This section provides an overview for optical converters as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 27 optical converter manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked optical converter companies as of November, 2024: 1.Blackmagic Design Pty. Ltd, 2.Spectrum Control, 3.Amphenol Fiber Systems International.
Table of Contents
An optical converter, also known as an optical media converter, is a device designed to convert electrical signals into optical signals and vice versa.
In communication systems that use metal cables like LAN cables, electrical signals are used to transmit data. However, as the transmission distance increases, these electrical signals can suffer from attenuation and can be susceptible to electromagnetic interference, leading to communication errors.
Optical fiber communication, on the other hand, relies on light pulses to transmit signals. Optical signals in fiber optics have low attenuation and are immune to electromagnetic interference, making them ideal for stable long-distance communication. Optical converters are used to bridge the gap between metal cables and optical fibers in such systems.
Optical converters find applications in various scenarios, including connecting optical lines to homes and office LAN systems and linking WiFi communication facilities to national optical networks.
As networks connect computers, peripherals, manufacturing equipment, and household appliances, data communication facilities are essential. Optical fiber, with its advantages of low attenuation, noise immunity, lightweight, and corrosion resistance, is being deployed extensively in communication networks worldwide.
Devices connected to these networks operate using electrical signals, but optical signals transmitted via optical fiber cannot be directly utilized. Optical converters play a crucial role in converting these optical signals into electrical signals for use by connected devices.
EO conversion involves converting electrical signals into optical signals. This is achieved using a semiconductor laser as the light source for the optical signal. Two common laser light modulation methods are direct modulation, where the electrical signal directly drives the semiconductor laser, and external modulation, where the semiconductor laser is continuously driven, and its light is modulated by an external modulator.
While direct modulation is compact and simple in terms of modulation circuitry, it can suffer from waveform degradation due to the semiconductor laser's direct drive, making it less suitable for long-distance communication. External modulation is preferred for such applications.
OE conversion involves converting optical signals into electrical signals. This is achieved using a photodiode, which is a semiconductor device also known as an optical sensor. When light strikes the photodiode, it generates electrons and holes in the PN junction, resulting in current flow. The photodiode converts the optical input into an electrical signal.
An Optical converter is a combination of EO and OE converters, allowing bidirectional conversion between electrical and optical signals.
Effective utilization of optical converters requires careful design of circuit patterns and mounting layouts.
1. Impedance Matching
In Gbps-class modulation, impedance matching becomes critical, especially when dealing with millimeter-scale circuit lengths. It's essential to ensure impedance matching between the semiconductor laser and the laser driver. Poor impedance matching can lead to signal reflections and ringing, degrading the modulation waveform. Verification of characteristics through simulation during the design phase is often necessary.
2. Photodetector and First-Stage Amplifier Configuration
A very weak signal flows between the photodetector and the first-stage amplifier. Minimizing noise in this signal path is crucial to meet specified minimum photosensitivity requirements. Since photosensitivity can vary depending on assembly and layout, characteristic verification during mounting is often necessary, in addition to impedance matching considerations.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Moog Inc. was incorporated in 1951 and is headquartered in East Aurora, New York. The company designs manufactures and integrates precision motion and fluid controls and control systems for customers including OEMS in industries such as aerospace, defense, industrial machinery, motorsports, and construction. The company’s product offerings include both systems and components. Examples of systems include actuation systems, naval systems, turreted weapon systems, and space vehicles. Examples of components include manifolds, slip rings, actuators, and servo actuators.
Terahertz Technologies was founded in 1989 and is based in New York, U.S.A., and is a manufacturer of fiber optic test equipment and photonic lab equipment for various industrial applications. The company's product folio includes optical choppers, power meters, CWDM and DWDM channel analyzers, tunable laser sources, and, loss test sets that have a wide range of applications in the photonics, aerospace, medical, electronics, and, digital transmission arenas. The company also offers optical to electrical converters that are useful in a variety of laboratory and field service situations.
AJA Video Systems, Inc., established in 1993 in Grass Valley, California, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in video interface technologies, converters and streaming solutions. The company’s product line includes video capture cards, digital recording devices, routers, converters, and professional cameras. It also offers streaming, fiber, 8K and HDR solutions serving various applications in broadcast, audiovisual (AV), production, and post-production sectors. The company offers technical support to help customers resolve issues post-sales. AJA partners with resellers internationally to serve media companies around the globe, along with broadcasters, networks, post-production houses, film editors, and more.
