RF Test Equipment Market

RF Test Equipment Industry Analysis (2023 to 2033)

According to Persistence Market Research, the RF test equipment market is projected to reach US$ 3.1 billion by 2023. According to the report, the global market for RF test equipment is expected to reach US$ 6.5 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 7.8%.

The advancement of new telecommunications technology has led to the development of new products that can better transmit signal information. The enhanced capabilities of RF testers are driving demand for the RF tester market worldwide. Frequency testers have become essential in industries like automotive, energy, utilities, aerospace & defense, telecommunications, and energy.

Designing state-of-the-art wireless network equipment and components while meeting economies of scale and cost is a constant challenge for global and emerging wireless network equipment and component companies. Researchers are developing advanced versions of RF testers for satellite communication and radio frequency signals in order to eliminate faults. Scientists are focusing on developing RF testers that have precise control, energy, and accuracy, among other characteristics.

For instance, a new US$153 million expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport includes the installation of a state-of-the-art radio navigation system that can communicate with 200 airplanes at once. Currently, RGM International Airport handles 2.5 million passengers a year, but it will be able to handle up to 6 million once it becomes a regional aviation hub.

2018 to 2022 RF test equipment Market Outlook Compare to 2022-2033 Forecast

As per Persistence Market Research (PMR), RF test equipment sales grew at a CAGR of 4.5% between 2018 and 2022. Analysts predict a 7.8% growth in global sales between 2023 and 2033.

With the increasing demand for connectivity, RF devices have grown in demand at an explosive rate. Thus, the RF test equipment market has been experiencing an increase in demand.

The number of wireless communication users and services continues to grow, resulting in an ever-increasing demand. In addition, wireless communication traffic is shifting from voice to data, which requires faster data speeds. These factors are expected to grow the demand for RF test equipment in the market.

Manufacturers of test equipment are striving to offer affordable options without sacrificing performance. SMEs with limited budgets needing RF test equipment are most likely to benefit from this trend. Increasing data rates is being achieved through the use of new transmission methods, such as MIMO. The generation of RF test equipment is becoming more complex as it is developed, which presents challenges to test engineers.

Regulatory agencies require quality test equipment in order to approve devices based on the specifications and standards that they establish. In this process, measurements are made for parameters such as the output power, frequency accuracy, modulation quality, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Additionally, several industries are focusing on developing 5G-based testers across a wide range of regions.

Key Market Trends for RF Test Equipment Market

• Test equipment for smart devices can provide more advanced testing capabilities. The adoption of smart devices therefore leads to growth in the RF test equipment market.
• Increasing focus on connected devices and vehicle technologies to expand the market.
• Increasing investment in infrastructure deployment for 5G networks is expected to drive the market in the coming years.
• With the increasing demand for electronic devices among consumers, RF test equipment markets are experiencing high demand.
• Conformance and compliance testing have become more important since the introduction of new wireless standards and regulations has grown.
• A focus on cost-effective solutions is also increasing as advanced features and capabilities become more prevalent.
• Due to the growth of remote testing and automated testing sequences demand for software-defined and virtualized test solutions has grown in the market.
• Multiple test functions are increasingly being integrated into one instrument or platform. Streamlining the testing process, reducing equipment costs, and improving overall efficiency are all benefits of this integration.
• With the complexity of RF technologies increasing, test equipment manufacturers are developing advanced capabilities to meet consumer needs.
• With the rolling out of 5G networks around the world, there has been a large demand for RF test equipment that can cope with larger frequencies and complexities.

Country-wise Insights

How will the North American RF Test Equipment Market Grow?

Growth of the Consumer Electronics Industry and IoT Technologies to Contribute to Market Growth

North America is expected to dominate the RF test equipment market. According to PMR, the North American RF test equipment market will reach US$ 1.7 billion by 2033. As a major player in generating instruments and testing tools, North America is expected to contribute significantly to the global market.

Growing wireless communication, 5G investments, and advanced test and measurement solutions drive the growth of the market. Smartphones that conform to the most recent wireless standards account for their high adoption rates. Consumer electronics companies in the United States are significantly driving the market, as they are increasingly developing their own wireless signal testing equipment in the market.

Automotive and aerospace industries, which need RF test equipment constantly, have also seen an increase in demand for RF test equipment. With advancements in RF devices, a heightened incidence of chronic diseases, and increased healthcare expenditures, the market is expected to grow in the United States in the coming years.

Why is Asia Pacific Region Witnessing a Rise in Sales of RF Test Equipment?

Growth in the Telecom Sector to Push the Market for RF Test Equipment Sales

Projected Market Value (2033):

Projected CAGR (2023 to 2033):

Projected Market Value (2033):

Projected CAGR (2023 to 2033):

The Asia Pacific region is expected to dominate the global RF tester market for the forecast period. Telecommunications, aerospace, and defense sectors are growing rapidly, creating the potential for RF testers.

RF test equipment sales in Asia Pacific are expected to reach US$ 3.1 billion by 2033. A growing smartphone market and research and development activities will increase RF equipment demand.

Developing regions in the Asia Pacific such as China and India are increasing their spending on aerospace, defense, and telecommunications, which will drive the RF tester market in the region.

Increasing demand for LTE and 5G technologies is expected to drive market growth. A rapid increase in industrialization and automation is expected to substantially drive market growth. Chinese telecom operators, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), have deployed over 1.3 million 5G base stations in China. By November 2021, about 497 million people were using 5G in the country. Further increasing usage of RF components in 5G base stations is the integration of modems, routers, and antennas.

Category-wise Insights

Which RF Test Equipment Type is expected to expand Demand in Coming Years?

Oscilloscopes Type is Likely to Lead Market for RF Test Equipment Market

Based on RF test equipment type market is segmented into oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and others. Oscilloscope sales are expected to grow in the coming years. According to the forecast, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.6% by 2033.

A solid infrastructure and supporting technologies are necessary for the installation of technologies. Obtaining error-free transmission requires a high transmission power and modulation frequency. Oscilloscopes contribute to the quality of real-time signals. In addition to analyzing time-domain signals, they can also analyze frequency-domain signals, allowing them to be used for a wide variety of tests and measurements.

Having built-in spectrum analyzers and waveform generators combined with oscilloscopes, modern oscilloscopes have become highly versatile and capable of adapting to a variety of testing requirements, making them more responsive and useful. For instance, A new 2 Series Mixed Oscilloscope for Tektronix was launched in June 2022 for seamless transitions between the bench and the field. In addition to being extremely thin, the device is also highly portable.

Which Form Factor will lead the RF Test Equipment Market in the Future?

Benchtops will Dominate the Market in RF Test Equipment

Benchtop RF test equipment will dominate the market over the projected period. The technology has been widely adopted in various industries, including telecommunications, automotive, consumer electronics, and more. The benchtop market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% over the next few years. Compared to portable or modular devices, benchtop devices offer a bigger display, more features, and more accurate measurements.

Benchtop test equipment is widely used in laboratories and manufacturing plants where space isn't a problem and multiple instruments are needed for complex testing. As benchtop test equipment has advanced into portable and handheld instruments over the past few years, allowing wireless industries to benefit from the benchtop equipment's capabilities.

Both bench-top and portable test equipment manufacturers have begun integrating additional test functions into their products. The growing use of RFID technology and the demand for IoT devices are also anticipated to boost market growth. A growing need for advanced testing solutions and high-speed data transmission is also expected to drive market growth. As RF test equipment becomes more sophisticated and advanced testing solutions become more prevalent, demand is expected to increase for these products.

Competitive Landscape

RF tester manufacturers are continuously developing new products while also incorporating innovations and modifying existing products to meet the requirements of a range of applications such as expanding the frequency range, improving accuracy, and increasing variability. Vendors of RF test equipment also focus on increasing distribution centers and developing customer contacts as one of their key strategies.

RF test equipment manufacturers include Fortive, Rohde & Schwarz, Teradyne, National Instruments, Viavi Solutions, Chroma ATE, Good Will Instruments, Teledyne Technologies, Yokogawa Electric, and Anritsu

• In May 2023, Menlo Microsystems, Inc., a company responsible for creating the most significant advancement in electronic component technology since the transistor, has announced an update to the MM5140 DC-to-8 GHz SP4T switch specifications. Broadband wireless applications up to 8 GHz, including the ever-growing O-RAN frequency bands, are addressed by this product in the rapidly evolving 5G New Radio (NR) sub-6 GHz RF networks.
• In May 2023, a definitive agreement was entered into by Maury Microwave Inc., one of the top providers of RF calibration and measurement. Upon approval by Wireless Telecom Group shareholders and compliance with other closing conditions, the transaction should close in the third quarter of 2023. Radio frequency ("RF") and microwave technology can be pushed to new limits with WTT's technology portfolio.

RF Test Equipment Industry Report Scope

RF test equipment Market Outlook

By Type:

• Oscilloscopes
• Signal Generators
• Spectrum Analyzers
• Network Analyzers
• Others

By Form Factor:

• Benchtop
• Portable
• Modular

By Frequency:

• Less than 1 GHz
• 1 GHz to 6 GHz
• More than 6 GHz

By Application:

• Telecommunications
• Consumer Electronics
• Automotive
• Aerospace & Defense
• Industrial
• Medical
• Research & Education

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East and Africa

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