Optical Isolators Global Market Forecast

April 20, 2011 - PRLog -- Upper Lake, CA (USA) – April 21, 2010  -- ElectroniCast Consultants, a leading market research & technology forecast consultancy addressing the fiber optics communications industry, today announced the release of a new market forecast of the global consumption of optical isolators, used in communication applications.

Optical isolators are passive devices that allow light to be transmitted in only one direction. They are most often used to prevent any light from reflecting back down the optical fiber, as this light would enter the source and cause backscattering and feedback problems. This is especially important for high data rate transceivers and transponders, or those devices requiring long span lengths between transceiver pairs.

“Optical isolators are used in many applications in commercial, industrial, and laboratory settings.  They are reliable devices when used in conjunction with fiber optic amplifiers, fiber optic ring lasers, fiber optic links in CATV applications, and high-speed/ DWDM and coherent fiber optic communication systems, laboratory R&D, sensors, gyro-systems, test/instrumentation measurement quality assurance applications in automation of manufacturing processes,” said Stephen Montgomery, president of International Business and the director of the Fiber Optics Group at ElectroniCast.

“Single polarization fiber optic isolators are also used with laser diodes, gyroscopic systems, various optical modular interfaces; laser diode integrated optic modulator interfaces and a variety of other mechanical control applications,” Montgomery added.

According to ElectroniCast, the fiber optics industry is now observing an increase in the consumption of the transmitter/receiver optical communication links and other relative devices, which facilitate a strong environment for the use of optical isolators.  





The report provides the Consumption Value (US$, million), Quantity (number/units), and Average Selling Prices (ASP $, each).  The market data are segmented into the following geographic regions, plus a Global summary.  In 2011, the American region holds the lead in terms of relative market share consumption value of optical isolators; however the APAC region is forecast to increase at a faster rate in terms of annual growth (2010-2015), driven especially by aggressive fiber optic deployment plans in China through 2015.

The worldwide optical isolator consumption value is led by Telecommunication applications in 2011 and increasing at a strong annual pace of nearly 22% (2010-2015).  Optical isolators are not widely used in Private Enterprise applications, due to short link lengths and the use of LEDs T/R links and the increase use of VCSELs.  Yearly use of fiber optic isolators in Cable TV controlled devices/ deployments will also grow significantly, mainly driven by FTTH multi-media applications.

“Optical isolator units are used in a variety of Military/Aerospace applications requiring rigorous testing and harsh environment fiber optic (HEFO) certification to ensure reliability and performance.  Laser-based fiber optic technology incorporating optical isolators are used in a wide variety of air, sea, ground, and space applications,” Montgomery commented.

The optical isolators used in Specialty applications are often high-powered (>300 mW); therefore, these isolators have a price premium versus lower-power isolators.  Often these high-powered isolators are used for noise reduction, medical imaging, pulse selection for mode locked lasers, sensing, regeneration switches, disc master, optical trapping, phase shifters, frequency modulation spectroscopy and general shuttering. The optical isolators are also used in these and other specialty applications, such as sensing for industrial, structures and other many other communication product-oriented manufacturing/test/R&D uses.  (See Data Figure).

      
This market forecast report is available immediately (fees from $4,200-$5400) from ElectroniCast Consultants. For detailed information on this or other services provided by ElectroniCast, please contact Theresa Hosking, Marketing/Sales; thosking@electronicastconsultants.com  (Telephone/USA: 707/275-9397)

ElectroniCast Consultants – www.electronicastconsultants.com specializes in forecasting trends in communication networks and in the products used in those networks.  This includes technology forecasting, markets and applications forecasting, strategic planning and consulting. ElectroniCast Consultants, as a technology-based independent forecasting firm, serves industrial companies, trade associations, government agencies, communication and data network companies and the financial community.  Reduction of the risk of major investment decisions is the main benefit provided.  ElectroniCast Consultants’ goal is to understand the challenges and opportunities facing clients and to provide timely, accurate information for strategic planning.








According to ElectroniCast Consultants (www.electronicast.com), Telecommunication applications dominated the optical isolator market place in 2010.  ElectroniCast forecasts that aggressive telecom optical isolator use of 23% per year (2010-2015), as well as strong growth in other application segments, is creating an excellent opportunity for manufacturers of passive optical components.




Global Consumption Value Market Share (%)
Optical Isolators Used in Selected Communication, by Region
(2010)


Please contact thosking@electronicastconsultants.com for Figure.




            Source: ElectroniCast Consultants

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ElectroniCast Consulatants ( www.electronicastconsultants.com ) , a technology-based independent forecasting firm, specializes in forecasting trends in technology, markets and applications forecasting, strategic planning and consulting.