STMicroelectronics Ships Three Billionth MEMS Chip and Reinforces Its Lead in Motion Sensors for Phones, Tablets and Other Consumer Devices
ST leads across all mobile operating systems
Geneva, January 31, 2013 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global
semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics
applications, today announced it has shipped three billion MEMS sensors to date-
laid side by side, these chips would exceed the height of Mt Everest[1]. The
achievement reconfirms ST's position as the clear leader in MEMS (Micro-Electro-
Mechanical Systems) devices for consumer and portable applications[2].
According to information and analytics firm IHS, ST's total MEMS and sensor
sales grew more than 19% in 2012, reaching a total of approximately $800
million. In the largest of these markets, motion sensors in mobile handsets and
tablets, ST's MEMS sales accounted for 48% of the market, well more than twice
as large as that of its closest competitor, according to IHS.
"Our research shows that, in the mobile market, ST is the number one MEMS
supplier across all of the important mobile handset operating systems," said
Jeremie Bouchaud, director and senior principal analyst for MEMS and sensors at
IHS. "Even in the highly competitive Android market, ST has nearly twice the
market share of its nearest competitor."
ST's MEMS sensors have enabled motion-activated user interfaces in many
different popular consumer devices, including most of the leading smart phones,
tablets, personal media players, game consoles, digital still cameras and
remotes, making these more accessible and appealing to people. ST's MEMS devices
are also widely used for free-fall protection in laptop hard-disk drives, in
many health and fitness products, and for car infotainment and enhanced
navigation. Today, they are being designed into new applications as varied as
providing the crispest, clearest audio in mobile communications and adding
localized weather/environmental monitoring capabilities to consumers' mobile
devices.
"Sensors play a crucial role in the evolving wireless world, in enabling the
intuitive gesture-based control that is increasingly expected as the norm and in
paving the way for new services and user experiences," said Benedetto Vigna, ST
Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Analog, MEMS & Sensors
Group. "From sensors to secure communications, from power management to display
driving and projection, ST solutions are enabling wave after wave of innovation
in the wireless world that is changing the lives of people everywhere."
The one-stop MEMS supplier of choice, ST offers a comprehensive portfolio of
micro-machined accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors, magnetic sensors,
and microphones and has the capability to integrate these in multi-sensor combos
with on-board signal processing, control functions, sensor-fusion algorithms,
and wireless connectivity. Not only the clear market leader, ST is also at the
forefront of MEMS technology development with more than 600 MEMS-related patent
families, ST leads the way towards intelligent and independent sensing devices
that will open new horizons in consumer electronics, healthcare, environmental
sciences, and many other domains.
For further information on ST's complete MEMS portfolio see www.st.com/mems.
About STMicroelectronics
ST is a global leader in the semiconductor market serving customers across the
spectrum of sense and power and automotive products and embedded processing
solutions. From energy management and savings to trust and data security, from
healthcare and wellness to smart consumer devices, in the home, car and office,
at work and at play, ST is found everywhere microelectronics make a positive and
innovative contribution to people's life. By getting more from technology to get
more from life, ST stands for life.augmented.
In 2012, the Company's net revenues were $8.49 billion. Further information on
ST can be found at www.st.com.
For Press Information Contact:
STMicroelectronics
Michael Markowitz
Director Technical Media Relations
+1 781 591 0354
michael.markowitz@st.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] Mt Everest is 8850 meters high and 3B chips, 3mm wide on average, is 9 km.
[2] IHS iSuppli MEMS H2 2012 Special Report: Motion Sensors in Mobile Handsets &
Tablets
ST Ships 3B MEMS:
http://hugin.info/152740/R/1674406/545198.pdf
ST Ships 3B MEMS_IMAGE:
http://hugin.info/152740/R/1674406/545199.jpg
This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of
Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: STMicroelectronics via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1674406]