All Optical Array for Marine Based Oil & Gas Operations

US Seismic Systems, an Acorn Energy Company, Ships All Optical Array for Marine Based Oil & Gas Operations

Chatsworth, CA (June 29, 2012) ‐ US Seismic Systems, Inc., an Acorn Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACFN) company, today announced that it has built and shipped an Ultra High Sensitivity fiber‐optic based marine seismic array for oil & gas exploration.

The system was purchased by an international service provider and is intended for use as a marine array to aid in the collection and interpretation of data in the hostile environment of deep sea oil and gas operations.
"Taking this cutting edge technology from R & D to order fulfillment is an exciting series of events for any company and Acorn Energy has given us all the tools necessary to make this happen," said Jim Andersen, President of USSI. "The oil & gas industry continues to adopt new technology to meet the world's increasing demand for energy and by deploying our cutting edge technology they now
have one more arrow in their quiver."

The contract, valued at over $800K, is the first completion of a cycle that starts with testing, evaluating and finally sales and shipment. USSI is moving forward upon this identical cycle with a number of its customers.

About Acorn Energy, Inc.

Acorn Energy, Inc. is a holding company focused on making energy better by providing digital solutions for energy infrastructure asset management. The four businesses in which we have controlling interests, improve the world's energy infrastructure by making it: more secure - providing security solutions for underwater energy infrastructure (DSIT); more reliable - providing condition-based monitoring to critical assets on the electric grid (GridSense, OmniMetrix) and more productive and efficient - increasing oil and gas production while lowering costs through use of permanent ultra-high sensitive seismic tools that allow for a more precise picture of reservoirs (US Seismic). For more information visit: http://www.acornenergy.com . 

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. There is no assurance that Acorn Energy, Inc. or its operating companies will continue to grow their respective businesses, or that any of them will meet the expectations or execute the initiatives described or referred to above. A complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties which may affect Acorn Energy's business generally and the businesses of its subsidiaries is included in "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its 2012 First Quarter 10-Q as filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

Source Link:  http://www.acornenergy.com/rsc/articles/news-368.pdf

Telefonica FTTH connections in Madrid

Telefonica and the Madrid City Council (Ayuntamiento de Madrid) recently launched a fiber-optic deployment project. The initiative will see the deployment of FTTH connection across 1.3 million households and businesses across the capital by the end of 2012. 

 

Subscribers will be able to access internet connection speeds of up to 100 Mbps. Telefonica plans to invest over EUR 200 million in this project, Cinco Dias reports. 

 

Telefonica's fiber-optic network currently covers the districts of Hortaleza, Arganzuela, Moncloa-Aravaca and Fuencarral-El Pardo. By year-end, the network will be extended to cover 80 percent of households and businesses in Madrid, and to 100 percent by 2015. 

 

 

Fiber Optic Industry Monthly Reports - ElectroniCast Consultants

The monthly report provides summaries from recent ElectroniCast market/technology analysis, as well as several industry news items of interest…

Published:       Last week of each month

Text Pages:     Typically 20-30 pages

Deliver:            PDF File via E-Mail

Fee:                $1,200 per year (12-issues)

Note: Only one PDF file will be sent to the individual client; however, clients may forward (e-mail) copies to other individuals within their own company/organization.

Typical Outline:

(1)   ElectroniCast – Fiber Optic Oriented Market and Technology Overview (5-8 pages)

(2)   ElectroniCast – Fiber Optic Oriented Market and Technology Overview (5-8 pages)

(3)   Fiber Optic Industry News (10-15 pages)

a.      Venture Capital or Financial News

b.      New Products

c.      Fiber Optic Deployment/Installations

d.      Technology News

About ElectroniCast

ElectroniCast Consultants 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's goal is to understand the challenges and opportunities facing clients and to provide timely, accurate information for strategic planning.

Fiber Optic Connector/Mechanical Splice Market Forecast

NEWS RELEASE                           

ElectroniCast Consultants                                   

Fiber Optic Connector/Mechanical Splice Market Forecast

According to ElectroniCast, fiber optic connectors used the American and EMEA regions are forecast for negative consumption value movement this year (2012); however, recovering in 2013 and beyond…

Upper Lake, CA (USA) – June 28, 2012  -- ElectroniCast Consultants, a leading market & technology forecast consultancy addressing the fiber optics communications industry, today announced the release of their annual market forecast and analysis of the use of fiber optic connectors and mechanical splices in communication applications.  The 2011-2016 market analysis and forecast is presented for each significant type of fiber optic connector and mechanical splice used in selected communication applications.

