TOKYO, March 27, 2003 -- Mitsubishi Electric is furthering the development of total solutions for optical transmission technology to support the next-generation communication network infrastructure. The company has successfully developed a forward error correction technology with the world's best bit-error correction capability. Thanks to newly developed Turbo codes*1 and soft decision circuitry*2, a 2% bit-error can be perfected at 10 Gbps, which is a 140% improvement from the previous rate*3. It is anticipated that this technology will allow for easy system expansion and upgrading without the additional equipment cost. The company has presented the latest results at the Optical Fiber Communication Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

According to the rapid demands for communication bandwidth due to the recent Internet services, the new technology enlarging the transmission distance and capacity is in high demand. Bit-error occurs in the receiver station because the longer distances and larger capacities result in less power being received. A forward error correction technology has already been established in the wireless and satellite communication systems to effectively improve performance. Although the optical communication systems, e.g., submarine cable systems and wavelength division multiplexing systems, have used the forward error correction technology, the error correction capability was insufficient; a bit-error of only 0.014 % only could be corrected. Therefore, the need for a stronger forward error correction is now in great demand.

Mitsubishi Electric developed its own forward error correction technology by combining Turbo codes with soft decision circuitry enabling an error correction of 2% (140% better than previous rate). Plans call for this technology to triple the system capacity and increase the transmission distance by 140%.

(1)	World's first application of Turbo codes to 10 Gbps optical communications.
(2)	10 Gbps soft decision circuitry integrated into one chip LSI.
(3)	World's highest error-correction capability created by above two technologies.

Applications for this technology include submarine cable systems and high capacity terrestrial wavelength division multiplexing systems. Mitsubishi Electric will equip this technology into the commercialized optical transmission systems by 2004. At present, there are 8 patents under application.

About Mitsubishi Electric
With over 80 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality products to both corporate clients and general consumers all over the world, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TSE: 6503) is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and building equipment. The company has operations in 35 countries and recorded consolidated group sales of 3,649 billion yen (US$27.4 billion) in the year ended March 31, 2002. For more information about Mitsubishi Electric, visit Global.MitsubishiElectric.com

Inquiries (media only): Robert "Bob" Barz, Public Relations Department Tel: +81-3-3218-2346 Email: Robert.Barz@hq.melco.co.jp

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