This report examines the rapidly emerging product segment that embeds optical
transceiver technologies into enclosed cables that hide the high-speed optics
behind two transceiver ends with an electrical interconnect on the outside.
This factor enables creating very high speed and high aggregate data rate
links at costs significantly below that of two separate connectorized
transceivers and fibers.
This report presents data on annual AOC shipments, revenues, average selling
prices for 2007-2011 and forecasts the market for 2012-2016. It analyses
technologies, market trends, protocol transitions, data rates, MSAs for
InfiniBand and Ethernet protocols as well as potential applications of AOCs in
disk and SSD storage, GPU clusters, and board-level interconnects using SAS
and PCI Express AOCs. Lastly, future Wave Division Multiplexing AOCs are
examined from silicon photonics companies for 2013 that promise 100Gin a QSFP
formate and scalable to 1.6T per AOC in the future with enough aggregate
bandwidth to uplink an enture server rack or router.
Additional analysis and forecast is included for the emerging Video and
Consumer AOC segment using HDMI, DisplayPort and USB. Lastly, analysis of the
embedded AOC segment with embedded DisplayPort and MIPI protocols.
The report is based on confidential sales information and detailed analysis of
publicly available data released by leading component and equipment
manufacturers.
Total report length:130 Pages Includes an Excel Database.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Author Biography
Report Objective
Executive Summary
Chapter 1: Key Issues and Changes in 2010
AOCs Gain Strong Foothold in the HPC InfiniBand Segment with Other
Segments to Follow Soon
1.1. Introduction
1.2. AOC General Business Overview
1.3. 2010 Action - Key Industry, Market, Company and Product Changes
AOC Acquisitions Change the AOC and Transceiver Competitive Landscape
Products
Prices
New Products
On the Horizon
New Technologies to Watch'
1.4. 2011 & 2012 Outlook and Predictions Summary
1.5. LightCounting's Position Summary
1.6. Key Trends, Issues & Recommendations to Executives
1.7. AOC History & Development
1.8. Market Hype and Distortions Created Unrealistic Expectations
1.9. History and Development of AOCs
Figure 1-1: IBM's Roadrunner HPC Showing AOCs
1.10. Why Are AOCs Important2
Figure 1-2: 4-channel and 12-Channel MSAs
Figure 1-3: Sun Microsystems Constellation Subsystem Supporting
l2xlOGbpsCXP AOCs
1.11. Issues That Will Limit AOC Growth
1.12. Total Cost of Ownership Plays More Important Role
Chapter 2: New Enabling Technologies Emerge
2.1. AOC technologies Enables New Product Types
Figure 2-1: New Products Based on AOC Technologies
2.2. Converging Forces with the Right Timing
Figure 2-2 AOCs Will Impact Traditional Transceiver Markets and Create
New Transceiver Products
2.3. AOCs Compete with Parallel Transceiver and Direct Attach Copper
Figure 2-3: Examples of Cabling Waterfalls
2.4. A Few Trends to Reduce Cabling Nightmares'
2.5. 10Gbps Has Become the New Interconnect Currency
2.6. Past 10Gbps to 25G
2.7. Expanding DataCenter Size & High Data Rates Plays to AOC Strengths
2.8. Small Changes Generate Large Feature and Benefit Gains
2.8.1. Closing Off Photonics to the Outside World
2.8.2. New Integration and Innovative Manufacturing Techniques
Figure 2-5: AOC Simplified Transceiver Construction
2.8.3. Innovation Blooms with Relaxed Interoperability Constraints