Volume set to Double (2x)              According to ElectroniCast, the number of fiber optic connectors and mechanical splices reached 703 million units in 2011.  In the year 2016, the worldwide consumption volume is forecast to increase by a factor of 2-times (2x), reaching over 1.57 billion units.

The American region (North America, Central and South America) led in global market share with 54% in 2011.  American consumption is forecast to expand to at an average annual growth rate of 10.8% during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific (APAC) region is forecast to show the fastest growth with an average annual growth rate of 25 percent (2011-2016).  EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) fiber optic connector volume consumption, with 19.5 percent relative market share, trailed the second-place APAC (Asia Pacific) region in 2011.

“Unlike the Asia Pacific region, due to a market situation in mainly the Private Enterprise and Telecommunications end-user sectors, both the American and EMEA regions are forecast for negative consumption value this year (2012); however, recovering in 2013 and beyond,” said Stephen Montgomery, Director of the Fiber Optic Component group at ElectroniCast. 

“As optical fiber use migrates closer and closer to the end user, where cable lengths are shorter with higher fiber counts, the requirements for jointing fibers becomes more critical.  Fiber optic connectors (and mechanical splices) play a significant role in a network’s cost and performance and they are increasingly used in applications where flexibility for routing or reconfiguring is necessary,” Montgomery said. 

This report is available immediately from ElectroniCast Consultants.  For detailed information on this or other services provided by ElectroniCast, please contact Theresa Hosking, Director of 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, the global fiber optic connector and mechanical splice consumption in 2011 reached 703 million units; forecast to reach 1.57 billion units in 2016…

Fiber Optic Connector & Mechanical Splice Market Forecast (2011-2016)

ElectroniCast Consultants                                     

Published:                   June 27, 2012

Fee:                             $4,950

Text Pages:                 350 – PDF

Excel File:                   Extensive market forecast database spreadsheets

PowerPoint File:          Summary Data Figures

Contact:                      stephen_montgomery@electronicastconsultants.com

Web:                           www.electronicast.com

The consumption for fiber optic connectors has experienced impressive growth since ElectroniCast first started providing market and technology analysis of the subject since the early 1980s.  In fact their analysts have been tracking the various fiber optic components since 1976.

Global Market Review and Forecast (2011-2016)      The global fiber optic connector/ mechanical splice consumption is driven by a dramatic increase in bandwidth demand beyond the limits of copper. Technological advances in fiber optics are assuring the migration of fiber closer and closer to the end user. This translates into demand for shorter links where connectors represent a substantial share of the total installation cost. The cost concerns are being addressed with the introduction of smaller, lower cost and easier to install connectors. Multifiber connector (>2 fibers) use, still relatively small, will be the choice for high fiber density interconnects applications.

This report provides the Consumption Value (US$, million), Quantity (number/units), and Average Selling Prices (ASP $, each). The value is determined by multiplying the number of units by the average selling price. The ASPs are based on the price of the connector/splice at the initial factory level.  This 2011-2016 market analysis and forecast is presented for each significant fiber optic connector and mechanical splice used in selected communication applications.  The market data covers fiber optic connectors and mechanical splices, which are used in optical communication applications.  The market data are segmented into the following geographic regions, plus a Global summary:

-           America (North America, Central and South America)

-           EMEA (Europe, Middle Eastern countries, plus Africa)

-           APAC (Asia Pacific)

The market forecast data are also built up from specific product-type segments:

            Single Mode Fiber Optic Connector

                        ST Simplex

                        FC Simplex

                        SC Simplex

                        Small Form Factor (SFF) Simplex Connector

                                    SFF LC Simplex

                                    SFF MU Simplex

                                    SFF Other Simplex

                        Single mode Adapter

                                    In-series Adapter

                                    Between-series Adapter

                        Single mode Multi-channel/Multi-fiber Connector

                                    MT Based

                                    SFF Duplex Connector

                                                SFF Duplex MT-RJ

                                                SFF Other Duplex

                                    Other Multi-fiber Connector

                        Other Single mode Fiber Optic Connectors, including Mil-Spec

            Multimode Fiber Optic Connectors

                        ST Simplex

                        SC Simplex

                        Small Form Factor (SFF) Simplex Connector

                                    SFF LC Simplex

                                    SFF MU Simplex

                                    SFF Other Simplex

                        Adapter

                                    In-series Adapter

                                    Between-series Adapter

                        Multi-channel/Multi-fiber Connector

                                    ESCON

                                    MT Based

                                    FDDI

                                    SFF Duplex Connector

                                                SFF Duplex MT-RJ

                                                SFF VF-45 Duplex

                                                SFF Other Duplex

                                    Other Multi-fiber Connector

                        Other Multimode Fiber Optic Connectors, including Mil-Spec

            Mechanical Splices

The market forecast data are built up from specific end-user applications:

Total Consumption

                                                Telecommunications

                                                            Apparatus

                                                            Utilities

                                                            Modules/Components

                                                Private Data LAN/WAN

                                                            Apparatus

                                                            Modules/Components

                                                Cable TV

                                                            Apparatus

                                                            Modules/Components

                                                Military/Aerospace

                                                Specialty

                                                Non-production

MPO Connectors in 40/100GbE This report also provides the ElectroniCast forecast of North American consumption trends of MPO fiber optic connectors specifically in 40/100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) networks, based on the IEEE standard, which was ratified on June 17, 2010.   This 2010-2015 MPO 40/100GbE forecast of North American consumption is presented for each of the following data rate, connector fiber count and media type:

40G Ethernet Network - MPO

                                    12-fiber Multimode Connector

                                    24-fiber Multimode Connector

12-fiber Single mode Connector

                                    24-fiber Single mode Connector

100G Ethernet Network - MPO

                                    12-fiber Multimode Connector

                                    24-fiber Multimode Connector

12-fiber Single mode Connector

                                    24-fiber Single mode Connector

The market data is detailed by the following Functions:

• Consumption (use) Value (US$, Million)
• Quantity/Volume (Thousand/Units)
• Average Selling Price (ASP – US$, Each)

About ElectroniCast          ElectroniCast, founded in 1981, 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's goal is to understand the challenges and opportunities facing clients and to provide timely, accurate information for strategic planning.

Director of Study    Stephen Montgomery, MBA/Technology Management, President – International Business Expansion at ElectroniCast Consultants.  He joined ElectroniCast in 1990 and has specialized in photonics and fiber optic components market & technology forecasting at ElectroniCast for over 20-years.  He has given numerous presentations and published a number of articles on optical communication markets, technology, applications and installations. He is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of LIGHTWAVE magazine (PennWell Publishing) and writes a monthly article covering the optical communication industry for OPTCOM Magazine in Japan (Kogyo Tsushin Co., Ltd.). 

 

AFL Expands into the Netherlands

To expand its European presence, fiber optic cable manufacturer AFL has partnered with Netherlands-based Systicom Solutions to distribute its products.

“By partnering with Systicom Solutions, AFL is able to expand our presence into additional European countries and provide fiber optic solutions to enhance communications,” said Steve Maederer, commercial director for AFL.

AFL’s fiber optic cable products include the SkyWrap, all-dielectric self-supporting cable (ADSS) and optical ground wires manufactured in its Swindon facility. In 2010, AFL opened a new fiber optic facility to support the European region with customized optical fiber interconnect cables, and in 2011, it acquired TCC Group to provide communications services to the European market.

Systicom Solutions offers FTTx cables and accessories, specialized telecom cables and solution-based engineering to serve the oil and gas, power utilities and renewable energies industries.

For more information, visit: www.aflglobal.com

Samsung To Buy SEHF Korea

 Samsung To Buy SEHF Korea For KRW 104.99 Billion

(RTTNews.com) - Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (SSNLF.PK, SSNNF.PK) on June 26 (2012) said it has decided to purchase 100 percent stake in its sub-subsidiary SEHF Korea from its overseas subsidiary Samsung Electronics Hainan Fiber Optics or SEHF to improve business competitiveness by fostering synergy.
The firm is buying 379,440 shares for around 104.99 billion Korean won. The planned transaction date is September 10.

Scientists Twist Light to Send Data

 Transmitting data using twisted beams of light at ultra-high speeds – up to 2.56 terabits per second

Released: 6/25/2012 1:00 PM EDT
Source: University of Southern California

Newswise — A multi-national team led by USC with researchers hailing from the U.S., China, Pakistan and Israel has developed a system of transmitting data using twisted beams of light at ultra-high speeds – up to 2.56 terabits per second.

To put that in perspective, broadband cable (which you probably used to download this) supports up to about 30 megabits per second. The twisted-light system transmits more than 85,000 times more data per second.

Their work might be used to build high-speed satellite communication links, short free-space terrestrial links, or potentially be adapted for use in the fiber optic cables that are used by some Internet service providers.

