Markets
MOBILE DEVICES
The Market for mobile devices is very large and very well defined. A technology license for mobile phones permits manufacturers to integrate QDA technology into their designs. Phone shipments are as follows:
| Year | Manufacturer | Worldwide Shipments |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Apple | 234,600,000 |
| 2023 | Samsung | 226,600,000 |
| 2023 | Xiaomi | 145,900,000 |
| 2023 | Oppo | 103,100,000 |
| 2023 | Transsision | 92,600,000 |
| 2023 | Vivo | 88,000,000 |
| 2023 | Motorola | 46,500,000 |
All mobile phones have one or more power amplifiers. These power amplifiers consume between 25 to 50% of mobile phone battery capacity. QDA technology should reduce that usage by a factor of 5.
In 2023 worldwide there were 8.6 billion mobile phones under subscription contracts. As mobile phones age they are replaced with newer models. In the USA, the replacement rate for smartphones is less than 3 years.
In addition to mobile phones there were 128 million tablets shipped in 2023 – all with power amplifiers.
BASE STATIONS
Worldwide estimates show 7 to 10 million base stations in use. A firm definition of a base station is elusive.
- mobile phone generations 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G range across base stations
- some 2G and 3G field base stations are being/have been replaced by 5 G installations
- some base stations use multiple generations of equipment simultaneously
- the definition of the size and scope of what constitutes a ‘base station’ is far from fixed.
Most telecommunication operators refer to a base station as a collection of several transceivers operating at one or more frequencies; some operators count each frequency as a different base station; China considers almost every G5 equipment as its own base station – considerably inflating the number of Chinese base stations. All things considered, 9 million bases stations is a fair number.
Next Generation Mobile Networks, in their 2021 Green Future Networks – Network Energy Efficiency Version 1.1, 07-December-2021 cites base station power consumption information for 5G base stations summarized in the pie chart below.
The 5G Base Stations are a portion of the world’s 7 to 10 million base stations. Worldwide the electricity costs for operating 9 million base stations are over $ 52 Billion dollars. Of that amount, $ 22 billion dollars are going to feed power amplifiers. 90% of this power amplifier electricity is wasted as heat.
Worldwide QDA technology could reduce $10 billion dollars from that cost.
SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
QDA can be employed in existing telecommunication systems as well as Satellite Communications, both at ground and space segments. QDA combines broadband support with both low complexity and high energy efficiency of signal power amplification making it quite suitable for high throughput data links, such as UAVs-satellite uplinks.
There are approximately 10,000 orbiting operating satellites. QDA technology could be used to great benefit in many new satellites helping to conserve precious space power budgets. QDA is not appropriate for every satellite as it depends on the modulation scheme used in the satellite’s communications.
COMPONENT MARKETS
Radio Frequency (RF) Semiconductor Chips are devices used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals. Found in wireless communication systems such as mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers, satellite communication devices, and automotive radar systems, they are proliferating. Allied Market Research reports that the global RF semiconductor market was valued at $18.9 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach $39.6 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% from 2022 to 2031.
The driving forces for this growth are the increasing demand for wireless communication devices and the advancements in technologies such as 5G and Internet of Things (IoT).
Growing demand for higher-speed data transfer, more effective and efficient power management features in devices, and improved network coverage, continue to fuel demand for RF Semiconductor Chips.
The automotive industry is also adopting RF Semiconductor Chips for applications such as automotive radar systems, autonomous vehicles, as well as connected car technologies.
A number of firms are active in this area including: Qualcomm (2023 Revenue 35 billion), Broadcom Inc (2023 Revenue 35 billion), Skyworks (2023 Revenue 4.77 Billion), and Qorvo (2023 Revenue 3.5 Billion).
COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY
More Mobile devices are being used more. Last year, 63% of all online job applications were submitted by phone as opposed to online computers. In 2023 there were 10 billion desktop webpage visits, and 40 billion mobile phone website visits. All that mobile phone usage is going to create security gaps.
Mobile security is a growing area and concern. In Version’s 2022 Mobile Security Report it states that 45% of companies surveyed experienced security compromises in mobile phone devices in the past 12 months.
Even Homeland security offers advice as to how to properly secure your mobile phone. https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/training/how-communicate-securely-your-mobile-device
There are a number of firms participating in the security offerings for mobile phones, including: Absolute, Check Point, IBM, Ivanti, Jamf, Lookout, Netskope, Proofpoint, and Thales.
QDAcomm has some unique capabilities to offer regarding communications security, but discussion of those capabilities cannot occur until after the 2 to 3 patents in this area have been properly filed.
