January 2015 Vol. 13 No. 1

View from the Top

• Hiromichi Shinohara, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of R&D Strategy Department, NTT

  

  Overview
  Information and communication technology (ICT) has become an indispensable part of our lives supporting finance, education, medical care, and public administration. What kind of viewpoint or behavioral pattern must experts and specialists have in order to develop innovative technologies for achieving a safe and secure society? We sat down with Representative Director and Senior Executive Vice President Hiromichi Shinohara to find out how NTT deals with this question as a leading company.

Feature Articles: R&D on Devices Using Life-assist Technologies

• Trends in ICT Involving Life-assist Technologies to Address Social Challenges

  

  Abstract
  Various social challenges exist, and some have become serious issues in recent years, for example, the rising cost of medical care due to our aging society and the declining population, and also the increasing infrastructure maintenance costs. Many solutions based on information and communication technology (ICT) are being advocated in various fields and domains. In this article, we review technical trends in ICT directed towards such social challenges, and we introduce life-assist technology that has been developed based on device research and development at NTT laboratories as a new innovative approach to meeting these challenges. The potential use of life-assist technology in gathering and analyzing data on the conditions of people or infrastructure to predict abnormalities could play a major role in preventing illnesses or accidents.

• Development of Applications for a Wearable Electrode Embedded in Inner Shirt

  

  Abstract
  NTT has developed a conductive fabric called hitoe that enables continuous measurement of the biological signals of the person wearing it. Heartbeat variations and electrocardiogram signals detected through hitoe are transmitted wirelessly by a compact dedicated device to a smartphone or tablet, where they can be readily checked using an application. Such technology is expected to lead to the creation of new services in fields such as sports training, health enhancement, security and safety, medical care support, and entertainment. In this article, we introduce some examples of approaches to application development.

• Blood Flow Observed with Smartphone–Ultracompact Wearable Blood Flow Sensor

  

  Abstract
  The flow of blood that circulates through the entire human body and supports life changes dynamically with our emotional and physical state and reveals a huge amount of information. If the flow of blood could be easily visualized in our daily lives, we could expect to see a range of useful applications in areas such as health, beauty, and sports. In this article, we introduce an ultracompact, wearable blood flow sensor that is linked to a smartphone, making it possible to view the flow of blood anywhere and at any time.

• MicroTAS for Biosensors

  

  Abstract
  Micro-total analysis systems (microTAS) are expected to be useful in daily healthcare applications in the near future because of their ability to measure biological information from molecules in the human body. This information is now assessed using sophisticated analytical systems at specialized institutes. MicroTAS is based on microfluidics, a multidisciplinary field that involves precise control of fluids at the sub-millimeter scale. A microfluidic device handles liquid just as an electronic device handles electricity. In this article, we introduce microTAS technology currently under development that makes measurement protocols as simple as possible through the use of microfluidics and enables end users to measure their health condition by themselves.

• Ultralow-power Sensor Node with Nanowatt Wireless Circuit Technology

  

  Abstract
  Wireless sensor nodes (WSNs) can be mounted on many kinds of objects in order to gather information about them. This enables a range of applications in areas such as healthcare, security, and traceability. This article describes very tiny, ultralow-power WSNs in which nanowatt wireless circuit technology achieves long-term driving without the need for maintenance.

• Terahertz Device Technologies for Ultrafast Data Downburst Applications

  

  Abstract
  Advances in medical imaging technology such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have made it possible to capture minute defects inside the human body. Correspondingly, the volume of such imaging data has been dramatically increasing. There is also a demand to access such medical data using mobile terminal devices. To accommodate this demand, a wireless system with extremely high throughput of 100 Gbit/s or more is essential to enable instant data downloading. In this article, we give an overview of recent progress in terahertz communications, particularly in front-end technologies, which hold high promise for realizing future ultrafast wireless link applications.

• Continuous Wave Terahertz Spectroscopy System Designed for Medical Field

  

  Abstract
  We have constructed a continuous wave (CW) terahertz spectroscopy system using photonic integration-compatible technology. This system is intended for use in the medical field as a miniaturized terahertz spectroscopy system, in contrast to the conventional pulsed wave method. This system can simultaneously measure the absorption and phase (dielectric constant) responses of a sample, and it exhibits a dynamic range of at least 75 dB at under 1 THz. In addition, we used the CW spectroscopy system to identify a new type of complex molecule crystal (cocrystal) formed from a molecule of a pharmaceutical drug and various coformers. Cocrystals have been developed for use in the pharmaceutical manufacturing field to improve the solubility and absorbability of medicines. By fixing the measurement frequency at the absorption peak of intermolecular interactions of those crystals, we obtained a two-dimensional distribution of cocrystals within a test tablet.

Regular Articles

• Color-temperature Correspondence: Its Nature and Its Impact on Object Temperature Perception

  

  Abstract
  Color cues are often used to represent information concerning temperature, with red typically being associated with warm/hot, and blue with cold. Recent research from NTT Communication Science Laboratories demonstrated that such correspondences between color and temperature are not merely a design practice derived from a common sense belief. Instead, they have an actual impact on our information processing efficiency and object temperature perception. These findings are useful for the development of multimodal interfaces whose purpose is to provide a holistic experience in telecommunication and virtual environments.

• DataBridge: Technology to Transfer Data Securely and Efficiently Between Terminals Connected to Different Networks

  

  Abstract
  NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories is working on enhancing operational efficiency and reducing operational errors. In this article, we introduce our product called DataBridge, which enables data to be transferred securely and efficiently between terminals connected to different networks.

Global Standardization Activities

• Report of ITU-T TSAG Meeting and Activities of NTT R&D European Representative Office

  

  Abstract
  The ITU-T TSAG (International Telecommunication Union, Telecommunication Standardization Sector, Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group) and Review Committee conducted meetings June 16−20, 2014. This document reports the results of deliberations on major issues in this TSAG meeting: revision of patent policy and the creation of two new Focus Groups. It also covers the activities of NTT’s R&D (Research and Development) European Representative Office based in Frankfurt, Germany with respect to major standards conferences in Europe.

New NTT Colleagues

• We welcome our newcomers to the NTT Group.

External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings

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