“You’re able to do things with light that you can’t do with electricity,” said Alan Willner, electrical engineering professor at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering and the corresponding author of an article about the research that was published in Nature Photonics on June 24. “That’s the beauty of light; it’s a bunch of photons that can be manipulated in many different ways at very high speed.”

Willner and his colleagues used beam-twisting “phase holograms” to manipulate eight beams of light so that each one twisted in a DNA-like helical shape as it propagated in free space. Each of the beams had its own individual twist and can be encoded with “1” and “0” data bits, making each an independent data stream – much like separate channels on your radio.

Their demonstration transmitted the data over open space in a lab, attempting to simulate the sort of communications that might occur between satellites in space. Among the next steps for the research field will be to advance how it could be adapted for use in fiber optics, like those frequently used to transmit data over the Internet.

The team’s work builds on research done by Leslie Allen, Anton Zeilinger, Miles Padgett and their colleagues at several European universities.

“We didn’t invent the twisting of light, but we took the concept and ramped it up to a terabit-per-second,” Willner said. His team included Jian Wang, Jeng-Yuan Yang, Irfan M. Fazal, Nisar Ahmed, Yan Yan, Hao Huang, Yongxiong Ren and Yang Yue from USC; Samuel Dolinar from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory; and Moshe Tur from Tel Aviv University.

Wang, the lead author, left USC after completing this research and is now a professor at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China.

This research was funded by the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under the InPho (Information in a Photon) program.

 Source: The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Southern California, via Newswise.

Source Link:  http://www.newswise.com/articles/scientists-twist-light-to-send-data

OTDR Multi Field Testers

Yokogawa Meters & Instruments Corporation announces that it will release the AQ1200E,
AQ1205A, AQ1205E, and AQ1205F multi field testers in markets other than Japan on June
29. These are new additions to the AQ1200 OTDR*1 series of multi field testers, which are
used to test the physical condition of fiber-optic telecommunications networks.

Featuring high performance and easy handling, our AQ1200 OTDR series multi field testers
are compact, lightweight, and moderately-priced, with all the functions needed in the field.
Among the new models announced today, the AQ1200E, AQ1205E, and AQ1205F each
support three different wavelengths, so that even a single unit can cover installation and
maintenance work for an entire access network (a network between the station and
subscribers). The AQ1205A, AQ1205E, and AQ1205F also feature a wide dynamic range*2
and enhanced waveform quality, ensuring accurate measurements with fiber-optic
communication networks that have a large-port-count optical splitting device with a high
insertion loss.

About Yokogawa
Yokogawa's global network of 25 manufacturing facilities and 80 companies spans 54
countries. Since its founding in 1915, the US$3 billion company has been engaged in
cutting-edge research and innovation, securing more than 7,200 patents and registrations,
including the world's first digital sensors for flow and pressure measurement. Industrial
automation and control, test and measurement, information systems and industry support are
the core businesses of Yokogawa. For more information about Yokogawa, please visit our
web site at www.yokogawa.com

Free space optical communication: Slide Presentation

Free space optical communication 
 by Ahmed El-Sayed | SlideShare

Introduction to Free space Optics and Applications.







Click Link: www.slideshare.net/XJM6Q/free-space-optical-communication  
SlideShare

Fiber Optic Mechanical Splice Technology

AFL is the recipient of a patent for its mechanical splice technology. The patent was awarded to Patrick Dobbins, director of training and certification for AFL. This patent comprises new technology that eliminates the need for a special tool or fixture to open and close the elastomeric alignment groove that allows the cleaned and cleaved fibers to be properly positioned to facilitate a low loss mechanical splice. The splice itself has a fixture built into the mechanical splice, and is removed and disposed of when the splice is complete.

Dobbins has 32 years of professional fiber optic/telecommunications experience including system design, network design, engineering, construction, technical sales, product manufacturing, applications engineering and commercial management. Dobbins has held a wide variety of leadership roles at AFL over his 20-year tenure with the company. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Southern University.

AFL has received several patents since it was incorporated in Duncan, South Carolina, in 1984. This is Dobbins' second patent while with AFL.

For additional information on AFL and its products, visit www.AFLglobal.com.


About AFL
AFL provides industry-leading products and services to the electric utility, broadband, communications, OEM, enterprise, wireless and transit rail markets as well as the emerging markets of oil and gas, mining, nuclear, avionics, medical, renewable and intelligent grid. The company's diverse product portfolio includes fiber optic cable, transmission and substation accessories, outside plant equipment, connectors, fusion splicers, test equipment and training. AFL's service portfolio includes market-leading positions with the foremost communications companies supporting inside plant central office, EF&I, outside plant, enterprise and wireless areas.

