Definition:

A transceiver is a device comprising both a transmitter and a receiver which are combined and share common circuitry or a single housing. When no circuitry is common between transmit and receive functions, the device is a transmitter-receiver. The term originated in the early 1920s. Similar devices include transponders, transverters, and repeaters.

A transponder is one of two types of devices. In air navigation or radio frequency identification, a flight transponder is a device that emits an identifying signal in response to an interrogating received signal. In a communications satellite, a transponder gathers signals over a range of uplink frequencies and re-transmits them on a different set of downlink frequencies to receivers on Earth, often without changing the content of the received signal or signals.

Transponder vs Transceiver 

A transceiver helps to guide the flow of traffic, format information and convert data. It provides an electrical-optical function and uses a serial interface. Ethernet transceivers provide isolation between stations and expose collisions. A transceiver transmits and receives data and as a result the word “transceiver” was created. Transceivers are often used in wireless devices such as mobile phones, and two-way radios. Satellites use a full-duplex system so that the reception is not interrupted by the transmitting signal. Transceivers use half duplex when being used in two-way radios. Whilst the transmitter is in use, the receiver is silenced. We have a range of XSP, SFP and SFP+ transceivers dependant on your assignment.

Transponders have many functions depending upon the task it is assigned to. They use a parallel interface and convert between two optical wavelengths. The word “transponder” comes from the fact that it both transmits and responds. When used in high-speed networking, transmitters respond and transmit from a fiber. Originally transponders were used to locate an object and can still be used in this fashion. In World War II, aircraft pilots would use transponders to identify whether other crafts it would come in contact with were enemies or friends. They would relay this to radar operators. This was part of the “Identify Friend or Foe” (IFF) operation. Transponders are used for a number of things including: satellites, mobile phones and even cars. They assist in location services, distance measuring and other tasks. Our direct attach cables are high quality transmitters suitable for a range of projects. 

Optical transceiver and transponder market to grow $3.3 billion by 2016

The optical transceiver market is forecast to hit $3.3 billion in 2016 according to a report by Infonetics Research. Unit shipments of 10G SFP+ modules nearly doubled from 2010 to 2011 and are expected to grow at a 40% CAGR through 2016. Meanwhile, tunable XFP shipments nearly tripled in 2011, driven by the entry of new suppliers and unit shipments of WDM capable modules. Infonetics predicts that the 100G coherent transceiver market is set to surge as supply floods the market in 2012, driven by network equipment manufacturers. "2012 will be a pivotal year for 100G design activity, with many new equipment vendors fielding production equipment," says Andrew Schmitt, principal analyst for optical at Infonetics Research. "This will drive volume in the component world in 2013 as carriers reboot their optical networksand roll out all-coherent networks. In the meantime, 10G WDM interface growth continues with the tunable XFP playing the lead role."

Conclusion:

A transponder and transceiver are both functionally similar devices that convert a full-duplex electrical signal in a full-duplex optical signal. The difference between the two is that fiber transceivers interface electrically with the host system using a serial interface, whereas transponders use a parallel interface. So transponders are easier to handle lower-rate parallel signals, but are bulkier and consume more power than transceivers. In addition, transceivers are limited to providing an electrical-optical function only (not differentiating between serial or parallel electrical interfaces), whereas transponders convert an optical signal at one wavelength to an optical signal at another wavelength. As such, transponders can be considered as two transceivers placed back-to-back.