amp)
Graph IV-4 Component Manufacturing Costs

CHAPTER V WORLDWIDE MARKET FORECASTS
Graph V-1 Worldwide DC-DC Converter/Regulator ICs by Topology (millions of units)
Graph V-2 Worldwide DC-DC Converter/Regulator ICs by Amperage (millions of units)
Graph V-3 Worldwide DC-DC Converter/Regulator ICs and Nonisolated DC-DC Modules by Amperage (Five-Year CAGR & millions of units)
Graph V-4 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Region ($ market share)
Graph V-5 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Design Type (millions of dollars)
Graph V-6 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of dollars)
Graph V-7 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of units)
Graph V-8 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of dollars)
Graph V-9 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of units)
Graph V-10 Worldwide Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of dollars)
Graph V-11 Worldwide Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of units)
Graph V-12 Worldwide Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of dollars)
Graph V-13 Worldwide Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of units)
Graph V-14 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of dollars)
Graph V-15 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of dollars)
Graph V-16 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Computer Sub-segment (millions of dollars)
Graph V-17 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Module Market by Communications Sub-segment (millions of dollars)

CHAPTER VI NORTH AMERICA MARKET FORECASTS
Graph VI-1 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Design Type (millions of dollars)
Graph VI-2 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of dollars)
Graph VI-3 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of units)
Graph VI-4 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of dollars)
Graph VI-5 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of units)
Graph VI-6 North America Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of dollars)
Graph VI-7 North America Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of units)
Graph VI-8 North America Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of dollars)
Graph VI-9 North America Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of units)
Graph VI-10 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of dollars)
Graph VI-11 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of dollars)
Graph VI-12 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Computer Sub-segment (millions of dollars)
Graph VI-13 North America DC-DC Converter Module Market by Communications Sub-segment (millions of dollars)

CHAPTER VII EUROPE MARKET FORECASTS
Graph VII-1 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Design Type (millions of dollars)
Graph VII-2 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of dollars)
Graph VII-3 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of units)
Graph VII-4 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of dollars)
Graph VII-5 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of units)
Graph VII-6 Europe Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of dollars)
Graph VII-7 Europe Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of units)
Graph VII-8 Europe Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of dollars)
Graph VII-9 Europe Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of units)
Graph VII-10 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of dollars)
Graph VII-11 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of dollars)
Graph VII-12 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Computer Sub-segment (millions of dollars)
Graph VII-13 Europe DC-DC Converter Module Market by Communications Sub-segment (millions of dollars)

CHAPTER VIII ASIA MARKET FORECASTS
Graph VIII-1 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Design Type (millions of dollars)
Graph VIII-2 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of dollars)
Graph VIII-3 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of units)
Graph VIII-4 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of dollars)
Graph VIII-5 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of units)
Graph VIII-6 Asia Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of dollars)
Graph VIII-7 Asia Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of units)
Graph VIII-8 Asia Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of dollars)
Graph VIII-9 Asia Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of units)
Graph VIII-10 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of dollars)
Graph VIII-11 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of dollars)
Graph VIII-12 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Computer Sub-segment (millions of dollars)
Graph VIII-13 Asia DC-DC Converter Module Market by Communications Sub-segment (millions of dollars)

CHAPTER IX CALA MARKET FORECASTS
Graph IX-1 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Design Type (millions of dollars)
Graph IX-2 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of dollars)
Graph IX-3 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Input Voltage (millions of units)
Graph IX-4 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of dollars)
Graph IX-5 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Product Type (millions of units)
Graph IX-6 CALA Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of dollars)
Graph IX-7 CALA Isolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Wattage (millions of units)
Graph IX-8 CALA Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of dollars)
Graph IX-9 CALA Nonisolated DC-DC Converter Module Market by Amperage (millions of units)
Graph IX-10 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of dollars)
Graph IX-11 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Application (millions of dollars)
Graph IX-12 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Computer Sub-segment (millions of dollars)
Graph IX-13 CALA DC-DC Converter Module Market by Communications Sub-segment (millions of dollars)

CHAPTER X COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT
Graph X-1 Worldwide DC-DC Converter Modules Companies by Top Ten Market Share
Graph X-2 North American DC-DC Converter Modules Companies by Top Five Market Shares (percentage)
Graph X-3 Europe DC-DC Converter Modules Companies by Top Five Market Shares (percentage)
Graph X-4 Asia DC-DC Converter Modules Companies by Top Five Market Shares (Percentage)

Summary:

The fundamental purpose of this research study is to provide the information and analysis necessary to make strategic decisions about the sales potential and future demand characteristics for board-mounted dc-dc converter modules and discrete dc-dc converters. “Modules” are defined as a complete dc-dc converter solution, while “discrete” solutions are mounted directly to the system printed circuit board.