Founded in 1984, AFL is proud to offer engineering expertise, exceptional products and reliable service that help our customers improve their critical and electrical infrastructure. AFL has operations in the U.S., Mexico, Europe and Asia. The company is headquartered in Spartanburg, SC, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujikura Ltd. of Japan. For more information, visit www.AFLglobal.com.

AFL: South Africa Project

AFL, a leading manufacturer of fibre optic cable for power utilities, has secured a major contract with Eskom of South Africa, to supply and complete end-to-end communication systems, together with installation of the system, supervision and the final testing and commissioning.

As a key manufacturer of Optical Ground Wire (OPGW), AFL is to supply OPGW and associated accessories by sourcing the complete system from one supplier. AFL will also be responsible for the installation of OPGW on green field sites as well as retrofitting existing overhead lines with the OPGW system.

"AFL has extensive experience and capabilities on complex projects like this," said Steve Maederer, commercial director for AFL. "We have been able to demonstrate that we can provide a complete end-to-end solution whilst maintaining the highest quality standards set by Eskom."

The contract covers both the Transmission and Distribution part of the Eskom business, and therefore, projects will be taking place across South Africa. During the execution of the individually awarded projects, AFL will work with the local South African workforce, and as a result of this, AFL will be passing on its wide ranging skills to the employees of local installation companies.

Eskom estimates that over the contract's five-year duration that up to 11,000 km of OPGW may be required to accommodate the new routes planned. "The communication routes that will be built over the coming years are for solely our own use in the control and protection of substations based around the South African countryside," stated a spokesperson for Eskom. "AFL's superior experience and ability to supply complete OPGW solutions is the primary reason we chose them for this project."

Photo (left to right): Steve Broadway, Regional Sales Manager/AFL; Robert Dyani, Purchasing Manager/Eskom; Moalosi Borotho, Commodities Manager/Eskom; and George Hoeg, Managing Director/AFL Germany.


About AFL
AFL provides industry-leading products and services to the electric utility, broadband, communications, OEM, enterprise, wireless and transit rail markets as well as the emerging markets of oil and gas, mining, nuclear, avionics, medical, renewable and intelligent grid. The company's diverse product portfolio includes fibre optic cable, transmission and substation accessories, outside plant equipment, connectors, fusion splicers, test equipment and training. AFL's service portfolio includes market-leading positions with the foremost communications companies supporting inside plant central office, EF&I, outside plant, enterprise and wireless areas.

Founded in 1984, AFL is proud to offer engineering expertise, exceptional products and reliable service that help our customers improve their critical and electrical infrastructure. AFL has operations in the U.S., Mexico, Europe and Asia. The company is headquartered in Spartanburg, SC, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujikura Ltd. of Japan. For more information, visit www.AFLglobal.com.

About Eskom
Eskom generates approximately 95% of the electricity used in South Africa and approximately 45% of the electricity used in Africa. Eskom generates, transmits and distributes electricity to industrial, mining, commercial, agricultural and residential customers and redistributors. Additional power stations and major power lines are being built to meet rising electricity demand in South Africa. For more information, visit www.eskom.co.za.

OTDRs: access, point-to-point, FTTA/DAS, metro, CWDM and long-haul networks

QUEBEC CITY, QC, June 21, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - EXFO Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO) (TSX: EXF) announced today the addition of the revolutionary iOLM technology to its market-leading FTB series OTDR modules. Originally developed for the challenging FTTH/PON fiber test environment, iOLM technology now extends its realm of fiber/cable testing applications to more common architectures, such as access, point-to-point, FTTA/DAS, metro, CWDM and long-haul networks. Having the groundbreaking iOLM on their OTDRs will enable network operators to eliminate complex OTDR trace interpretation and human errors from their network testing cycles. 

Using an automated multipulse acquisition approach and advanced algorithms, the iOLM is an OTDR-based software application that delivers detailed information on every element on the link, in a single button operation, providing maximum intelligence and simplicity for expert-level link characterization. Powered by Link-Aware™ technology, the EXFO proprietary iOLM self-manages the setting of all test parameters, requiring virtually no training for technicians of any skill level. 

Now offered on the FTB-7300 and FTB-7400 OTDRs, the iOLM application can be combined with various advanced test functionalities—CD, PMD, WDM-Aware, EtherSAM, SONET/SDH, Ethernet, etc.—inside EXFO's FTB Ecosystem platforms, including the popular FTB-200 Compact Platform. Since its first release about a year ago, EXFO's iOLM has been extremely well-received by the market, as it is already being used in 60 countries around the world and currently undergoing numerous field trials with major operators. EXFO intends to develop additional targeted features for the iOLM to address the needs of even more customers in multiple applications. 

