January 2025 Vol. 23 No. 1

Front-line Researchers

• Toshikazu Hashimoto, Senior Distinguished Researcher, NTT Device Technology Laboratories

  

  Abstract
  As data traffic on networks continues to rapidly increase, highspeed, high-capacity, low-latency communications using light will make it possible to address such huge growth in data traffic. The Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) will not only further enhance these features of optical communications but also reduce energy consumption. Optical communications use the properties of light as a wave to transmit digital signals. Although the world of information processing is digital, manipulating light waves in an analog manner makes it possible to process information faster while using less energy. Toshikazu Hashimoto, a senior distinguished researcher at NTT Device Technology Laboratories, is endeavoring to build neural networks and quantum computers by manipulating light waves in an analog manner. We spoke to him about his research on optical device technology for computing using light and its applications as well as his thoughts on the importance of collaborating with people outside one’s organization to be stimulated, learn, and take on a difficult challenge.

Rising Researchers

• Ryo Masumura, Distinguished Researcher, NTT Human Informatics Laboratories

  

  Abstract
  Artificial intelligence (AI) technology continues to advance, and the spread of generative AI using large language models is making it more accessible. However, the AI services currently offered are mostly specialized in specific functions, such as facial recognition, voice recognition, translation/summarization, and text generation. We have not yet reached the point where we can create an AI service that integrates all of these functions. NTT Distinguished Researcher Ryo Masumura is working on MediaGnosis, a project that connects multiple AIs with expert knowledge to make integrated decision-making like the human brain. We spoke with him about the various challenges involved in creating integrated AI services resembling a human and the mindset required for this research.

Feature Articles: Fixed-mobile Convergence Services with IOWN

• Activities for Fixed-mobile Convergence Services in the IOWN Initiative

  

  Abstract
  The IOWN Product Design Center within the NTT IOWN Integrated Innovation Center formulates and drives development and dissemination strategies for the implementation of a fixed-mobile convergence network, which provides seamless and highly experiential end-to-end communications, allowing users access without any requirement that they be aware of the access method or the type of terminal used, whether mobile or fixed. We are also studying how the All-Photonics Network, a key technology in the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) initiative, applies to network services and the creation of new value.

• Communication Control Platform for Advanced Real-time Communication

  

  Abstract
  To provide communication services over Internet Protocol networks, it is necessary to develop, for each service, a mechanism for controlling voice and video sessions on the basis of the various types of participating terminals and connections used, which prevents content providers from devoting their resources to enrich content in their communication services. This article introduces our research and development activities toward solving this problem that involve providing a communication control platform that can be applied to various communication services provided by network operators.

• Evolution of Fixed-mobile Convergence Networks Made Possible with the Reliable Control Pluggable Network Coordination Infrastructure

  

  Abstract
  Fixed-mobile convergence networks are enabled through tight collaboration across multiple domains such as access networks for mobile and fixed networks and datacenter networks. This article introduces the potential network evolution made possible by the Reliable Control Pluggable Network Coordination Infrastructure, which flexibly enables collaboration across network domains and enhances the reliability and quality of the entire network.

• Cognitive Foundation Collaboration Platform Technology for Enhancing the Intelligence of Radio Access Network Operation and Management

  

  Abstract
  Radio base stations in radio access networks (RANs) for 5th-generation mobile communications system networks are growing in number because of the adoption of microcells for the utilization of high-frequency bands and to increase network capacity. Standardization of RANs proposes new usages of network slices, such as smart factories. In addition to conventional device operations, more complex operations are thus required, such as power saving by putting radio base stations into sleep mode and network slice control. To enable such operations, it is necessary to add “intelligence” to operations so that network status analysis and control decisions can be executed autonomously. This article introduces the Cognitive Foundation Collaboration Platform technology that enables autonomous and intelligent control of RANs.

• Power-saving Enabler That Uses Software Technology to Reduce Network Power Consumption

  

  Abstract
  The amount of traffic flowing through networks is increasing yearly, and the increase in power consumption of network devices is becoming an issue. This article introduces research and development efforts to reduce power consumption by using software technology within the context of software processing of networks.

Regular Articles

• AI-powered Beamforming for Listening to Moving Talkers

  

  Abstract
  Speech enhancement extracts the voice we want to listen to from the background noise and is essential for speech applications, such as automatic speech recognition, to work effectively in noisy environments. This article introduces a novel beamforming technique that tracks the speaker’s movement and keeps extracting the target speaker’s voice, even when the speaker is moving while talking. Beamforming requires spatial information of the target source and interfering signals such as the direction of arrival. We discuss our previously proposed method to estimate time-varying spatial information by incorporating powerful artificial intelligence technology. This method enables high-performance beamforming even when the target speaker is moving.

Global Standardization Activities

• TM Forum Latest Trends

  

  Abstract
  As we look ahead to sixth-generation mobile communications networks and networks of the future, we share the latest status of the TM Forum discussions on artificial intelligence (AI)-powered automation of operations. There are active discussions on autonomous networks, which is an overall discussion on automation; Open Digital Architecture, which is a business support system/operations support system architecture to achieve automation; and application programming interfaces for business creation in collaboration with various industries such as through B2B2X (business-to-business-to-X). There are also discussions on issues related to the organizations and human resources of telecommunications operators, particularly with a view to applying AI to operations.

External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings

• External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings