SAN FRANSICO: The general-purpose analog IC market is projected to grow by 15 p.c to reach over $15 billion in 2010 as inventory levels have normalised and demand has risen.

According to Databeans Incorporated, the market research firm, based in Reno, Nevada, the United States, the general-purpose analog market posted just over $13 billion in sales in 2009 – down by 15 per cent from 2008.

The ranking of the top 5 suppliers remained unchanged from 2008 to 2009. However, 4 of the 5 biggest companies in the industry lost market share during the period. Only Texas Instruments Incorporated, the market leader, gained share in 2009, having moved to nearly 19 p.c from 18 p.c in 2008, according to Databeans.

Databeans Incorporated said in a statement that its definition of the general-purpose analog market includes high-performance products like precision data converters as well as and sophisticated power management ICs with integrated battery chargers and multiple PWM outputs.