"With over 25 000 FTB-7000 series OTDRs in the field and a market share of more than 49%, EXFO is the household name in OTDRs. The iOLM adoption rate by our customers has been impressive as they quickly see the benefits of significantly stepping up their operational efficiency at all levels of their business," said Étienne Gagnon, Vice-President of EXFO's Test and Measurement Division and Corporate Marketing. "With a fully automated, self-setting approach and simple pass/fail results displayed in a straightforward link view, the iOLM application is a clear game-changer for network operators." 

 

About EXFO
Listed on the NASDAQ and TSX stock exchanges, EXFO is among the leading providers of next-generation test and service assurance solutions for wireline and wireless network operators and equipment manufacturers in the global telecommunications industry. The company offers innovative solutions for the development, installation, management and maintenance of converged, IP fixed and mobile networks—from the core to the edge. Key technologies supported include 3G, 4G/LTE, IMS, Ethernet, OTN, FTTx, VDSL2, ADSL2+ and various optical technologies accounting for an estimated 35% of the portable fiber-optic test market. EXFO has a staff of approximately 1800 people in 25 countries, supporting more than 2000 telecom customers worldwide. 

EXFO Brand Name
The corporate name of the company is EXFO Inc. The company requests that all media outlets and publications use the corporate name ("EXFO Inc.") or abbreviated name ("EXFO") in capital letters for branding purposes. EXFO would like to thank all parties in advance for their cooperation.

 

www.EXFO.com.

VCSEL-Based: High Speed Interconnects in Consumer Application

 SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 13, 2012-- GigOptix, Inc. (NYSE MKT:GIG), a leading fabless supplier of semiconductor and optical components that enable high speed information streaming, today announced that its high speed optical driver and receiver HXR/T4104 chipset is being utilized by a leading consumer electronics manufacturer in their high speed data interconnect module used for High Definition (HD) TV and next generation HD information transfer. The devices enable much higher data transfer rates over longer distances and at lower costs compared with competing technologies.

The optical module is current employed in a high definition camera and the application is pushing the technology envelope from HD TV at 3.7Gbps to next generation HD transfer speeds beyond 40Gbps that will enable increases of 4 times the frame rate and support multi-view HD 3D imaging. The consumer electronics manufacturer has for the first time enabled a mass production technology for VCSEL based optical interconnect modules by eliminating the need for lenses to couple the fiber to the VCSEL. This was enabled by the development of a new assembly technology that connects the optical fiber with the VCSEL using a silicon interposer that enables the fully automated assembly of the module. The resulting module is capable of transmitting data at up to 40Gbps and this not only provides much higher data rates over longer distances but also is more cost competitive compared to existing copper interconnect solutions.

GigOptix’s HXR/T4104 chipset comprises the HXT4104 4x10.3Gb/s parallel VCSEL driver and the HXR4104 4x10.3Gb/s parallel limiting TIA. These two devices address 40Gbps active cable and consumer applications. The HXR/T4104 chipset simplifies system design by being fully programmable via an industry standard 2-wire interface. This provides full control of signal peaking, modulation and average currents in addition to providing access to temperature and output power monitoring on a channel by channel basis.

“We are thrilled to see deployment of our optical driver and receiver technology moving into high volume applications,” commented Andrea Betti-Berutto, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of GigOptix. “Increasing amounts of data are used in modern consumer applications and legacy copper based interconnects are being challenged to transfer data at the speeds and at the low power being demanded by consumer applications. Optical communication has been adopted by both telecom and datacom markets since it inherently transfers data faster and with lower power compared to copper-based communication. Optical communication has been less attractive for consumer applications to date due to the higher manufacturing costs. We are very excited to see a leading consumer electronics player solve this issue and enable optical communications in consumer applications.”

For more information, please contact your local sales manager via sales@gigoptix.com.

About GigOptix, Inc.
GigOptix is a leading supplier of semiconductor and optical components that enable high speed information streaming and address emerging high growth opportunities in the communications, industrial, defense and avionics industries. The Company offers a unique broad portfolio of Drivers, TIAs and TFPS^TM optical modulators for 40G, 100G and 400G fiber-optic telecommunications and data-communications networks, and high performance MMIC solutions that enable next generation wireless microwave systems up to 90GHz. GigOptix also offers a wide range of ASIC solutions through its ChipX product line.

