January 2022 Vol. 20 No. 1

Front-line Researchers

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

  

  Abstract
  Today, everything is digitalized. In the creative process, however, not only digital thinking but also analog thinking, which captures events as they are, is considered important. Toshikazu Hashimoto, a senior distinguished researcher at NTT Device Technology Laboratories, is researching and developing optical circuits to enable new information processing using the analog characteristics of light. We interviewed him about the progress of his research activities and his attitude as a researcher.

Rising Researchers

• Yosuke Todo, Distinguished Researcher, NTT Social Informatics Laboratories

  

  Abstract
  Cryptography is an essential technology for secure information communications. Types of cryptography include public-key cryptography and symmetric-key cryptography. Here, we’re talking to Yosuke Todo, a distinguished researcher who is working on building a basic theory for symmetric-key cryptography and researching purpose-specific cryptography.

Feature Articles: NTT Research: Open Collaboration to Upgrade Reality

• Opening Up about Our Collaboration Strategy

  

  Abstract
  There are several means of conducting scientific research. Corporations have traditionally adopted a proprietary approach. The academic world, by contrast, conducts research in a more open and collaborative manner. This article compares these two approaches in the context of basic and applied research; explains why NTT Research, a private company, has adopted an Open Lab model; and reviews how this is working out in practice.

• Making the Blockchain Ecosystem Secure, Scalable, and Sustainable

  

  Abstract
  In place of the centralized computation of the Internet’s current architecture, blockchain could be used to implement self-resilient or self-operating systems, as it upkeeps states with highly resilient mechanisms by design. Despite blockchain’s potential to correct problems associated with the current Internet ecosystem, there are several issues that need addressing within the blockchain ecosystem. These include security; the tradeoff between scalability and decentralization; and sustainability.

• The Future of Problem Solving: The Coherent Ising Machine Approach

  

  Abstract
  Several new computing models tackle combinatorial optimization problems. These include adiabatic quantum computation, also known as quantum annealing, and the coherent Ising machine (CIM). The Physics and Informatics Laboratories at NTT Research launched a CIM initiative, and NTT Basic Research Laboratories built large-scale CIM prototypes. This article reviews the CIM approach, results to date, and future research agenda.

• Bio Digital Twin Research Update

  

  Abstract
  The mission of the Medical and Health Informatics Laboratories at NTT Research is to make advancements in the medical and health sciences that will improve an individual’s overall wellness and health outcomes. Our bio digital twin initiative aims to create digital replicas of patients that physicians can then use to simulate various treatments to enable optimal and patient-specific therapeutics. This article provides recent updates on our projects and team members.

• A New Lab Exploring Emergent Matter from Light

  

  Abstract
  In September 2021, NTT Research unveiled its new smart workspace in Sunnyvale, California, called the NTT OneVision building. It is one of the first office buildings in Silicon Valley built for a post-pandemic vision of the workplace with collaboration-focused spaces, state-of-the-art health monitoring capabilities, and new layouts. The 35,100 square foot office building also contains a new optical laboratory for the NTT Research Physics & Informatics Laboratories (PHI Lab). The Sunnyvale optical lab supports multiple users and research themes. One specific design focus when planning the new lab was to provide ways to experimentally create and study many-body states of light, a specific example of which is the engineering of a bosonic fractional quantum Hall state using light. This article provides a brief review of our research agenda on quantum many-body states of light and details of the new lab.

Feature Articles: Research and Development of Security in the IOWN Era

• Security as Driving Force of the Future

  

  Abstract
  This article describes research and development (R&D) of security in the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) era to create a prosperous and enriching society. We seek to change the role of security to activating people and ideas. This new form of security will solve diverse problems related to security motivation in individuals, organizations, and society, convert ideas and computing resources directly into work, and ensure continuous security. We will achieve this through R&D based on the three pillars of theory, data-driven approach, and communication.

• Secure Optical Transport Network

  

  Abstract
  The implementation of an optical transport network, especially between datacenters, has been progressing. Similar to the Internet, communications on the optical transport network are protected by public-key cryptography and symmetric-key cryptography, but there are concerns that advances in the research and development of quantum computers will pose a risk to current cryptographic systems, public-key cryptography and key exchange in particular. In response to this problem, researchers at NTT Social Informatics Laboratories and NTT Network Innovation Laboratories are engaged in the research and development of safe key-exchange schemes to counter the cryptographic risks posed by quantum computers. They are also engaged in architecture design and tests with actual equipment with the aim of applying such key-exchange schemes to the optical transport network.

