October 2024 Vol. 22 No. 10

View from the Top

• Hidehiko Tanaka, Senior Vice President, Head of Technology and Innovation General Headquarters, NTT DATA Group Corporation

  

  Abstract
  In July 2023, NTT DATA shifted to a three-company structure consisting of NTT DATA Japan Corporation, which operates a business in Japan, NTT DATA, Inc., which operates a business outside Japan, and NTT DATA Group Corporation, the holding company that oversees the two aforementioned companies. Under the slogan “Realizing a Sustainable Future,” NTT DATA is promoting a sustainable management. We interviewed Hidehiko Tanaka, senior vice president, head of Technology and Innovation General Headquarters, NTT DATA Group Corporation, about the technology strategy and vision of NTT DATA under the new structure.

Front-line Researchers

• Masayuki Abe, NTT Fellow, NTT Social Informatics Laboratories

  

  Abstract
  Security incidents such as data breaches and cyber attacks are being frequently reported. In the event of such an incident, cryptography protects essential information. If the information stolen or leaked was encrypted using a strong cryptography that cannot be decrypted, the information is merely a series of “1”s and “0”s and cannot be tampered with. With the spread of the Internet, cryptographic technologies are widely used in e-commerce such as online shopping and cryptocurrency. Encryption and decryption are done through computer-based computations, but as computer performance improves, they are becoming more complex to ensure robustness. We talked with NTT Fellow Masayuki Abe of NTT Social Informatics Laboratories, who is researching cryptography, about a new method that uses cryptography for safely buying and selling information, new developments in zero-knowledge proofs, a technique for proving a certain statement is true without revealing additional knowledge, and his thoughts on creating a comfortable community where researchers respect each other.

Rising Researchers

• Koji Azuma, Distinguished Researcher, NTT Basic Research Laboratories

  

  Abstract
  Quantum mechanics emerged a century ago. It abandoned the deterministic worldview that underlies classical mechanics for a more general theoretical system. It is now believed that everything should be described by quantum mechanics. Furthermore, in our efforts to rethink the theoretical system for information processing based on the classical worldview within the framework of quantum mechanics, it has become clear that even information processing tasks that were previously considered intractable can now be performed within the framework of quantum mechanics. For this issue, we interviewed NTT Distinguished Researcher Koji Azuma, a leader in the field of quantum network research at NTT, about his current research and his mindset as a researcher.

Feature Articles: Keynote Speeches and R&D on Access Networks Presented at Tsukuba Forum 2024

• Social Well-being Achieved through Social Infrastructure That Is Friendly to People and the Planet

  

  Abstract
  With the emergence of generative AI (artificial intelligence), the world is becoming more convenient; however, electricity consumption is increasing, and environmental problems are becoming more serious. By personalizing products and services to meet diversifying needs from a market-in perspective, while using energy-saving technologies and IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network) access networks as new human and Earth-friendly industrial and social infrastructure, we can achieve social wellbeing. This article is based on the keynote speech I presented at Tsukuba Forum 2024 held in May 2024.

• Creating “Connections to the Future”

  

  Abstract
  In this article I introduce a sense of society (creating connections to the future) targeted by the NTT EAST Group as a Social Innovation Partner toward a prosperous society through the social implementation of advanced technologies. With this goal in mind, I also introduce NTT EAST Group efforts in “self-enhancement” and examples of initiatives for creating new regional value in collaboration with other companies and society. This article is based on the keynote speech I presented at Tsukuba Forum 2024 held in May 2024.

• Creating New Value: Access Networks to Support a Sustainable Society

  

  Abstract
  NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories is undertaking research and development (R&D) on access networks, which link customers to NTT central offices. Amid these efforts, we are producing cutting-edge access network technologies that accelerate the implementation of IOWN (the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network) to create new value and promote sustainability. Our R&D on access network technologies is also leading to the diversification of service, smarter operations, and the development of new business areas. This article introduces these latest technologies.

• R&D Activities to Implement an Access Network for the IOWN Era

  

  Abstract
  NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories is conducting research and development to support access networks in the fields of optical fiber access, infrastructure, access system, wireless access, and operation technologies. To advance the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) from concept to implementation by 2030, we introduce our vision of a future access network and our efforts to implement it.

• R&D of Innovative Optical Fiber Facility Technologies

  

  Abstract
  NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories is promoting research and development (R&D) of optical fiber facility technologies that contributes to the sustainable development of communications networks. This article outlines the R&D of large-capacity and advanced optical fiber facilities for the All-Photonics Network, which is one of the three key elements of IOWN (the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network) concept advocated by NTT. This article also introduces the R&D activities of optical fiber facilities in response to social changes and demands such as the decrease in the working population, diversification of communication services, and reduction in environmental impact.

• Wireless Technology Supporting People to Live a Fulfilling Social Life

  

  Abstract
  NTT laboratories are engaged in the research and development (R&D) on wireless communication technologies to meet various requirements for the wireless devices, communication schemes, applications, and usage scenarios that are diversifying as we enter the 6G (sixth-generation mobile communication system)/IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network) era. This article introduces NTT’s Cradio^®, which embodies a set of multi-radio proactive control technologies, and related advanced R&D technologies.

Regular Articles

• Transponder Aggregator for 64-degree CDC-ROADM Nodes

  

  Abstract
  Colorless, directionless, and contentionless reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexing (CDC-ROADM) nodes will require throughputs exceeding 8 Pbit/s by 2035, and transponder aggregators supporting high-degree and multi-band functionality will be crucial devices. We demonstrated a low-loss multicast switch capable of supporting a 300-nm bandwidth and 64 degrees, a suitable device for this purpose. The prototype’s insertion loss was less than 8.0 dB in all paths, and the extinction ratio exceeded 40 dB.

Global Standardization Activities

• Report on the 36th Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Standardization Program Forum (ASTAP-36)

  

  Abstract
  The 36th Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Standardization Program Forum (ASTAP-36) was held on May 20–24, 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. More than 150 experts (including 39 remote participants) from 18 nations/regions gathered for four days of standardization discussions and industry workshops. This article outlines the key points of ASTAP-36.

Practical Field Information about Telecommunication Technologies

• Case Study of Voice Disconnection During Calls on the Hikari Denwa IP Telephone Service due to DHCP Conflicts

  

  Abstract
  This article describes a case study of a failure in which voice calls on the Hikari Denwa IP telephone service were being disconnected due to DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) conflicts. This is the eighty-fourth article in a series on telecommunication technologies.

External Awards

• External Awards