Broadcom Inc., established in 1961, and headquartered in San Jose, California, is a manufacturer and supplier of semiconductor and connectivity solutions. The company specializes in producing products, such as semiconductors, infrastructure software, networking products, storage products, wireless products in which their products cater to industries such as telecommunications, data centers, and consumer electronics. Their products are used for various applications, including wireless communication, networking equipment, data storage, and multimedia devices, providing components for advanced technologies in numerous industrial and commercial sectors.
Spectrum Control is based in Pennsylvania, USA, and is a manufacturer of microwave and radio frequency (RF) subsystems and components for the defense industry that was originally established in 1963 before its acquisition by API Technologies in 2011. The company produces conditioning and distribution products such as RF signal couplers, digital blocks such as RF signal modulators, and power distribution accessories such as inverters. It also offers EMI protection products and integrated microwave assemblies tailored to customer specifications. The company’s products are used in the defense and aerospace industries, with additional applications in military-grade secure systems.
Amphenol Fiber Systems International, founded in 1993 and based in Allen, Texas, is a manufacturer of fiber optic connectivity products and systems and an Amphenol Military & Aerospace Operations division. Its product portfolio ranges from media converters, termini, and transceivers, and the company is AS9100, ISO 9001, and MIL-STD-790 certified. It has 12 product categories and nine patents and serves industries like military, broadcast, and aerospace. Besides offering training to its customers, the company provides fiber optic engineering assistance, including fiber optic spooling, panel manufacturing, and designing custom precision optical interconnect systems.
Fuji Electric Co. Ltd., established in 1923 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of electric equipment and offers engineering services. Its products include turbine generators, monitoring systems, power MOSFETs, and food vending machines used in energy, industry, semiconductors, and food fields. The company started manufacturing electrical machinery in 1924, transformers in 1925, and electric fans in 1927. In 1930, it launched the first mercury-vapor rectifier production, which was the first in Japan. In 1933, it started producing expansion circuit breakers and finished Asia’s first 230kV expansion circuit breaker in 1938.
Oi Electric Co., Ltd. established in 1946 and based in Tokyo, Japan, is a seasoned manufacturer and distributor of telecommunications equipment. The company's product range includes communication systems, information processing equipment, electronic devices, measurement systems, and electronic components. These products are integral for streamlining communication processes, enhancing data processing, ensuring precise electronic operations, and maintaining accurate measurements. The company serves industries like telecommunications, electronics manufacturing, IT services, and data management. Its services include design, manufacturing, system integration, and continuous support.
HIRAKAWA HEWTECH CORP., founded in 1948 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in cables, electronic equipment, and medical equipment. The company's product portfolio includes high-speed cables, factory automation cables, optical converters, network equipment, and medical tubing. These products are utilized by various industries, including electronics, digital technology, information communication, broadcasting, and the medical sector. The company is ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 certified, with overseas subsidiaries in America, Mexico, Thailand, the Philippines, and Taiwan.
SEIKOH GIKEN Co., Ltd., a company founded on June 7, 1972, and headquartered in Chiba, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of optical components and equipment. The company specializes in the development and production of fiber optic connectors, fusion splicers, and related products for the telecommunications and data communication industries. Their products are used for fiber optic connections in various applications, including telecommunication networks, data centers, and optical sensing systems. The company also offers customer services including prompt and responsive communication to address inquiries and technical assistance.
Moxa Inc., founded in Brea, CA, in 1987 is a manufacturer of industrial connectivity products hat enable devices to connect, communicate, and collaborate with systems. The company's product portfolio includes, Ethernet Switches, Secure Routers, Wireless AP/Bridge/Client, Cellular Gateways/Routers and Ethernet Media Converters. The company serves markets including Automotive and Electric Vehicles, Renewable Energy and Energy Storage and Electronics and IT Infrastructure. They also provide services including product selection, installation, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair.
Dron Edge India Private Limited, formed in 2010 and situated in Noida, India, is a manufacturer of optical fiber cables, joint closures, and the like. The company makes optical fiber cables, splicing machines, joint enclosures, and fiber management systems. It also produces network switches, optical line terminals, copper cables, server racks, and fiber optic connectors. The variants of its optical fiber cables, aerial optical fiber cables, are used for campus-type environments, aerial links self-support, or duct underground service for long runs between buildings.
