The worldwide wireless LAN (WLAN) semiconductor market is expected to pass the 4 bln USD mark by 2012 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.8%. While PCs will remain the largest application segment for WLAN semiconductors, mobile phone applications will grow at a CAGR of 49.3% and become the second-largest category for WLAN semiconductor revenue by 2012. IDC expects the MIMO-enhanced 802.11n technology to be the next growth driver for this market as the higher throughput and range provide a great opportunity for new applications and usage models, according to IDC.