The dc-dc converter module market has been subject to a number of factors over the past couple of years that have brought down our projections for dollar sales between 2006 and 2011. In our previous edition of this report (2005), the worldwide dollar market for dc-dc converter modules was expected to be approximately $3.6 billion in 2006. In this edition, that number has been lowered to approximately $3.2 billion in 2006. This is a 12.5% drop, and it is due to several business and economic factors in the dc-dc converter market. These factors differ, depending on whether you’re looking at the brick market or the nonisolated market.

Unit sales for dc-dc converter modules have been flat, and we reduced our previous 2006 worldwide forecast by 2% for the current report (from 104.3 million to 102.0 million units). So the 12.5% revenue drop cannot be explained by declining unit sales. What we could not have predicted was that Delta Electronics has grown about 40% a year for two consecutive years. Delta has been increasing market share in the dc-dc converter market, and its Power Systems Business Group II has grown from about 9% to 16% of its business. In the higher-wattage brick segments (not including bus converters), downward pressure has pushed prices well below the $0.28/W reported in our 2005 report. Delta is bringing its competitive, ac-dc power supply pricing model to the dc-dc converter module world. Mergers such as Emerson and Artesyn will simply reinforce these pricing pressures.

Further affecting the revenue landscape is the maturity of the Intermediate Bus Architecture (IBA). Although this technology once drove sales of dc-dc converters, IBA adoption has flattened out as a result of normal market dynamics. Since any continued adoption of the IBA will not be large enough to ramp up dc-dc converter sales on its own, business trends will have to be the primary driver of the dc-dc converter industry over the next two years, which will result in a challenging market environment for makers of dc-dc converter modules.

Turning to the nonisolated portion of the dc-dc market, competition is coming from semiconductor makers. Power management ICs and “hybrid” products have reached a higher-current “node” and are now encroaching on territory that had, until recently, been the exclusive domain of modules. In particular, the >3A ranges are where ICs are taking market share from the module makers, and the >5A to =10A range is experiencing the greatest dynamics and growth. By comparison, these same amperage ranges in nonisolated dc-dc converter modules are experiencing either declining growth or slow growth. Combined, the >5A-=10A and >10A segments will go from just 8% of the Converter/Regulator IC market to 11% of the market between 2006 and 2011. Given this new competition, module makers have had to trim margins in order to remain competitive.

Another important factor affecting dc-dc converter module sales is the changing competitive environment. For years considered a fragmented industry, with hundreds of participants competing for market share, the dc-dc converter market is undergoing a broad consolidation. Many of the larger manufacturers are turning to a variety of business strategies, including partnerships, consolidations, and mergers and acquisitions in order to compete successfully in the market. In 2005, the top 10 market share leaders combined for about 35% of the worldwide dollar market. This year, the top ten companies make up over 44% of the market. In fact, in 2006, the top two companies, Delta Electronics and Emerson (including new acquisition Artesyn and existing power conversion company Astec), make up almost 17% of the worldwide dollar market, and that number is expected to grow.

Application dynamics are also playing a key role in the evolution of the dc-dc converter module market. For example, the Computer market is expected to overtake Communications as the largest worldwide application by 2011. In 2006, Communications is projected to be about 46% of dc-dc converter module unit sales, with Computers accounting for about 44%. By 2011, Computers will increase to 50% of the market, while Communications declines to approximately 42% of the market.

These current business factors, combined with broader economic indicators, are expected to contribute to lower dc-dc converter revenues over the next few years. Due to such factors as higher interest rates and the recent housing bubble, the worldwide, five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for dc-dc converter module dollar sales was decreased from 10.5% (in the previous report) to 8.6% (in the current report). This is supported by applications such as servers, which have experienced eight consecutive quarters of declining growth rates. Regionally, only North America and Asia (excluding Japan) saw server sales growth during the second quarter of 2006, and this was only 3.6% and 2.6%, respectively.

Dc-dc converter module makers are now facing a challenging market environment. Despite falling prices and the concurrent decline in revenue forecasts, however, opportunities still exist for modules. The business and technology climates may be changing, but if power supply makers are aware of these shifts, they can take advantage of the opportunities that such shifts present.