Fiber Optic Connectors in Military and Commercial Applications

January 2011 | | ID: F189E0005CEEN
Bishop & Associates, Inc

Abstracts

Bishop & Associates 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.

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?

Contents

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