Multivariable pressure sensing gains momentum

A three-volume market study evaluates markets for various technologies used in process transmitters, nonprocess transducers and transmitters, and component level pressure sensors.

A recent three-volume market study by Venture Development Corporation evaluates and forecasts worldwide markets for various technologies used in process transmitters, nonprocess transducers and transmitters, and component level pressure sensors (solid state devices sold either as silicon chips, or with a limited degree of packaging that allow these to be incorporated into transducers and transmitters).

Multivariable pressure sensing devices combine a pressure output with one or more other types of sensing output (most typically temperature) in one unit.

These accounted for a small share of worldwide pressure transducer and pressure transmitter shipments in 2005, at $217.8 million of a $3,850 million market, or 5.7% of the total.

However, the growth rate in shipment of these products is expected to be much higher than the industry average, with shipments expected to reach $489.6 million of a $5,129.7 million market in 2010, or 9.5% of the total.

This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.6% over the period, compared with 5.9% for the overall market.

The most cited reasons for shipment growth in these products are cost savings; in lower prices than in purchase of two or more devices, and lower costs after purchase (lower installation/wiring costs, lower maintenance costs etc).

Other advantages cited are easier calibration, easier diagnostics, fewer cables, higher reliability, less weight, space savings, and reduction in process intrusion/penetration.

Increasing complexity of applications, with requirements for multiple sensing functions, will drive demand.

However, the need for these sensing function are not always at the same location, and this will limit demand.

Furthermore, with multifunction sensing in one package, if one sensor fails, a more expensive sensor unit has to be replaced.

This also will tend to limit growth in demand for these products.

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