Embedded Non-Volatile Memory Market - Doing It The IoT Way

Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility and it boils down to this - In cybersecurity, the more systems we secure, more secure we all are! - Jeh Johnson.

All the hullabaloo about cybersecurity cannot just be a rumor, because where there is a smoke, there ought to be a fire. Cyberattacks have got everyone thinking about the solutions and what to do when attacked! However, with the rising case of cyberthreats, it begs a question, what are we doing on the innovation front to secure ourselves from an attack in the first place?

Along with the impending question about cybersecurity, what about the potential to leverage the next big thing i.e. Internet of Things (IoT), to reap maximum benefits and make human life simpler. IoT is knocking on the door and we’re expected to embrace it with open arms, however, we need to ask ourselves whether we have the optimum miniaturized storage devices to cash in on the opportunity?

The answer to all those questions above is simply provided by the memory devices named, Embedded Non-Volatile Memory.

eNVM Shows The Way…

Embedded Non-Volatile Memory or eNVM, as the name suggest, is a type of non-volatile memory that has made modern computing systems faster and scalable. eNVMs have a better in-system re-programmability and has made electronics design more flexible when compared to the stand-alone flash memories.They are also the key components of microcontrollers used in IoT devices. In fact, the rise of IoT era has instigated demand for innovative products, which has placed pressure on foundries to deliver highly optimized components, in which eNVMs find its place. Rise of IoT and several other factors have led to rise in demands exponentially in the market. So much so that, Embedded Non-Volatile Memory Market size is expected to reach USD 471.5 Million by 2022, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc.

Factors Are Important

As stated above, factors are every bit important in keeping the market on a growth trajectory. The eNVM market has several diverse factors which provides boost to it from several areas.

• Introduction of Internet of Things (IOT) has revolutionized the manufacturing process and consumer requirements. Growing need for lightweight and miniature devices at comparatively lower cost is expected to be the key reason for high growth.

• The use of low power and low-cost eNVM plays a key role in decreasing the consumer electronics cost significantly. This helps create an extra demand in the countries, such as, India, China and Japan due to their increasing industrialization and delayed technology adoption.

• The growing need for secured connected devices is expected to catapult eNVM sales. Integration of touchscreen, accelerometers, proximity sensors, and camera module in consumer electronics such as tablets, smartphones, and smart wearable, is also anticipated to propel eNVM demand.

• eNVMs provide several benefits including low power, in-system re-programmability, low voltage, noise reduction, reliability, reduced system cost, high-speed, and high-density system performance and are thereby preferred over standalone memory.

With the above factors keeping the animal spirit in the market alive, proliferation of multiple applications also fuels the growth of the market.

Applications Galore

• eNVMs in IoT-based products are used in consumer electronics, retail, manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare. Healthcare segment in IoT market is expected to witness healthy growth owing to increasing usage in managing day-to-day clinical operations and tracking hospitalized patients.

• They are increasingly used in smart cards, MCUs, SIM cards, code storage, manufacturing, and security purposes. eNVM is extensively used for code storage, which is expected to witness high growth.

• Consumer electronics like mobile chipsets, are quite popular and take full advantage of Embedded NVM IP to meet the demands for new features and improved form factor.It is found in the CMOS image sensor, baseband processor, RF transceiver, power amplifier, display, and power management chip sets. The Apple store cannot be overlooked as the hub of the eNVM

• Automotive industry has a knack of using eNVM IP for the advancements that are high in demand. Also due to the reliability of these products, automotive industry doesn’t budge from availing it.Applications range from control systems and DSPs to in-car communications and infotainment systems and, perhaps, more than we haven’t thought of inside a Tesla Model S.

Aggressive Competition

Major competitors depend and focus on reducing cost and energy consumption. Along with increasing the reliability of the products to stay afloat in the competition. Key companies, ruling the roost in the market are GlobalFoundries, United Microcontroller Corporation (UMC), Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), HHGrace, Kilopass, and eMemory Technology Inc.

Recent Developments

• GlobalFoundries (GF) and GlobalWafers Co., Ltd. (GWC), have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a long-term supply agreement for 300mm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers.

• GlobalFoundries (GF), the world’s leading specialty foundry, acquired the PDK (Process Design Kit) engineering team from Smartcom Bulgaria AD. Acquisition strengthens overall process design capabilities and expands the company’s footprint in Europe

  In-depth report on global embedded non-volatile memory (eNVM) market by Grand View Research:

https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/embedded-non-volatile-memory-envm-market