January - February 2003 The International Reference for Chip-Scale Electronics, Flip-Chip Technology, Optoelectronic Interconnection and Wafer-Level Packaging Email the editor

Equipment produced at Palomar's new division dispenses epoxy into opto packages with nano precision.

Palomar Acquires Axsys' Fiber Automation Div.

Vista, Calif.-Palomar Technologies has acquired the Fiber Auto-mation Division (FAD) of Axsys Technologies of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Renamed Palomar Photonics Automation, the unit will continue as a wholly owned Palomar subsidiary.

Mike Formica, Axsys' FAD vice president/GM, will manage day-to-day operations of the new Palomar division.

Palomar said the acquisition will give it added abilities in fiber-to-component nano-positioning equipment for the optoelectronics market. [palomartechnologies.com]

Note: All figures are rounded; the base year is 2001. (Source: Frost & Sullivan)

$2.91B Market Forecast for N.A. MEMS Sensor Sales

San Jose-By 2008, the MEMS sensor market will reach revenues of $2.91 billion, according to a report by industry research firm Frost & Sullivan. Last year, Frost estimates, market revenues were $1.39 billion, up from 2000's $1.22 billion.

The difference between 2001 and 2008 represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of some 11.2 percent.

Frost believes the market is entering a more accelerated growth cycle throughout the forecast due to technological innovations and the development of MEMS-specific platforms.

There are some 50-80 companies in the North American, MEMS-based sensors market. Today, most MEMS sensor revenue is derived from crash and pressure sensors for automotive or medical use. [frost.com]