The Company has just released a new 13-chapter research report exploring the rapidly evolving technology and interface components supporting data transmission via optical fiber. This report includes a tutorial addressing the basics of optical transmission, as well as a review of current and recently announced connectors offered by leading suppliers. Typical applications in both military and commercial are discussed.
 
 Fiber optic links offers nearly unlimited high-speed bandwidth, improved signal density and immunity to EMI, and crosstalk; all factors that are highly desirable in today’s advanced communications and computing equipment. Fiber strands the size of a hair can convey hundreds of high-speed signals replacing bulky and heavy copper cables. The ability to transmit signals many kilometers without amplification was immediately adopted by the telecom industry in long-haul applications, but wide market adoption in additional market segments has stumbled due primarily to cost.
 
 The immanent demise of copper has been predicted many times over the years, but a combination of advanced chip technology together with improvements in design for signal integrity has allowed engineers to find ways to expand the practical bandwidth of copper. Costs associated with the required electro-optic conversion process together with connectors that require skilled technicians to successfully terminate discouraged broad market conversion to fiber.
 
 As we reach system requirements for 10+ Gb/s channels, fiber is again gaining attention as a viable alternative. High-performance copper cable assembles suffer as length increases. Precision passive cable assemblies can improve performance, but add cost and are available from a limited supplier base. Active copper cables with integrated signaling conditioning features improve high-speed and distance characteristics but also add more cost as well as consume power. Fiber optic links are beginning to approach cost parity with copper in many applications.
 
 In addition to a variety of standard fiber optic connector types, manufacturers have introduced new products that provide system designers more options than ever before. Small form factor pluggable modules including SFP+ and QSFP+ enable the choice of copper or fiber I/O at any point from initial installation to future upgrades without modifying the equipment. Active optical cables mate with standard copper connectors on the I/O panel, but convert the signal to optical for transmission via fiber. Chapters in this report review both of these technologies and their implications on future system design.
 The expanding universe of fiber optic components is providing increased design flexibility to new as well as upgraded equipment.

 2009 Fiber Optic Connector Volume by Connector Type

Some of the issues addressed in this market research report include:
 
 1) What are the most popular standard fiber optic connectors currently available in the market today?
 2) What factors have delayed widespread implementation of fiber in computing and military applications?
 3) How do formal and defacto industry standards influence the selection of fiber optic links?
 4)What is the development status of true fiber optic backplane assemblies? Does market demand exist for optic backplanes in the foreseeable future?
 5) What progress has been made in the integration of fiber optic components on silicon chips (silicon photonics)?
 6) Who are the leading suppliers of fiber optic connectors? What products do they offer?
 7) At what distance and data rate does fiber links become a more practical choice over copper?
 8) Are active fiber cable assemblies a long-term solution to bandwidth and cable bulk problems?
 9) What requirements are driving renewed interest in fiber in military applications?
 10)Are fiber optic links viable today for “in-box” applications?
 11)Will RF over fiber become a significant market over the next 5 years?
 12)Which emerging markets or technologies may drive the future development of high-speed I/O links opening potentially new applications for fiber?

Chapter 1 Report Scope and Methodology
 Methodology and Approach
 Report Objectives
 Study Methodology
 Data Collection Forms
 
 Chapter 2 Introduction
 Introduction / History
 Optic Transmission Technology
 Basic Principals of Optical Transmission
 Optical Fiber Cable Technology
 Fiber Optic Cable Loss Characteristics
 Fiber Optic Connector Loss Characteristics
 Optical Connector Types
 Optic Connector Termination Process
 Optic Fiber Link Performance
 
 Chapter 3 Overview of Common Fiber Optic Connectors
 Military Fiber Optic Connector Types
 Commercial Datacom / Telecom Connectors
 Fiber Optic Adapters, Special Purpose Connectors
 
 Chapter 4 Optic Interconnect Industry Standards
 Military Applications
 Commercial Telecom / Datacom Applications
 
