SAN MATEO, Calif., March 31 -- The global consumption of selected test equipment and instrumentation used in optical (lightwave) communication applications will grow from $3.175 billion in 2002 to $14.28 billion in 2011, according to a market forecast report by ElectroniCast Corp. "Optical time domain reflectometers (OTDR) and their associated test function modules led in relative market share, with over 50 percent of the total value," said Electronicast President Stephen Montgomery. "Remote fiber test systems (RFTS) will prove to be a major user of OTDRs." OTDR-based RFTS's locate faults in fiber optic networks, periodically testing the optical signal link and verifying cable installations and optical fiber splice loss, among other applications. North America led global consumption of fiber optic test equipment and optical instrumentation in 2002, with a 52 percent relative market share. North American consumption value will increase to $6.6 billion in 2011, with rapidly rising quantity growth offset by falling average prices, according to the Electronicast report. "Several other equipment types represent large consumption values, such as bit-error test units, attenuators and optical spectrum analyzers. However, many other test units/functions will show impressive market growth, such as polarization mode dispersion analyzers, power meters, wavelength meters and others. There is a trend to provide multifunctional devices, equipment performing more than one operation," Montgomery said. The report, The Optical Test & Instrumentation Executive Study Service, costs $2,995. The Optical Test & Instrumentation Global Market Forecast Consultant Service, which includes all database spreadsheets, debriefings, analyst inquiry services and quarterly industry reviews, is available for $18,000. For more information, visit: electronicast.com