• Cryptographic Circuit Technology Consisting of Optical Logic Gates

  

  Abstract
  With the progress in nanophotonics, miniature optical devices have been fabricated and the research and development of optical logic gates has become active. We are researching cryptographic circuits consisting of optical logic gates for use in data encryption and authentication in optical computing and optical information communications on the All-Photonics Network, a key element of the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network. In this article, we introduce methods of implementing cryptographic circuits using optical logic gates for the Advanced Encryption Standard, which is one of the de facto standard algorithms.

• Trusted Data Space for Creating Value from Data in a Chain Reaction Manner

  

  Abstract
  The Smart World holds the possibility of maximizing the value of data throughout society by enabling diverse organizations to bring each other data for analysis and create data for new purposes in a chain reaction manner beyond the walls of companies and industries. In reality, however, the use of data among organizations goes no further than the provision of limited data to limited parties, which prevents a value chain from being achieved. This article introduces a new mechanism for data sharing called “trusted data space” as an initiative to solve this problem and describes key technologies for making it a reality.

Feature Articles: Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 and NTT R&D—Technologies that Colored Tokyo 2020 Games

• Initiatives toward a New Way of Experiencing and Supporting the Torch Relay
• Torch Relay Commemorative Photography × Ultra-realistic Communication Technology Kirari!
• Direction for Supporting Torchbearers × Swarm Communication Control Technology

  

  Abstract
  In connection with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay, NTT held NTT Presents Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay Celebration events in Yokohama and Osaka and presented a torchbearer-support program that welcomes torchbearers exchanging torch kisses using spatial-expression technology with robots. In this article, we introduce the control technologies used for the display bots that enabled the torchbearer-support program.

• Stage Production for Celebration of Torch Relay × Ultra-realistic Communication Technology Kirari!
• Torch Relay Regional Event × Voice-recognition Communication Technology

  

  Abstract
  To celebrate the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay, NTT held a hands-on event that enabled children from local elementary schools to cheer on the Torch Relay. During this event, we created a new cheering experience by developing a cheering-production system together with the elementary-school students that visualizes the cheers of the children as text using voice-recognition communication technology and sends the text cheers to the runners. This article introduces the event and cheering-production system.

Feature Articles: Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 and NTT R&D—Technologies that Supported Tokyo 2020 Games

• High-efficiency Wi-Fi Technologies

  

  Abstract
  NTT undertook the technical development and implementation of high-efficiency Wi-Fi technologies to provide spectators and related personnel a stress-free wireless communications environment at the Japan National Stadium and other venues of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. These technologies are expected to lead to new sports-viewing styles using the network of a venue and a variety of new services using a flexible network at events such as meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (commonly referred to as MICE).

• Network Security

  

  Abstract
  Events that attract worldwide attention, such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games and international exhibitions, have become easy targets for cyber attacks, and it is no longer rare to hear of reports of damage from such attacks. The Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 was held in 2021 after a one-year delay due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and NTT, as a Gold Partner (Telecommunications Services), had the responsibility of managing the network infrastructure supporting the Tokyo 2020 Games, thus dealing with the threat of cyber attacks. This article describes how NTT-CERT (NTT Computer Security Incident Response and Readiness Coordination Team) of NTT Social Informatics Laboratories faced cyber attacks as the representative computer security incident response team of the NTT Group.

Global Standardization Activities

• Report on ITU-T SG2 Standardization of Telecommunication Numbering

  

  Abstract
  The Working Party (WP) 1 of the International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) Study Group 2 has been engaged in the allocation and management of international telecommunication numbering, naming, addressing, and identification resources. Due to the recent migration to Internet Protocol networks and the rapid development and globalization of Internet-of-Things services and over-the-top services, the issues have been diversified. Since the problems of fraud by spoofing by telecommunication number misuse have increased, it has become an urgent topic for discussion. In the WP2, they discuss the issues concerning network management.
  This article mainly reports on the telecommunication numbering and identifications studied in WP1, subjected by the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly Resolutions.

External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings

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