Market Research estimates that the magnetic field sensor market is growing at an average annual rate of 8.7 %, and will reach $2 billion in 2016. In terms of number of units, growth is 10.3 %, and production will double in six years, reaching 7.14 billion units in 2016. Magnetic field sensors are commonly used to measure angles, rotation speeds, positions and electrical currents. The automotive market alone accounts for 40 % of the market. Consumer markets (DVD players, cameras, printers, telephones, washing machines, etc.) constitute another very important market. In terms of technologies, Hall-effect sensors alone account for over 70 % of the market, well ahead of magneto-resistive and inductive sensors. The new AMR and GMR technologies look set for a bright future. The main suppliers of Hall-effect sensors are Allegro, Micronas, Melexis, Austria Microsystems and AKM. For AMR sensors, the names of NXP, Sensitec and Honeywell. As for GMR sensors, they are mainly offered by NVE and Hitachi.
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