GaN market gains from demand for commercial apps

The report predicts that military applications will continue to lead the way, but the percentage of the total GaN revenue derived from military applications will shrink from 98 percent in 2010 to 67 percent in 2015. In addition, the market research firm forecasts that revenue growth rates for GaN devices in wireless infrastructure, high power electronics and very small aperture terminals VSAT/CATV will all exceed 100 percent.

"Driven by performance advantages like efficiency, power dissipation and operating temperature, GaN is finally starting to generate interest in commercial market applications," said Eric Higham, director of the strategy analytics GaAs and compound semiconductor technologies service. "GaN developments by device manufacturers like RFMD and Nitronex (for CATV applications) and International Rectifier and EPC (for power converter applications) are displacing other technologies. Operators and equipment manufacturers are recognizing the operating cost advantage that GaN can provide."

"Military applications and government funding for semiconductor companies like TriQuint and Cree will continue to drive GaN development. Additionally, the overall GaN market will expand with demand for commercial applications," stated Asif Anwar, director in the Strategy Analytics strategic technologies practice.