SUNNYVALE, Calif. — August 27, 2002 — The Electronic Device Group of Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc., today introduced the ML9XX37 single-mode distributed feedback (DFB) laser diode, a powerful continuous-wave light source for next-generation, 40 gigabit per second (Gbps) fiber optic networks. The ML9XX37 boasts a leading-edge power output of at least 60 milliwatts (mW) throughout a temperature range of 0 to 50 degrees Celsius. The device also reduces network system costs by providing temperature-controlled wavelength tuning and by extending transmissions to beyond 100 km, when coupled with a 10-Gbps external modulator.

"The ML9XX37 offers customers exceptional output power for next-generation 40-Gbps networks," said Daniel Chen, assistant vice president of high-frequency products for Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc., "but its ability to transmit over exceptionally long distances makes it a cost-effective solution for the current generation of 10-Gbps networks."

The ML9XX37 covers five channels within the C band (1530-1565 nm) for external modulation in DWDM^[1] applications, with 0.8-nm wavelength ITU^[2]-grid spacing between channels. The device’s temperature-controlled wavelength tuning can reduce module backup costs by as much as 80 percent for five-channel systems, because customers can tune one backup module for any of the five channels, thereby eliminating the need for customers to keep five non-tunable backup modules — one for each channel.

The laser diode’s 100-km reach, when coupled with a 10-Gbps external modulator, can save significant system costs for extremely long-reach fiber-optic applications because fewer laser diodes are necessary to place in tandem for the entire length of the network. The ML9XX37 DFB laser diode’s extremely narrow line width of less than 1 MHz contributes to its long-distance transmission capability as well as making it an excellent choice for DWDM applications. The device’s 40-decibel (typical) side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) minimizes pulse signal degradation.

Packaging and Availability

The ML9XX37 continuous-wave DFB laser diode is supplied with a carrier for easy handling and to enable chip-on-carrier production. Samples are available in September 2002, with volume production scheduled for January 2003.

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Definitions
[1] DWDM = Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing

[2] ITU = International Telecommunications Union

About Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation offers a diverse range of optoelectronic products for SDH, SONET, CWDM, DWDM, data communication, and FITL applications, as well as passive optical network systems, test and instrumentation applications, and CATV distribution. The company markets its optoelectronic products in North America through the Electronic Device Group of Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc.

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and its North American affiliate, Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc., are world-class suppliers of semiconductors and electronic products for communications, industrial, Internet-enabled, automotive, and visual applications. Mitsubishi Electric combines its systems-level expertise and high-level silicon process technologies to provide chip, chipset, and system-on-chip solutions. The company is ranked among the top-tier worldwide semiconductor suppliers and offers an extensive range of semiconductor and computer system components for the North American marketplace, including DRAM, flash, SRAM, ASIC, ASSP, MCU, microwave/RF, and optoelectronic devices.

Additional information on the Mitsubishi Electric Semiconductor Group is available at http://www.mitsubishichips.com/.

Trademark Information
Mitsubishi and the Mitsubishi logo are registered trademarks of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation in the U.S.A., Japan, and other countries.

Keywords
Mitsubishi, optoelectronic, DFB laser diode, continuous wave, DWDM, 40 Gigabit, 40 Gbps, 40 Gb/s, long reach.