As streaming music and video becomes a common service, there is growing interest in Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH), an optical communication system that provides high-speed, stable bandwidths to each household. Since around 2010, Mitsubishi Electric has contributed to FTTH by providing optical devices such as FP-LD, DFB-LD, EML, and APD. Currently, 10G-EPON and XG-PON, which are faster communication systems, are being installed. For the future, discussions are underway for the standardization of HS-PON as a next-generation FTTH system. Mitsubishi Electric maintains its edge in FTTH applications through its corresponding product lineup and new product development.
Optical Devices for 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS)
The 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system will offer ultrahigh-speed communication, low latency, and ultra-multiple connections. As such, the 5G mobile communication system is expected to become used widely around the world. With the increase in communication traffic, optical devices that support mobile base station networks are also required to operate at higher speeds, over a wider temperature range, and have higher reliability. Mitsubishi Electric utilizes the industry-standard TO56 package to expand the connectivity of various products such as 25 Gbps DFB and EML. We are also developing 100 Gbps EML CAN for the future as well as services that will support the application and market growth of 5G mobile base stations. With these initiatives, Mitsubishi Electric is geared to support the market growth of 5G mobile base station applications in the future.
Data centers have been expanding as a platform for storing and distributing digital contents such as social media, photos, and videos on the ever-increasing Internet. In recent years, with the shift from on-premise-type to cloud-type storage, and the expansion of various cloud computing services, data centers are expected to grow as a platform that provides the foundation and infrastructure for cloud computing services. For the data center market, which requires advanced technologies, Mitsubishi Electric provides high-speed, low-power optical devices that contribute due to their unique characteristics of compound semiconductors.
Compared to LEDs, semiconductor lasers have lower power consumption, higher output, and can be used with optical systems that have a higher maximum aperture. These considerable advantages mean that they can be used for projectors that do not require focal adjustment. Mitsubishi Electric has a range of lasers available, including a multi-mode semiconductor laser with a wavelength below 640 nm and 3.8 W output (when pulse-driven), or 2.1 W output (when CW-driven), that provides highly visible, vibrant red colors for color projectors.