Shenzhen OPTICO Communication Co., Ltd was established in April 2008, in China as a manufacturer of optical products. The company has a wide range of optical active and passive products which includes Polarization Maintaining 5G Series, Patch Cords that are available in various transmission modes, optical cable types, and connector types. There are also Fiber pigtails, jumpers, adapters, connectors, and cables along with other related products such as splitters, terminal boxes, Optical chips and etc. which have extensive use in the 4G/5G, Data Centers, Telecom, and Cloud Computing industry.
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer of information and communications technology (ICT) products and solutions that was established in 1987 and is headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. The company’s products include smartphones, tablets, laptops, wearables, and networking equipment. Its products are used by several industries, as diverse as consumer electronics, enterprise, and carrier. Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. also offers a wide range of services, including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics.
Shenzhen Sopto Technology Co., Ltd., established in 2009, stands as an eminent and inventive manufacturer and supplier of advanced optical communication products in China. The company specializes in developing cutting-edge fiber optic solutions for various industries.Devoted to driving optical innovation, Shenzhen Sopto Technology offers an extensive range of good-quality and unfailing products, including optical transceivers, fiber optic cables, and passive components. These solutions empower industries such as telecommunications, data centers, and broadcasting.
Blackmagic Design Pty. Ltd. is an Australia-based manufacturer of feature film, post-production, and broadcast products founded in 2001. The company produces capture and playback devices including cameras and monitors, live production switchers that allow users to toggle between multiple input sources, and testing equipment like waveform monitors and vectorscopes. They also offer customer support via online manuals, editing software, and training courses. Blackmagic Design has manufacturing facilities in six countries, and serves clients like the BBC, Sony Pictures, Adobe, and MIT Media Lab.
Pulsed Power Japan Laboratory Ltd., established in 2009 with headquarters in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, is a manufacturer of pulsed power supplies and incidental equipment. The company's product line includes solid-state LTDs (linear transformer drivers), high-voltage pulse power supplies, high-voltage pulse generators for magnetrons, Marx-type HV-pulser units for e-guns, and semiconductor switch substrates. These products are used for semiconductor manufacturing, electronic component surge testing, plasma generation for aluminum sheet surface imprinting processes, cancer treatment, and nuclear fusion, among others.
Connect2India, established in 2015 and headquartered in Faridabad, India, is a manufacturer that developed an integrated trading platform of the same name. Launched as a full platform in 2016, Connect2India facilitates connections between Indian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and overseas individuals and enterprises to foster partnerships. The company also provides assistance to these businesses in entering international markets through insights, expert resources, predictive analytics, and business tools. Additionally, Connect2India offers services such as helping with business setup in India, conducting inspections of Indian companies, and hiring import and export agents. To counter international trade frauds, Connect2India leverages technologies like Blockchain.
Microwave Factory Co., Ltd. established on February 25, 2003, and based in Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of Shielded Rooms and Boxes. The company's product range includes the ESD Visualizer, Anechoic Chamber, Radiowave Absorbers, an Antenna Measurement System, and an OTA Measurement System. These products are designed for tasks such as electromagnetic wave measurement, 5G communications testing, microwave assessments, and antenna measurements. Key industries benefiting from these products are Automotive, Aerospace and Defense, Electronics, and Telecommunications. Its services include automatic measurement software solutions, production of positioners like turntables, and supply of accessories for electromagnetic wave testing.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Blackmagic Design Pty. Ltd |
6.9%
|
2 | AE CONNECT INDIA PVT. LTD |
5.6%
|
3 | Spectrum Control |
5.6%
|
4 | Amphenol Fiber Systems International |
5.6%
|
5 | Triflex International |
5.6%
|
6 | Terahertz Technologies Inc. |
5.6%
|
7 | Atlona Inc |
4.2%
|
8 | Optech Technology Co., Ltd |
4.2%
|
9 | Opticis Co., Ltd |
4.2%
|
10 | Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. |
4.2%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the optical converter page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 6 | 31.6% |
India | 5 | 26.3% |
Japan | 4 | 21.1% |
taiwa | 1 | 5.3% |
China | 1 | 5.3% |
Taiwan | 1 | 5.3% |
Republic of Korea | 1 | 5.3% |
1 product is listed.
Fuji Soft Co., Ltd.
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