 Chapter 5 Pluggable Optical Modules
 Gigabit Interface Converter
 Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP)
 X-PAK, XenPak, XFP, X2
 QSFP
 SFP+
 CXP
 CFP
 
 Chapter 6 Active Optical Cables and Media Adapters
 Tyco Electronics
 Emcore, Luxtera, Amphenol, Finisar
 FCI Electronics, Siemon Interconnect Solutions
 Avago Technologies, Meritec
 Media Adapters, Converters, Fujitsu
 ProtoKraft
 
 Chapter 7 Fiber Optic Connector and Cable Assembly Suppliers
 Military Avionic / Harsh Environment Interfaces
 Amphenol
 Belden
 Corning
 Glenair
 ITT Interconnect Solutions
 Radiall
 Sabritec
 Souriau
 Delphi
 Huber+Suhner
 Tyco Electronics
 
 Commercial Telecom / Datacom Interfaces
 Amphenol
 Belden
 Corning
 Fujikura
 Huber+Suhner
 Leviton Network Solutions
 3M
 Molex
 Positronic Industries
 Rosenberger-ISI GmbH
 Stratos
 Tyco Electronics
 US Conec
 
 Fiber Optic Cable Assemblies
 ADC
 Corning
 Commscope
 Timbercon
 Sanmina-SCI
 
 Chapter 8 Fiber Optic Applications
 Fiber in Military Applications
 Fiber in Commercial Applications
 Additional Applications
 
 Chapter 9 Optical Backplane Connectors
 Optical Backplane Connectors
 Tyco LightRay MPX, LightPlane
 Amphenol TCS HD-Optyx,
 Molex BLC, BMTP,MTP-CPI
 Tyco VITA 66
 Amphenol Aerospace MBT
 Delphi Edgecard
 
 Chapter 10 The Copper or Fiber Decision
 Comparing Two Media
 Advantages/Disadvantages of fiber and copper Interconnects
 
 Chapter 11 Advances in Fiber Optic Technology
 Fiber Optic Cable
 Low Cost Optical Engines
 Silicon Nanophotonics
 Optical Backplanes
 Optochips
 Intel LightPeak
 RF over Fiber
 Unique Fiber Optic Applications
 Carbon Nanotubes
 INEMI Fiber Optic Roadmap
 
 Chapter 12 Market Statistics and Forecasts
 Introduction
 2008 & 2009 Fiber Optic Connector Volume by Region
 2009 Fiber Optic Connector % Growth by Region
 2008 & 2009 Fiber Optic Connector $ Volume by Connector Type
 2009 fiber Optic Connector Volume % by Connector Type
 2008 & 2009 Fiber Optic Connector $ Volume by Type & Region
 2009 & 2010 Fiber Optic Connector $ Volume by Region
 2009 & 2010 Fiber Optic Connector $ Volume by Connector Type
 2010 Fiber Optic % volume by Connector Type
 2009 & 2010 Fiber Optic Connector $ Volume by Type & Region
 2009 & 2014 Fiber Optic Connector $ Volume by Region w/ 5 year CAGR
 2014 Fiber Optic Connector CAGR by Region
 2009 & 2014 Fiber Optic Connector $ Volume by Type w/ 5 year CAGR
 2014 Fiber Optic Connector % Volume by Product Type
 2009-2014 Fiber Optic Connector $ Volume by Type & Region W/ CAGR
 2008 & 2009 Fiber Optic Cable Assembly $ Volume by Region
 2009 Fiber Optic Cable Assembly $ Volume & % by Region
 2009 & 2010 Fiber Optic Cable Assembly $ Volume by Region
 2009 & 2014 Fiber Optic Cable Assembly $ Volume by Region W/ CAGR
 2014 Fiber Optic Cable Assembly $ Volume By Region W/5 year CAGR
 
 Chapter 13 Major Findings and Conclusions
 Findings and Conclusions
 
 Appendix
 
 Terms and Definitions