CONSUMER ELECTRONICS: feeling the squeeze.

The article focuses on consumer electronics. There is an increased pressure among consumer-electronics design teams. This is due to global competition, low entry barriers to start-ups and emerging local wireless and media standards. According to Arun Mittal, senior vice president and general manager of the power-management and supply business unit of Infineon, there are two kinds of schedule pressure. He says in some cases the vendor is already present in the market enhancing the offering. However, in other cases, the customer is entering a new market area and must hit a particular window such as the Christmas gift-buying season. INSET: DRM LOOMS AS NIGHTMARE FOR DESIGNERS.