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Mitsubishi Electric Announces Turbo Code Based Forward Error Correction LSI For 10 Gbps Optical Fiber Communications Systems

Posted on: Wednesday, 7 December 2005, 00:00 CST

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (President and CEO: Tamotsu Nomakuchi) announced today the development of a turbo code(a) based forward error correction (FEC) LSI capable of up to a world record 2% bit error correction. This LSI is in compliance with the ITU-T(b) G.709 standard for next generation optical networks. This state of the art FEC LSI gives systems worldwide outstanding transmission capacity and range.

(a) Turbo code: a class of high-performance error correction codes, widely used in mobile communications.

(b) The telecommunications branch of the Int'l Telecommunication Union is responsible for standardizing telecommunications technology. Product Summary ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Product Turbo code FEC LSI ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Net coding gain 10.1 dB at 1x10-13 (see note below) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LSI Design Rule 0.13 micrometers ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LSI gate number 16 million ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Port pin number 1024 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall size 4x4 cm. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: please note, 1x10-13 is 1x10 to the negative thirteenth power.

Background

With increasing demand for data and video services, there has emerged a pressing need to create a broadband inter-city backbone network that can handle increasing transmission capacity. Fiber optic communications are an important technology in supporting broadband networking. However, as transmission capacity increases, optical power per bit decreases, causing the signal to degrade and to not be transmitted correctly to the receiver. This is known as bit error, and has been a major problem with transmission capacity. The forward error correction method widely used currently to handle this problem is the ITU-T standardized Reed-Solomon code. However the amount of bit errors it can correct is limited.

A turbo code capable of correcting the high bit errors of wireless communications etc. does exist. While these wireless systems can be used at transmission speeds in the Mbps range, signal-processing speed is limited at fiber optic speeds of 10Gbps, and application of a high-speed system as well as LSI conversion has been difficult. In 2003, Mitsubishi Electric proposed a turbo code FEC for fiber optic communications, and succeeded in a verified error correction principle.

With this release, we have succeeded in integrating a turbo code error correction circuit on one LSI chip by using Mitsubishi's signal processing algorithm and high-speed circuitry design. We feel that this work represents a significant contribution to the future of optical communications systems.

Features

1. Integration of turbo code circuitry on 1 LSI chip

Error correction of only 0.014% of transmitted information was possible using the current Reed-Solomon code Using this turbo code based forwarded error correction LSI enables a bit error ratio of 2%. This is the world's highest error correction capability. Such high performance makes possible a transmission capacity of approximately 3 times. The available number of multiplexed wavelengths could increase from 32 to 96, or transmission distance could be extended from 1000 km to 3000 km.

2. ITU-T next generation optical communication network (rec. no. G.709) Compliant

The full compliance to ITU-T recommendation G.709 makes it easier to connect between telecommunications providers and vendors.

3. Capable of expansion to 40 Gbps optical communications

By using 4 of these LSI chips, it will be possible to apply them to an expected 40Gbps optical communications backbone system in the future.

Future Developments

Mitsubishi Electric hopes to develop an optical communication terminal using this LSI within one year.

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 (TOKYO: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 recorded consolidated group sales of 3,410 billion yen (US$ 31.9billion(c)) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. For more information visit http://global.mitsubishielectric.com

(c) At an exchange rate of 107 yen to the US dollar, the rate given by the Tokyo Foreign Exchange Market on March 31, 2005.

Source: Business Wire

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