This section provides an overview for optical converters as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 24 optical converter manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked optical converter companies as of September, 2023: 1.AE CONNECT INDIA PVT. LTD, 2.Spectrum Control, 3.Amphenol Fiber Systems International.
Table of Contents
Optical Converter, also called Optical Media Converter, is a device that converts electrical signals into optical signals and optical signals into electrical signals.
In communications using metal cables, such as LAN cables, potential differences are transmitted as electrical signals, but as the transmission distance increases, the electrical signals become attenuated, and electromagnetic noise generated inside and outside the cable can easily cause communication errors.
In communication using optical fiber, light flashes are transmitted as signals. Since optical signals in optical fiber have a low attenuation rate and are not affected by electromagnetic waves, stable long-distance communication can be achieved by inserting a long optical fiber between two metal cables.
In this case, an Optical Converter is used to connect the metal cable and the optical fiber.
Optical Converters are used in a wide variety of locations, such as the joints from the optical lines that run into homes and office buildings to the respective LAN systems, and the connection between WiFi communication facilities and optical lines that exist throughout the country.
With computers and their peripherals, manufacturing equipment, and home appliances all connected by networks, data communication facilities are needed everywhere. And because optical fiber has advantages such as low attenuation, noise immunity, light weight, and resistance to corrosion and rust, optical fiber communication networks are being deployed throughout Japan.
Devices connected to the network operate on electrical signals. Optical signals transmitted by optical fiber cannot be used as they are. In order to use them as signals, an Optical Converter is required.
The conversion of an electrical signal to an optical signal is called "EO conversion," and a semiconductor laser is used as the light source for the optical signal. There are two types of laser light modulation methods: direct modulation, in which the electrical signal is directly supplied as a drive current to the semiconductor laser, and external modulation, in which the semiconductor laser itself is continuously driven and its light is modulated by a modulator.
Direct modulation has the advantage of being compact and allowing the modulation circuit to be easily configured, but it has the disadvantage of being prone to waveform degradation due to the oscillation delay of the semiconductor laser because it is driven directly. Therefore, external modulation is used for long-distance communication applications.
The conversion of an optical signal into an electrical signal is called "OE conversion," in which the optical input is converted into an electrical signal by a photodiode. A photodiode is a semiconductor device also called an optical sensor and is composed of a PN coupling. When the P side of the photodiode is connected to the negative side of the power supply and the N side to the positive side, no current flows because of the reverse connection, and what is created at this time is an area called the depletion layer around the PN junction surface.
When light strikes this depletion layer, electrons and holes are generated, and the electrons move to the N-side electrode and the holes move to the P-side electrode, causing current to flow from the P-side to the N-side. Optical Converter is a set of EO Converter and OE Converter.
In order to take advantage of the characteristics of Optical Converter, the circuit pattern and mounting layout must be carefully designed.
1. Impedance matching
In the case of Gbps-class modulation, impedance matching must be considered when the circuit length is in the millimeter range. Specifically, impedance matching between the semiconductor laser and laser driver must be considered.
If impedance matching is not done well, reflections and ringing will occur, leading to degradation of the modulation waveform. It is often necessary to verify the characteristics on implementation in parallel with simulation during design.
2. Photodetector and first-stage amplifier configuration
A very weak signal flows between the photosensor and the first-stage amplifier. It is important to suppress this noise as much as possible to ensure the specified minimum photosensitivity.
Since the photosensitivity varies depending on the way the circuit is assembled and arranged, it is often necessary to verify the characteristics on mounting as well as impedance matching.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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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.
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.
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.
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (SEI) is a Japanese manufacturer of electric wires and optical fiber cables that was originally founded in 1897 as Sumitomo Copper Rolling Works before rebranding in 2015. Based in Chuo-ku, Osaka, the company produces various electric and electronic products including wires and cables for automotive onboard systems, optical fibers for data transmission, compound semiconductors used in electronics, and soft magnetic composites for low-speed rotors. Aside from its products, SEI also offers data center solutions and monitoring services, which improve safety and efficiency in customer-specific management and analytical systems.
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.
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.
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.
Ranking as of September 2023 in United States of America
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | AE CONNECT INDIA PVT. LTD |
16.7%
|
2 | Spectrum Control |
16.7%
|
3 | Amphenol Fiber Systems International |
16.7%
|
4 | Unique Metal Corporation |
16.7%
|
5 | Triflex International |
16.7%
|
6 | Aares Telecom Private Limited |
16.7%
|
Ranking as of September 2023 Globally
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | AE CONNECT INDIA PVT. LTD |
28.6%
|
2 | Spectrum Control |
14.3%
|
3 | Amphenol Fiber Systems International |
14.3%
|
4 | Unique Metal Corporation |
14.3%
|
5 | Triflex International |
14.3%
|
6 | Aares Telecom Private Limited |
14.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the optical converter page as of September 2023. 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