In 2015, 40Gbps modulator use is forecast to represent nearly 41 percent of the worldwide relative market share (consumption value), according to a new market forecast by ElectroniCast Consultants.
The latest market forecast from ElectroniCast Consultants, a market research and technology forecast consultancy addressing the fiber-optics communications industry, studies the global market consumption and technology trends of external optical modulators, used in commercial communication transmission links.
According to ElectroniCast, the use of modulators in 40Gbps communication network links began to show measurable quantities in the year 2003, as chromatic dispersion and polarization mode dispersion problems were addressed. In 2015, 40Gbps modulator use is forecast to represent nearly 41 percent of the worldwide relative market share; yet, in terms of volume (number of units), the 10Gbps category will maintain the worldwide lead in relative market (2010-2015).
“Modulation technique is an important consideration in high-speed optical networks,” says Stephen Montgomery, president of International Business at ElectroniCast Consultants.” The uses of modulators with optical communication transmitters at rates of 10Gbps are forecast to maintain the lead in relative market for most of the forecast period. The consumption value of 40Gbps modulators in 2015 is forecast to edge into the leadership position, as the ‘other’ category, which includes 100Gbps, rapidly increases in consumption value.”
In this report, the optical modulator market is presented in two segments: Electro-Absorption (EA) types and Electro-Optical (E-O) types. In 2010, Electro-optical (EO) external modulators, used in commercial optical communication networks, held a 59 percent market share of global consumption value.
“The acceptance of Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3) as a material used in external amplitude and phase modulators results from its low optical loss and high electro-optic coefficient. Modulators used in the higher-price 40Gbps links; as well as higher data rates, such as 100Gbps, are forecast for dramatic growth. As the demand for bandwidth continues to increase, it will be necessary to deploy lower cost optical communication transmission links that are closer to the end user than ever before; therefore, the Electro-Absorption (EA) market share will maintain its lead, in terms of quantity volume/units, driven by the use of higher bandwidth applications by the residential (and business) end-users,” Montgomery adds.