Tokyo, Nov 16, 2009 - (ACN Newswire) - NEC Corporation today announced a win for the first submarine-cable based integrated ocean observation system for the Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan. The system will be deployed in the sea off of eastern Taiwan in order to strengthen seismic andenvironmental observations in the area. Construction of the system is scheduled for completion in June 2011.

The submarine-cable based integrated ocean observation system consists of a variety of equipment, including ocean bottom seismograph andpressure gauge instruments, deployed at ocean observation points approximately 1,000 to 2,000 meters deep, which send real-time digital information to land via submarine optical fiber cable 24 hours a day.

The system will be installed from Toucheng, in eastern Taiwan, and extend offshore through 45 kilometers of submarine cable. The end of the cable is equipped with a node (enhanced branching device) that features a broadband seismograph, acceleration seismograph, tsunami pressure gauge, conductivity temperature and depth-sensor and underwater microphone. As part of an integrated ocean observation system, the node is also able to collect information on earthquakes and tsunami, in addition to integrated ocean environment observation. Furthermore, the node features a connector that enables new or replacement devices to be easily added.

Looking forward, the submarine cable will be extended to 150 kilometers, two more nodes will be added and a range of additional observation devicesare anticipated, including an APCD* (Acoustic Doppler Current Profile), underwater camera, lights and others.

This system utilizes technologies developed through research that was contracted to the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) for "development of a submarine network system" by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. It is part of the Ministry's research on "construction of an earthquake and tsunami observation system," which hasbeen implemented over a four year period starting in 2006.

NEC first constructed a submarine cable earthquake observation system off the east coast of Japan in 1979. Since then, NEC has deployed earthquake and tsunami observation cable systems throughout eight adjoining areas, including their planning and construction. These systems continue to reliably provide valuable information for observation centers based on land.

NEC aims to capitalize on its accomplishments and know-how from thesesystems in order to expand into additional regions and contribute to earthquake and environmental observations on a worldwide scale.

* The APCD (Acoustic Doppler Current Profile) is a device that uses sound waves to measure ocean water currents

About NEC Corporation

NEC Corporation is one of the world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of a diversified global base of customers. NEC delivers tailored solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron devices, by integrating its technical strengths in IT and Networks, and by providing advanced semiconductor solutions through NEC Electronics Corporation. The NEC Group employs more than 140,000 people worldwide. For additional information, please visit the NEC website at: http://www.nec.com.

Source: NEC Corporation

Contact:

NEC Corporation
Kosuke Yamauchi  
k-yamauchi@ce.jp.nec.com
+81-3-3798-6511