Global Small Signal Diode Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)

The Global Small Signal Diode Market is expected to register a CAGR of 3.5% over the forecast period from 2022 to 2027. The outbreak of COVID-19 across the globe significantly disrupted the supply chain and production of the studied market during the initial phase of 2020. Due to labor shortages, many of the players in the semiconductor supply chain worldwide had to reduce or even suspend their operations, which affected the market growth.

Key Highlights

• The small-signal diode has a high switching speed with a fast recovery time. Many electronic systems use small signal diodes, which are AC (continuously changing) signals or pulses with amplitudes of a few volts, millivolts, or even microvolts. Radio, audio, video, and digital signals are employed in the household, industrial equipment, automobile, aeronautic, and musical systems.
• Further, small signal diodes are available in wire-ended and surface mount (SMT) configurations. They differ from rectifier diodes and have smaller junction areas, resulting in junction-less capacitance, making them more useful at higher frequencies. Small signal diodes with high speeds are often known as switching diodes. They are smaller and have lower maximum reverse voltage specifications than dedicated power rectifiers.
• Signal diodes often have a low current carrying capacity and power dissipation compared to their other capabilities. The Small Signal Diode can be manufactured using Silicon or Germanium type semiconductor material, although the diode's characteristics vary based on the doping material used.
• The global supply chains are disrupted as the virus spreads worldwide, and there is still uncertainty over quarantine durations. Many manufacturing factories were shut down across the world. For instance, most of the company's manufacturing facilities, On semi, were shut down due to government mandates in countries like Malaysia, China, Malaysia, and the Philippines, which impacted its ability to supply products to its clients and created a gap in demand and supply.​
• The complexity associated with the design of small signal diodes can hinder the market's growth. Factors such as the manufacturing cost and functional reliability issues are expected to hinder the market's growth for the small signal diode in the coming years.

Key Market Trends

Germanium Signal Diodes Expected to Witness Significant Market Share

• Germanium diodes are used in electrical circuits and conduct electrical signals in only one direction. A germanium diode has some advantages over a silicone diode. Compared to a silicone diode, a germanium diode loses less energy as the current travels through. This makes it an ideal alternative for signals created by modest currents where a considerable energy loss could cause the signal to be disrupted.
• In low signal environments (signal detection from audio to FM frequencies) and low-level logic circuits, germanium's smaller voltage drop becomes crucial. As a result, low-level digital circuits are increasingly using germanium diodes. With the rising interest in germanium diodes, it became essential to understand the basic features of the material.
• One significant benefit of germanium diodes, which could be a disruptive force for a circuit, is that they have lower threshold voltages and, as a result, fewer voltage drops. The threshold voltage is the voltage at which the diode must conduct current from anode to cathode. This is referred to as forwarding current. The diode cannot conduct current unless the threshold voltage is met.
• Modern germanium diodes are point contact diodes with a wire contact made of a germanium wafer. The current rating is often in the milliamp range, with a low inverse and high reverse voltage. They are used as small-signal diodes for detection because of this limitation.

Asia-Pacific Expected to Witness Significant Market Share

• Asia-Pacific holds a prominent market share due to a significant number of regional semiconductor manufacturing operations. The pure-play manufacturers operating in the region are increasing their production capacity to cater to the growing demand from fabless vendors.
• The Thai government launched an EV action plan in 2016 to encourage the production of BEVs and PHEVs to have 1.2 million such vehicles on the road by 2036. As a result, 13 companies have benefited from preferential tax treatment for electric vehicles. Thailand announced an EV roadmap in March 2020 to produce 250,000 EVs by 2025 and establish an ASEAN EV hub, which will drive market growth.
• The rapid deployment of 5G networks, coupled with the increasing Internet of Things (IoT) applications for devices, such as assisted driving and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication for smart transport, is expected to increase the demand for small signal diodes.
• Further, in June 2022, Toshiba Electronics extended its collaboration with Farnell, a global distributor of electrical components traded as element14 in the Asia Pacific. Farnell will stock more Toshiba products in larger numbers due to this partnership, enhancing support of Toshiba's client supply chain. Farnell's portfolio contains more of Toshiba's devices, totaling 1,000 by 2023. Toshiba's compact signal diodes and transistors will be highlighted.
• The Japanese government aims to ensure that all new cars sold in Japan be electric or hybrid vehicles by 2050. The country plans to subsidize the private sector to accelerate the development of batteries and motors for electricity-powered vehicles. Japan witnessed an increase in EV charging stations to support the rising number of EVs because of the introduction of government subsidies for EV buyers. This is expected to drive the small signal diode demand in the automotive industry.

Competitive Landscape

The Global Small Signal Diode Market is moderately competitive, with many regional and global players. Key players include Vishay Intertechnology, Inc, On Semiconductor Corporation, Diodes Incorporated, Microsemi Corporation, and ROHM CO., LTD.

• February 2022 - Onsemi, a provider of intelligent power and sensor solutions, adopted a fab-liter manufacturing approach to achieve long-term financial success by increasing gross margins.
• October 2021 - Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. announced the availability of new surface-mount tiny signal diodes in the ultra-compact DFN1006-2A plastic package with wettable flanks. The 40 V BAS40L Schottky and 100 V BAS16L switching diodes are AEC-Q101 approved and designed to conserve space and improve thermal performance in automotive and industrial applications.

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support

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