In-Circuit Testing Market Size, Growth, Opportunities | 2031

Report Description

The global In-circuit testing market size was valued at USD 1.12 Billion in 2022 and is likely to reach USD 1.75 Billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period, 2023–2031. The market growth is attributed to its extensive use of in-circuit testing in consumer electronics and the automotive industry.

In-circuit testing is an excellent tool for detecting manufacturing defects in electronic circuits such as wrong or missing components, open connections, and solder shorts. These tests help inspect the integrated circuits with special probes that do not tamper or disturb the delicate workings of the PCB.

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Over the past few years, the requirement for in-circuit testing has significantly grown due to the increased manufacturing activities across industries to fulfill the growing demand for various electronic products from all over the world.

• As per the Consumer Technology Association, the consumer technology industry of the United States is expected to reach USD 505 bn in retail sales for the first time due to the growing demand for smartphones, streaming services, health devices, and automotive tech. This represents a 2.8% increment in revenue after the substantial growth of 9.6% in 2021 over 2020.

In-circuit testing (ICT) is a special type of method that is used to verify the integrity and functioning of electronic circuits and printed circuit boards (PCB). It helps manufacturers in determining whether their circuits and components meet the product specifications and quality standards. The in-circuit testing involves testing to check the electrical response of individual components by applying test signals to specific points on the PCB.

There are two types of in-circuit testing, bed-of-nails tester and flying probe. The bed-of-nails tester is a fixture that uses an arrangement of spring-loaded pins to check the electrical response in a circuit. When a PCB board is aligned with this tester and pressed, the pins make electrical contact at those locations and are used as test points of the circuit.

The flying probe, on the other hand, places less mechanical strain on the PCB being tested. While the bed-of-nails tester allows for several tests to be performed at a time, the flying probe has to be moved between the tests. Although, the use of a flying probe in-circuit testing, places much less strain on PCB, as compared to the bed-of-nails tester.

The in-circuit testing has numerous advantages including fast & efficient checking, high fault coverage, measurable outcomes, cost-effective functioning, and easy troubleshooting among others. It helps ensure compliance with quality standards & industrial regulations and helps with the delivery of quality products that are less prone to any defect.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the in-circuit testing market by impacting its end-use industries. The lockdown imposed by governments throughout the world resulted in constrained growth of businesses at all levels. This decreased production activities and halted the supply of electronic products. 

The restrained supply chain created a gap between the availability and product demand resulting in a deficit. However, with the functioning of the supply chain going back to normal, the market is expected to have steady growth again.

In-Circuit Testing Market Dynamics

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Major Drivers

An increase in the manufacture of consumer electronics is expected to drive the market during the projection period. Across industries there is a rise in quality standards and competing players, due to this, manufacturers are striving to create highly reliable and quality electronic products. The in-circuit testing ensures that all the electronic components and circuit boards are comprehensively tested to ensure optimum performance with minimal risks of defects.

Growing adoption of cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) is anticipated to boost the market. The in-circuit testing can help test and validate the complex architecture of cloud systems. The increasing implementation of cloud computing for smartphones and laptops is fuelling the need for rigorous testing and maintaining quality standards, which is expected to increase the demand for in-circuit testing.

• As per the report of Google Cloud, published in January 2023, around 41.4% of business leaders and tech firms plan on increasing their investments in cloud-based products and services owing to the changes in the current economic climate. Several organizations are retraining their existing staff or hiring new staff to improve the optimization of their cloud spend.

Existing Restraints

High cost associated with various in-circuit testing processes is projected to impede the market. The continuous advancements in technology lead to frequent updates and modifications in testing methods and equipment. Furthermore, the updated equipment needs to be used on a high volume of components and items as using them for small runs of 200 to 1000 items is not cost-effective.

Emerging Opportunities

Rising adaptation of in-circuit testing in various end-use industries is expected to generate new opportunities for the market. Industries such as automotive and consumer electronics are continuously striving for technological advancements to obtain a competitive edge with respect to other players in their industry.

For instance, the development of several consumer electronics such as smartphones, wearable devices, and smart home appliances requires effective in-circuit testing to meet evolving quality standards and provide optimal performance.