Fujitsu Makes 100 Gbps DWDM Transmission (Fiber Optic) Tokyo and Osaka

- A first in Japan and a step toward commercial deployment of 100 Gbps

digital coherent optical transmission technology -

Tokyo, June 21, 2012 - Fujitsu today announced that it has worked with
NTT Communications Corporation to conduct a successful test of 100 Gbps
DWDM transmission using an advanced optical transmission technology
called "digital coherent transmission"(1) over a commercial fiber-optic
cable between Tokyo and Osaka, Japan's most heavily trafficked
communications corridor.

Having confirmed commercial-grade transmission quality, Fujitsu plans
to actively move forward with network construction using 100 Gbps DWDM
systems.

<1. Background>
With the spread of cloud services and the rapid uptake in smartphones
using advanced wireless communications, and as access-line capacity
increases, communications traffic is experiencing explosive growth.
Meanwhile, the impact of last year's Great East Japan Earthquake has
focused attention not only on increasing the capacity of core networks,
but also in improving their reliability and disaster tolerance.

Fujitsu has been developing 100 Gbps DWDM systems as a way to achieve
economical, high-capacity, high-quality advanced core networks. With NTT
Communications, it conducted a field test on the underlying technology,
100 Gbps digital coherent transmission.

<2. Test Overview>
Fujitsu has previously implemented 100 Gbps DWDM systems that use digital
coherent transmission technology at 100 Gbps per wavelength in markets
outside of Japan. Leveraging this expertise, Fujitsu and NTT
Communications conducted a field test of DWDM transmissions on a
commercial fiber-optic cable connecting Tokyo to Osaka. The test was
conducted using dispersion-shifted fiber in the L-band(2), which is often
used in Japan for long-haul transmissions (Figure 1).

In anticipation of the commercial deployment of 100 Gbps DWDM, the field
test simulated real-world situations, such as fiber-optic cable changes
in accordance with transmission-circuit route changes and adding/removing
wavelengths. The results confirmed that a quality sufficient for
commercial operation could be achieved at 8 Tbps (100 Gbps X 80
multiplexed wavelengths).

In addition, the test demonstrated that the system could compensate
automatically when adding chromatic dispersion and polarization mode
dispersion to actual transmission circuits, which could happen over a
variety of networks. This proved that it would be possible to have
operability with eased conditions of prior measurement of the fiber for
each individual network and design customization?which are characteristic
features of digital coherent transmission technology.

On December 14, 2011, Fujitsu announced the Packet Optical Networking
Platform for building ultra-fast, ultra-capacity 100 Gbps networks. Since
then, Fujitsu has continued to work on technologies that will bring more
capacity, more speed, and more energy efficiency to core optical networks
in Japan and around the world.

Digital coherent transmission technology makes use of results achieved in
two previous research projects, "R&D on High-speed Optical Transport
System Technologies" and "R&D on High-speed Edge Node Technologies," which
were supported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

<Glossary and Notes>
1 Digital coherent transmission technology:
An advanced optical transmission method that uses polarity multiplexing,
phase modulation, and other modulation techniques to increase frequency
utilization efficiency, and combines coherent reception and digital signal
processing to greatly increase reception sensitivity.

2 Dispersion-shifted fiber in L-band:
Dispersion-shifted fiber (DSF) is a type of single-mode optical fiber that
is tailored to shift the zero-dispersion wavelength from 1,310 nm to 1,550
nm, a wavelength in which the transmission loss is smaller. It is used in
long-haul transmissions. The L-band is the optical wavelength range of
1,565 nm to 1,625 nm used in WDM transmissions over DSF.

<About Fujitsu>
Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT)
company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services.
Over 170,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We
use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our
customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.5
trillion yen (US$54 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. For more
information, please see http://www.fujitsu.com.

Fiber Optic Sensors Global Market Forecast

                       

ElectroniCast Consultants  

According to ElectroniCast, the worldwide use of fiber optics sensors (FOS) will reach $3.39 Billion in 2016…

Upper Lake, CA (USA) – June 18, 2012  -- ElectroniCast Consultants, a leading market/technology forecast consultancy, today announced the release of their market forecast and analysis of the global consumption fiber optic Point sensors and Distributed fiber optics sensor system links. 

According to ElectroniCast, during the 2011-2016 timeline, the consumption value will grow at an impressive average annual rate of 20.5% from $1.34 billion to $3.39 billion.  Market forecast data refers to consumption (use) for a particular calendar year; therefore, this data is not cumulative data.

