Increased Focus on Communications Bodes Well for the RF Test Equipment Market, Finds Frost & Sullivan

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Radio frequency (RF) test equipment is expected to experience a spurt in sales with the adoption of long-term evolution (LTE) technology as a communication standard. End users will procure RF testing equipment for R&D as well as installation and maintenance applications. Vendors will be hopeful of their market prospects, as LTE and new wireless technologies are likely to enable increased speed and higher bandwidth.

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The emergence of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology to address shrinking communication spectrum and the need for higher data rates augur well for the RF test equipment market.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.testandmeasurement.frost.com), World RF Test Equipment Markets, finds that the market earned revenues of $1.07 billion in 2009 and estimates this to reach $1.20 billion in 2014.

The introduction of Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, Inc. (WiMAX) and 3G has created a need for sophisticated test equipment in the telecommunications industry, which makes a robust case for RF test equipment.

Apart from the traditional wireless communications, RF is finding increasing application in the electronics industry.

"For example, while RF was not present earlier in the automotive industry, today, there is a plethora of applications, which include autopilots, hands-off communications, collision avoidance and telematics systems," says Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Sivakumar Narayanaswamy. "The prevalence of RF has encouraged the design of system level boards in most industries."

The market will also get a leg up with most legacy system end users seeking upgrades, as they need new systems that can handle the existing test standards.

However, the current global economic downturn has compelled end users to either reduce or defer investments in equipment for testing in research and manufacturing applications. The straitened circumstances had also curtailed capital investments in green-field infrastructural projects in Europe and North America, leading to lower investments in test equipment. Until the world economy recovers, the market's growth is likely to be lukewarm.

"With increased complexity and user experience being key factors in RF test equipment, test vendors need to invest in R&D during the economic downturn to support end-user needs during the impending new investment cycle," notes Narayanaswamy. "Key end-user segments, such as communications and industrial electronics, are poised for growth at the end of the financial slowdown, and demand is likely to remain stable."

If you are interested in more information on this study, please send an e-mail to Sarah Saatzer, Corporate Communications, at [email protected], with your full name, company name, job title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country.

World RF Test Equipment Markets is part of the Test & Measurement Growth Partnership Services program, which also includes research in the following markets: World Security Test Equipment Market, High Growth Market Opportunity – WiMAX and LTE Testing, World IMS Test and Monitoring Equipment Market, and World Wireless Test Equipment Market for Research and Development Applications. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

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World RF Test Equipment Markets

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan