Infrared Data Link Market Makes 300% Leap By 2002

According to a new report from Strategies Unlimited, the global market for infrared data links will exceed $290 million by 2002, up from $82 million in 1997. Demand for notebook PCs, cellular telephones, digital cameras, and other key applications will bring 29% annual growth to the market.

The dominant infrared data link application is the notebook computer, which accounts for well over half of all infrared data links sold in 1997. Because infrared data links can be found in over 95% of notebook computers currently sold, growth from this application will be limited to growth in notebook computer sales. Therefore, if the industry is to continue its high rate of expansion, it must make substantial inroads to new markets, including handheld PCs and PDAs, cellular phones, and digital still cameras.

Infrared data links will have to upgrade their data rates to match increasing sizes of computer and digital image files. Currently, the fastest data rate is 4 Mbps. Data rates as high as 16 Mbps have been demonstrated, and an advanced infrared standard for diffuse, high-data-rate wireless networking applications is on the horizon.

Sixteen companies manufacture infrared data links worldwide, with Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Novalog, Sharp, and Vishay Telefunken (formerly TEMIC) resting among the top five. With significant potential in this market, six additional companies have entered the market in the last twelve months, including Lite-On, Matsushita, Sanyo, SigmaTel, Stanley and Texas Instruments.

The report titled Infrared Data Link Market Review and Forecast - 1998 is currently available from Strategies Unlimited.