Monitoring and data transmission using fiber optic sensors and optical fiber in cabling is now commonplace in various applications, via intrinsic fiber optic sensors or extrinsic fiber optic sensors.  With an intrinsic sensor, one or more of the sensing/measuring quantity or physical properties (measurand) of the optical fiber passes through or inside the optical fiber and therefore experiences a change.  Extrinsic sensing takes place in a region outside of the optical fiber and the optical fiber acts as a transmission media of light to and from (linking) the sensing interface.

Fiber optic sensor technology has experienced impressive growth since ElectroniCast first started providing market and technology analysis of the subject since the early 1980s.  In fact their analysts were tracking the various advanced photonic technologies, since 1976.

The worldwide consumption value for fiber optic intrinsic sensors is forecast to increase at an average annual growth rate of nearly 20.7% during the 2011-2016 timeframe covered in this market forecast study by ElectroniCast; the use of fiber optic interface extrinsic sensors is forecast to increase at 18.15% per year.

 

This market forecast report is available immediately 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.electronicast.com specializes in forecasting trends in 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.

Genealogy of VCSELs

ElectroniCast Consultants                                

PDF Pages:                1-page text, plus 1-page chart (Figure)

Fee:                                                                $420

Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) diodes emerged in 1999 into very significant commercial use, more than 20-years after the initial baseline research. The VCSEL laser concept derives from the early strained-lattice research of Dr. Kenichi Ida and his students at Tokyo Institute of Technology 1979-80.

The underlying demand for a VCSEL-based capability, however, was not yet ready (in the 1980s to early 1990s) to support commercial operations. This resulted in an evolutionary “fits and starts” period of organization, dissolutions, restructuring, reformation and other turmoil.

United States military weapon system planners in the late 1980s foresaw a far future need for many-orders-of-magnitude greater data transport than was feasible at that time; to be accomplished in very little physical space and being rugged enough for operation in severe environments. It appeared that single-diode edge emitter capabilities could not be pushed up enough to meet the need.

The nature of the struggle to bring VCSELs to a viable market position may be inferred from the “Genealogy of VCSELs” chart constructed by ElectroniCast Consultants.

ElectroniCast provides this one-page chart for clients that want to keep information regarding this important part of advanced photonics history in their archives.

Contact: Stephen Montgomery, ElectroniCast

stephen_montgomery@electronicastconsultants.com

Web:  www.electronicast.com

 

ESI Acquires French Laser Company EOLITE

ESI paid approximately $10 million in cash for 100% of the shares of EOLITE Systems

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Electro Scientific Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: ESIO), a leading supplier of innovative laser-based manufacturing solutions for the microtechnology industry, announced that it has acquired EOLITE Systems, a designer and manufacturer of unique fiber lasers. EOLITE, based in Pessac, France, is a leading innovator in pulsed fiber laser technology.

The acquisition provides ESI direct access to differentiated, higher power fiber laser technology, which can be used in a broad set of microfabrication applications. EOLITE's differentiation is in the use of rod type photonic crystal fiber, which generates higher power and stores more energy than flexible fibers. The acquisition of EOLITE provides ESI the ability to customize lasers to specific applications for differentiated capability and lower cost.

Nick Konidaris, ESI's president and CEO, noted, "Leading edge laser capability is key for ESI to meet the challenges in state of the art materials processing. By combining the higher power amplification capabilities of EOLITE with the flexible pulse technology from our PyroPhotonics division we strengthen our ability to provide innovative solutions to our customers." ESI intends to continue to market both the PyroPhotonics and EOLITE laser products into the commercial market for solar, microelectronics, and industrial applications.
ESI paid approximately $10 million in cash for 100% of the shares of EOLITE Systems and expects the acquisition to be nominally dilutive in the near term before transaction and other acquisition-related costs.

About ESI, Inc.
ESI is a leading supplier of innovative, laser-based manufacturing solutions for the microtechnology industry. Our systems enable precise structuring and testing of micron to submicron features in electronic devices, semiconductors, LEDs and other high-value components. We partner with our customers to make breakthrough technologies possible in the microelectronics, semiconductor and other emerging industries. Founded in 1944, ESI is headquartered in Portland, Ore., with global operations from the Pacific Northwest to the Pacific Rim. More information is available at www.esi.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements about our products and earnings dilution. the markets we serve, profitability and growth. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us on the date of this release and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements for any reason. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may affect the forward-looking statements include: the risk that we not be able to successfully combine the EOLITE and PyroPhotonics products and the risk that future expenses associated with operating the EOLITE business are greater than anticipated.



Source: Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
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