BOSTON, USA: The Strategy Analytics RF & Wireless Component Strategies report, "RF Analog Mixed-Signal Gains Importance as Semiconductor Design IP Growth Slows," notes that the semiconductor design IP (intellectual property) sector grew to $1.5 billion in revenue in 2007, up approximately 11 percent over 2006, a slower growth than in previous years.

The report profiles the semiconductor design IP industry, and noting that the very success of IP for RF and wireless applications has indirectly contributed to slower growth for the semiconductor design IP sector overall.

"The growing importance and complexity of SoCs that combine RF and digital contributed to slower growth and consolidation in this sector in 2007," says Christopher Taylor, Director of the Strategy Analytics RF & Wireless Components market research service. "Getting even a fraction of the IP cores on offer by more than 90 firms to work together, especially in SoCs for wireless devices, is a difficult challenge, but one made easier if done under one roof."