June 2024 Vol. 22 No. 6

View from the Top

• Sachiko Oonishi, Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development Market Strategy, NTT Corporation

  

  Abstract
  In 2023, the Research and Development Market Strategy Division was established at NTT Corporation. Its mission is to create new value by combining research and development on the basis of the conventional product-out approach with marketing while being committed to creating an exciting future. We asked Sachiko Oonishi, NTT executive vice president, head of Research and Development Market Strategy, about the Division and her mindset as a top executive.

Front-line Researchers

• Tomoharu Iwata, Senior Distinguished Researcher, NTT Communication Science Laboratories

  

  Abstract
  Large language models and generative artificial intelligence for images are increasing in popularity. Their accuracy is improved by training them with a vast amount of documents and images. If vast amounts of data are unavailable, however, it is difficult to achieve high accuracy. Meta-learning for attaining high accuracy through learning to learn with a small amount of training data has been attracting attention as an approach to solving this problem. We interviewed Tomoharu Iwata, a senior distinguished researcher at NTT Communication Science Laboratories, about research trends and future directions concerning meta-learning and his mindset of staying interested in and enjoying research.

Rising Researchers

• Daisei Uchida, Distinguished Researcher, NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories

  

  Abstract
  Today, as data capacity continues to increase, the demand for communications capable of higher transmission speeds and capacity is increasing. For sixth-generation mobile communication system (6G) wireless, which is scheduled to be put into practical use around 2030, extreme-high-speed and high-capacity communications with a wireless transmission speed of 100 Gbit/s or more per user is being discussed. To achieve this, new breakthrough wireless technologies are required. In this article, we spoke to NTT Distinguished Researcher Daisei Uchida about wireless technology that enables high-frequency bands to be comfortably applied to mobile communications. He talked about a high-frequency-band distributed antenna system for 6G.

Feature Articles: Revolutionizing Living and Working Spaces with Personalized Sound Zone

• Development of a Personalized Sound Zone and Future Outlook

  

  Abstract
  Personalized Sound Zone (PSZ) is the ultimate sound space that enables a world in which one hears only the sounds one wants to hear and others hear only the sounds that one wants them to hear. It will enable new lifestyles in which people can enjoy work and entertainment experiences regardless of location, provide a new acoustic experience by merging real space and virtual sound space, enable self-driving cars in which people seated apart from each other can comfortably have conversations in a space as quiet as a living room, and improve the quality of life by enhancing hearing ability. These Feature Articles introduce the challenges involved in achieving PSZ.

• PSZ Spot-sound-reproduction Technology: New Sound-confinement Method Using Opposite-phase Sound Waves

  

  Abstract
  In response to the spread of telework and web conferencing as well as the growing need to value private time and space, we aim to create the ultimate private acoustic space, a Personalized Sound Zone (PSZ), that delivers only the sounds you want to hear and blocks the sounds you do not want to hear. As part of this effort, we have been researching and developing a new spot-sound-reproduction technology that confines unwanted sounds from speakers to a very small space. This technology will create an area where sound can only be heard near the speaker by appropriately controlling opposite-phase sound waves emitted from the back of the speaker. This technology will enable the NTT Group to provide a variety of unique PSZ audio equipment.

• Acoustic XR Technology Merging Real and Virtual Sounds

  

  Abstract
  With the spread of open-ear earphones that do not cover the ear, new listening experiences are being proposed that combines real ambient sounds with virtual sounds heard from earphones. At NTT, we call this merging of the real and virtual sounds through open-ear earphones “acoustic XR (extended reality) technology,” which we are now developing with a view to actual services. In this article, we describe this technology with a focus on actual trials and touch upon future developments.

• PSZ Active Noise Control and Desired Sound Selection Technologies for Creating a Comfortable and Safe Sound Environment in Vehicle Cabins

  

  Abstract
  Technologies for muting unwanted sounds and for letting wanted (must-hear) sounds pass through, which are elements of a Personalized Sound Zone (PSZ), are described in this article. The elemental PSZ technology for confining sound, called spot-sound-reproduction technology, is first described. The combination of this technology with the new active noise control technology and sound event localization and detection technology―and examples of their applications―are then introduced. Applying these technologies to in-vehicle sound control makes it possible to provide drivers of advanced safety vehicles with “superior ears” that can see the blind spots not shown in mirrors, radar, and cameras. These PSZ technologies act as an “ear” that not only enhances driver and passenger comfort but also greatly enhances safety and reliability while providing a sophisticated connection among the driver, vehicle, vehicle exterior environment, and automotive society.

• NTT sonority’s Pursuit of Innovation—New Businesses That Leverage PSZ and MAGIC FOCUS VOICE Technologies

  

  Abstract
  NTT sonority aims to create new lifestyle standards by leveraging two core sound technologies: Personalized Sound Zone (PSZ) technology, which confines sound to the ear without blocking the ears, and NTT’s patented MAGIC FOCUS VOICE technology that cuts out ambient sounds to deliver only the user’s voice. This article describes the foundation of our company, introduces our brand “nwm (pronounced noom),” showcases our flagship on-ear-speaker lineup, explores the dynamic landscape of the open-ear earphone market, and unveils our endeavors to develop the next-generation voice digital transformation service business, which began in 2024.

Regular Articles

• Millimeter-wave-based Drone Automatic Landing-guidance System for Advanced Maritime Operations

  

  Abstract
  Drones have gained increased interests from a variety of fields such as logistics and environmental measurements. In the maritime domain, their applications are wide spreading, including cargo transportation, weather observation, fishery exploration, red-tide monitoring, port management, and detection of illegal ships. However, safely navigating drones to ships is challenging due to the swaying caused by waves and the occurrence of poor visibility conditions such as fog and rain. To address this challenge, our team has been investigating a novel automatic landing-guidance system using high-resolution millimeter-wave radar, which is tolerant to weather conditions. With this system, radio frequency identification (RFID)-based wide-range navigation and passive-landing port-based surface-inclination estimation are implemented to consistently guide drones located at a distance to the landing point. Specifically, the system consists of a wide-range flight-guidance method and a surface inclination-estimation method, both of which require a millimeter-wave radar mounted on a drone. The flight-guidance method, called MilliSign, uses corner reflector array-based RFID tags and enables a drone to be guided to a landing point by using the embedded information and position information of the tag. The inclination-estimation method uses a special arrangement pattern of corner reflectors and enables precise inclination of the landing port on a swaying ship for determining the appropriate start time of landing descent. This article investigates the overall system, which consistently guides a drone at a distant point to a landing point for all-weather operation.

Global Standardization Activities

• Recent Trends in GlobalPlatform: Digital Trust − Evaluation & Certification, Trusted Execution Environment, and Digital Identity −

  

  Abstract
  In addition to Internet-of-Things security, such as zero trust and supply chain issues, the environment surrounding secure components is rapidly changing due to advances in digital trust technologies such as confidential computing and digital identity. This article introduces the standardization trends in GlobalPlatform in response to these latest changes in the security environment.

Practical Field Information about Telecommunication Technologies

• Case Studies of Telecommunication Problems Caused by Conducted Disturbance in AC Power Lines

  

  Abstract
  This article describes the mechanism of telecommunication problems caused by conducted disturbance in AC (alternating current) power lines and case studies of troubleshooting investigated by the Technical Assistance and Support Center, NTT EAST. This is the eighty-second article in a series on telecommunication technologies.

External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings

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