Scope of In-Circuit Testing Market Report

The In-Circuit Testing market report includes an assessment of the market, trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.

In-Circuit Testing Market Segment Insights

Type Segment Analysis

Based on type, the in-circuit testing market is divided into analog and mixed. The mixed segment is expected to expand at the major growth rate during the projection period due to its ability to test circuits that combine both, the analog as well as the digital components.

Several modern electronic systems use equipment such as mixed-signal integrated circuits, digital-to-analog converters, and analog-to-digital converters which require the integration of analog and digital functions. The extensive use of electronic components that employ mixed systems is likely to expand in the coming years owing to the rising production of smart electronics across industries.

The analog segment is expected to expand at a significant growth rate as analog testing is essential for ensuring the functionality and performance of various electronic components and circuits. Analog signals are still highly prevalent in many industries such as automotive, aerospace, and telecommunications.

Analog testing provides precise measurements and accurate analysis of analog signals. This makes it indispensable for quality control and product validation in these sectors.

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Probability Segment Analysis

On the basis of probability, the global market is segregated into compact and benchtop. The compact segment is projected to register substantial demand growth during the forecast period as it offers in-circuit testing solutions that are designed to be portable and lightweight. Their smaller size as compared to the traditional in-circuit testing systems makes them suitable to use in any environment.

Furthermore, compact in-circuit testing has additional features such as battery backup, an integrated display with a built-in user interface, and wireless connectivity. These features make them highly user-friendly, which is expected to increase their demand in various end-use industries.

The benchtop segment is projected to register a considerable CAGR during the forecast period as benchtop testers offer high accuracy and precision in measuring and analyzing electrical signals. This makes them highly reliable for testing circuit boards. Moreover, the availability of advanced features and customizable options provide the user with a wide range of comprehensive solutions, furthering its growth in the market.

Application Segment Analysis

On the basis of application, the in-circuit testing market is segmented into ICT, FCT, and Manufacturing Defect Analyzers (MDA). The FCT (Functional Circuit Testing) segment is anticipated to register a robust growth rate during the forecast period due to the increase in the requirement for functional testing as a necessity in most applications.

A system is not permitted to pass through the post-process stage without passing through the functional testing process in any industry. Furthermore, it assists with the easy detection of defects in a small period of time.

The MDA (Manufacturing Defects Analyzer) segment is anticipated to expand at a significant pace in the market owing to its comprehensive and efficient testing capabilities, which help in the detection of manufacturing defects in electronic components. Furthermore, MDA’s integration with advanced technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence enhances its performance and makes it a preferred choice for in-circuit testing applicators.

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End-user Segment Analysis

Based on end-user, the in-circuit testing market is divided into aerospace, consumer electronics, automotive, defense & government services, medical equipment, wireless communication, and others. The consumer electronics segment is expected to generate a major revenue share in the market owing to the extensive usage of in-circuit testing in the manufacturing process.

It is used to test and validate the electronic circuits found in all consumer electronic devices such as tablets, laptops, gaming consoles, wearable devices in sports, and smartphones, among others. It ensures seamless performance, functionality, and reliability of the device by ensuring that the device meets the specified performance criteria.

The automotive segment is projected to expand at a significant CAGR during the forecast period as in-circuit testing is employed at various stages of automobile manufacturing, such as testing, production, and assembly.

It also helps ensure that the vehicles are in compliance with the quality standards as well as the industry safety regulations. The in-circuit test equipment plays a crucial role in the automotive industry by helping it meet the evolving standards for quality, performance, innovation, and reliability.

Regional Analysis

In terms of region, the global in-circuit testing market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the market during the projection period due to the development of advanced electronic systems and increased manufacturing operations.

Moreover, several critical factors including increasing population and increasing per capita income of developing economies such as India and China have resulted in a growing demand for smartphones and smart household appliances. These factors are anticipated to increase the demand for in-circuit testing of devices in Asia Pacific. 

North America is projected to experience rapid market growth during the forecast period owing to its highly developed industrial infrastructure and superior manufacturing capacity. Furthermore, countries such as the United States make heavy investments in their electronic and defense systems which require rigorous planning, production, and in-circuit testing of components before the product can be made available for use. These factors along with the presence of several market players in this region are expected to boost the market.

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