Testing & Measurement are crucial dynamics for any manufacturing process, more so with smart technology embedded in them. As the world speaks of smarter and more accurate technology, further spotlight is on the test and measurement market because efficiency will remain a function of testing, adjustments, and maintenance, notes Gaurav Bawa.
As product complexity increases with multiple output expectations from one product, and the product itself changes size to become more compact, precision testing is pertinent at every stage of the product lifecycle — starting from the product design and development phase, and moves to production testing, pre- and post-market testing, and later on, product maintenance and support. Thus, demand and growth of the test and measurement industry is an exponential function of expanding end-user applications and technological demand.
India is a hotbed for test and measurement equipment, given the major tech overhaul the country is going through in every sector, including start-ups or traditional industries. Led by changes and demand of emerging trends like green mobility, rapid urbanisation that is ushering in demand for Smart Appliances and 5G led telecom industry, coupled with government focus on smart transition to green energy, hi-tech manufacturing processes, health industry, communication tools and Smart transportation, the testing and measurement market is expected to experience unprecedented growth in India.
Where are we consuming precision T&M technology?
A study by Future Markets Insights indicated that the segment will experience a CAGR of 5.1% during the period 2022-2032. Frost & Sullivan, a market research firm, forecasts that the Indian market for general-purpose electronic T&M instruments alone has touched US$ 300 million by 2022. According to a report by Market Research Future (MRFR), the valuation of the worldwide test and measurement equipment market is expected to touch USD 28 billion by 2023. Enhanced adoption of electronic devices and increased penetration of modular instrumentation in every appliance used today depend on precision test and measurement tools. As the growth of the segment is registered by key end-user segments like telecom, automotive, aerospace and defence, electronics design and in a demand-driven scenario, the market is expected to boost forward in the near future.
Test and Measurement equipment are such an integral part of our life, that most of the time, we do not even register their importance or its role in making electronics smart and comfortable to fit in the digital era.
The automotive spin
The connected cars that the customers are contemplating will be fitted with a combination of electronics empowering seamless connectivity, automating speed, having infotainment to keep the driver busy, and providing smart information on traffic, roadways, amenities and re-fuelling stations. This entire exercise will need seamless data transmission and synchronisation to the road ahead for each car for safe travel. Bluetooth, cameras, radars, GPS connection and e–calling are some new areas in the automotive industry which require testing. A thought flitting on is a solar-empowered battery-driven car; a completely green vehicle free of pollution. However, that will need extensive test and measurement instruments to constantly monitor the fuel intake and battery efficiency.
Fifth-generation (5G) Network
Smart homes and uber lifestyle today demand that the rooms will reach the right temperature, be it air-conditioning or heating, before the person actually gets to the door. A Smartwatch or a Smartphone can perfectly satisfy the requirement. But what the remote control needs is to be perfectly synchronized through 5G networks. These networks need good quality, highly reliable T&M instruments to create, design, deploy, and maintain them. With the wireless applications increasing in range, the need for precision engineering is more in demand. Millimetre (mm) wave is the newest buzzword in the telecom industry and has created demand for a new type of T&M instrumentation.
Education & Social Sector
India, with its vast geography, has always struggled with accessible information, due to a large digital gap. With the government of India leveraging 5G technology to push inclusive growth, there will be an addition to the latest network infrastructure that can enable quality education and health to grassroot level, subsequently leading to basic inclusivity. This will essentially lead the Test and Measurement sector into research and development of 5G for interoperability related testing and products to secure the future digital social fabric of the country through open network.
Defence
Test and Measurement products will also play an important role in the defence and aerospace industry. Communication is crucial in this sector, with every type of security agency stepping up efforts to detect the presence of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in undesired spaces. This is possible by using a spectrum analyser. Many defence-specific materials need critical testing, which requires various T&M tools such as signal generators, power meters, spectrum analysers, vector network analysers (VNAs), and of course, long distance communication gear. As very pragmatically referred to, future wars will be electronics and technology based!
Government Push and Way Forward
The government’s push for BharatNet (Bharat Broadband), Digital India, smart cities, information highways, e-governance, India Stack are a few key projects which require extensive use of T&M as the crucial enablers for each of these are connectivity and precision data. Further demand is created by the steps taken for pan-India optical fibre cable installation and maintenance in the community antenna television (CATV) segment.
The government has mandated testing of many consumer goods, and a number of labs have been established under this programme. These are known as Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) labs.
The drive for environmental sustainability and the Carbon-neutral approach to value add will further drive the demand up for the test and measurement sector. The downside of such a huge demand is that the quality of products available in the market may not be up to standard in remote areas. While the test and measurement market is expected to see unprecedented, demand-led growth, it is important that there is enough awareness on quality products, regular maintenance, and the right fitment according to requirements.
About the author: Gaurav Bawa is Senior Vice President, WIKA India.
