Backplane Transceiver Market Assessment

Backplane Transceiver
Market Opportunities, Strategies, and Forecasts, 2007 to 2013

Report # SH29821504| 459 Pages | 151 Tables and Figures | 2007

Check Out these Key Topics!

Backplane Transceiver Market Shares, Forecasts, and Driving Forces

Global Communications Industry

Increasingly Sophisticated Systems

Communications IC Opportunity

Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) Transition

Changing Backplanes

VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser)

RapidIO^TM Architecture

Backplane Transceiver Devices

Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture

Star Topology

Mesh Backplane

Multi-Point Backplane

Fast Backplanes

Backplane Transceiver
Market Opportunities, Strategies, and Forecasts, 2007 to 2013

Demand for Internet services, the implementation of broadband and InfiniBand are major backplane transceiver market driving forces. The copper based transceivers are extending their technology life by implementing equalization flexibility to meet conditions needed to extend copper based backplane technology because is less expensive.

The backplane transceiver technology market includes copper based technologies, QSFP (Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable) transceiver modules for InfiniBand, physical serial products, Xaui, and VCSEL based backplane transceiver products used for the support of network bandwidth growth. The demand for broadband is impacting wireless transport, creating demand for different types of backhaul.

For the moment the copper based products are superior in the market to the VCSEL technology. The nanosecond latency and 125 MHz programming rate make transceivers suitable for system designs with tight timing budgets. Integrated programmable equalization (EQ) is designed to tame tough signal integrity challenges in backplanes and short-reach copper cabling. Vitesse integrated signal equalization in cross point switches are used by key technology patents. A portfolio offers dozens of products.

Backplane transceiver markets impact the entire network architecture for communications. These markets address the issue of how to move packets across the backplane. The circuit switch architecture depended on one clock in Denver to create simultaneity for all the logic in all the proprietary circuit switch hardware.

With the Internet cloud architecture, the one clock is gone and all the switches that move packets have different clocks. The shift in architecture puts more stress on the components that create switching capability in the network. These units have to operate at higher speeds and with more flexibility to handle the traffic that is being generated by the Internet.

Combined voice, video, and data traffic is moving across the same switches at the same time, creating demand for new types of switch IC. The transfer of information from the line card or motherboard to the backplane is moving from a parallel to serial architecture. This in turn gives rise to demand for new types of IC.

Blade servers are replacing to old circuit switches and the proprietary PBX hardware. Mainframe systems are entering the picture with five nines of reliability in server environments. They are used to implement applications. Clustered blade servers with carrier grade Linux operating systems create computer industry hardware that can be used with proprietary software.

Market growth is expected to be spurred by demand for storage and video capable networks. Higher speeds complement existing infrastructure. Gigabit Ethernet IC markets will drive demand for high-speed communications. Asynchronous IC communications capability provided by crosspoint switches permits design flexibility. Different protocols are supported.

Different solutions address the same issue, how to move packets across the backplane. Backplane transceivers are a significant aspect of the issue. Significant market shifts are occurring. These units have to operate at higher speeds and with more flexibility to handle the traffic that is being generated by the Internet. Combined voice, video, and data traffic is moving across the same switches at the same time, creating demand for new types of switch IC.

In addition, the transfer of information from the line card or motherboard to the backplane is moving from a parallel to serial architecture. This in turn gives rise to demand for new types of IC.

Backplane transceiver markets in dollars at $95.3 million in 2006 are expected to reach $929.5 million by 2013. This growth is in part a result of the fact that the quantity of information is doubling every 7 months. Voice over IP (VoIP), video over IP, mobile telephone backhaul, and storage market growth bring the need for faster backplanes using the newer technologies.

Companies Profiled
Vitesse Mindspeed Accelerant Networks Agere Systems Analog Devices Aeluros AMCC Avago BiRa Broadcom Conexant Systems Dallas Semiconductor Dune Networks EXAR Fairchild	Hitachi/Maxwell Infineon IDT Intel Lattice Semiconductor Marvell Maxim Integrated Products National Semiconductor On Semiconductor PMC-Sierra Siemens/Dasan Networks Teradyne Triquint Zarlink

Report Methodology

This is the 299th report in a series of market research reports that provide forecasts in communications, telecommunications, the internet, computer, software, and telephone equipment. The project leaders take direct responsibility for writing and preparing each report. They have significant experience preparing industry studies. Forecasts are based on primary research and proprietary data bases. Forecasts reflect analysis of the market trends in the segment and related segments. Unit and dollar shipments are analyzed through consideration of dollar volume of each market participation in the segment. Market share analysis includes conversations with key customers of products, industry segment leaders, marketing directors, distributors, leading market participants, and companies seeking to develop measurable market share. Over 200 in-depth interviews are conducted for each report with a broad range of key participants and opinion leaders in the market segment.

About the Company

WinterGreen Research, founded in 1985, provides strategic market assessments in telecommunications, communications equipment, health care, and advanced computer technology. Industry reports focus on opportunities that will expand existing markets or develop major new markets. The reports assess new product and service positioning strategies, new and evolving technologies, and technological impact on products, services, and markets. Market shares are provided. Leading market participants are profiled, and their marketing strategies, acquisitions, and strategic alliances are discussed. The principals of WinterGreen Research have been involved in analysis and forecasting of international business opportunities in telecommunications and advanced computer technology markets for over 30 years.

About the Principal Authors

Ellen T. Curtiss, Technical Director, co-founder of WinterGreen Research, conducts strategic and market assessments in technology-based industries. Previously she was a member of the staff of Arthur D. Little, Inc., for 23 years, most recently as Vice President of Arthur D. Little Decision Resources, specializing in strategic planning and market development services. She is a graduate of Boston University and the Program for Management Development at Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. She is the author of recent studies on worldwide telecommunications markets and the Top Ten Telecommunications market analysis and forecasts.

Susan Eustis, President, co-founder of WinterGreen Research, has done research in communications and computer markets and applications. She holds several patents in microcomputing and parallel processing. She is the author of recent studies of the Regional Bell Operating Companies' marketing strategies, Internet equipment, a study of Internet Equipment, Worldwide Telecommunications Equipment, Top Ten Telecommunications, Digital Loop Carrier, Web Hosting, and Application Integration markets. Ms. Eustis is a graduate of Barnard College.

Backplane TransceiverMarket Opportunities, Strategies, and Forecasts, 2007 to 2013