ElectroniCast: Variable optical attenuators to increase in popularity

FEBRUARY 27, 2009 -- ElectroniCast Consultants (search Lightwave for ElectroniCast) says that variable optical attenuators will increase their domination of attenuator sales through 2013. The prediction is part of a new market forecast and analysis report covering the global market consumption and technology trends of fiber-optic component/module type attenuators.

There are two main types of optical communication component attenuators: variable and fixed. Variable optical attenuators (manually controlled and electronically controlled VOAs) represented 68% of the worldwide consumption (use) value of fiber-optic component-type attenuators used in the selected optical communication applications in 2008. However, in 2013 VOAs are forecasted to increase to 77% of the relative market share.

"Network system planners can make adjustments for non-uniform signal power with amplifier/attenuator combinations," said Stephen Montgomery, president for Asia-Pacific at ElectroniCast Consultants and the director of the study program. "Through careful and calculated planning, network engineers can place attenuators within the optical system; thereby having the capability of balancing and fine-tuning individual channels to create an optimal link."

ElectroniCast Consultants' new report provides the historic year of 2008 and a five-year (2009-2013) forecast of the consumption of fixed (in-line and panel-mount/bulkhead) and variable (manually controlled and electronically controlled) optical attenuators, segmented into the following geographic regions: the Americas, EMEA, and APAC, plus Global summaries. The global forecast is also segmented into such application categories as telecommunications, private data networks, cable-TV, military/aerospace, and selected specialty applications.

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