Strong Growth Forecast for Filter Modules

The global market for chromatic dispersion compensator filter modules is projected to expand rapidly over the next several years. ElectroniCast Consultants of Upper Lake, Calif., issued a market study that forecasts that growth will climb from nearly $48 million in 2006 to almost $230 million by 2011. Growth is then expected to slow noticeably to an annual average increase of 0.3 percent. The growth will be particularly dramatic in North America and the Pacific Rim, including Japan. The modules typically are comprised of fiber Bragg gratings or etalon-based elements. Over the forecast period, the filter approach may include bulk optics such as virtual-image phased arrays and other technologies.