June 2021 Vol. 19 No. 6

View from the Top

• Hiroshi Tanabe, Senior Executive Vice President and Senior Executive Manager of Digital Transformation Headquarters, NTT EAST

  

  Overview
  In today’s society, in which technological innovation and market changes are accelerating, NTT EAST is committed to solving problems of local communities while valuing the ties that it has cultivated with those communities over the more than 100 years in the telephone business. We interviewed Hiroshi Tanabe, senior executive vice president of NTT EAST, about his thought on the use of technology to solve social problems and why he has been focusing on helping front-line employees shine.

Front-line Researchers

• Masaaki Nagata, Senior Distinguished Researcher, NTT Communication Science Laboratories

  

  Overview
  Research on machine translation using neural networks has made rapid progress, and the accuracy of machine translation has improved considerably. Although websites and smartphone apps providing machine translation have become more popular, issues with accuracy remain. To address such issues, researchers are studying more advanced translation technology that reflects context, situation, and culture. We interviewed Masaaki Nagata, senior distinguished researcher at NTT Communication Science Laboratories, who is researching context- and situation-based neural machine translation, about the progress of his research and what it means to be a researcher.

Feature Articles: Challenges of NTT Space Environment and Energy Laboratories toward Ultra-resilient Smart Cities

• Research and Development on Technologies for Transforming the Global Environment from a Space Perspective

  

  Abstract
  NTT Space Environment and Energy Laboratories was established in July 2020 to develop innovative technologies for regenerating the global environment and achieving a sustainable and inclusive society. We are the first NTT laboratories with “space” in our name, but our purpose is not to conduct research on space itself. Rather, we study the Earth from the perspective of the space environment, including the Sun, and take on challenging studies with the aim of transforming the future of the global environment from dynamic viewpoints.

• Next-generation Energy-utilization and CO₂-conversion Technologies Contributing to Zero Environmental Impact

  

  Abstract
  This article outlines next-generation energy technologies to enable the use of overwhelmingly clean and inexhaustible energy sources, which are expected to be put to practical use, and carbon dioxide (CO₂)-conversion technologies to effectively fix CO₂ and reduce the total CO₂ emissions of business activities to zero or less.

• Energy-distribution Platform Technologies toward Zero Environmental Impact

  

  Abstract
  The use of renewable energy has been increasing, but further adoption will require effective distribution of energy and energy resilience. The Energy Network Technology Group of NTT Space Environment and Energy Laboratories is researching and developing virtual energy demand/supply control technology to enable full use of renewable energy and next-generation energy-supply technology based on direct current microgrids to provide a stable supply of power to regional areas even if the supply of commercial power is interrupted. This article introduces these technologies.

• ESG Management Science and Technology for a Sustainable and Inclusive Society

  

  Abstract
  We introduce ESG (environmental, social, and governance) Management Science and Technology for achieving a sustainable and inclusive society with respect to recent climate changes and problems related to human rights. We also analyze the relationship between the global environment and socioeconomic systems to predict the future and identify long-term corporate risks as well as opportunities for corporations to generate new revenue and enhance their corporate value.

• Proactive Environment Adaptation Technology for Living Safely and Securely

  

  Abstract
  Changes in the Earth’s environment are expected to have a significant impact on our social life. In this article, environmental adaptation technologies (technology to develop a platform for collecting and analyzing all types of information on the Earth, meteorological forecasting/control technology, lightning control technology, and electromagnetic barrier technology) for predicting various effects of changes in the Earth’s environment, responding to such effects proactively, and achieving a resilient society by enabling humans to adapt to such changes are introduced.

Feature Articles: Healthcare Devices and Infrastructure-maintenance Technology that Support People and Society

• The Future Pioneered by Device Technology for a Sustainable Society

  

  Abstract
  The research and development NTT is conducting to create a sustainable society, specifically regarding human health and aging infrastructure, is outlined in the following Feature Articles in this issue. After the trends toward solving social issues in Japan and overseas are briefly described, the direction of smart-healthcare and infrastructure-maintenance technologies―which use device technology cultivated by NTT laboratories―is discussed. Research results and cutting-edge technologies that are about to be put into practical use and be used for prevention and maintenance by grasping and estimating the conditions of people and infrastructure are also introduced.

• Physical-condition Management Technology for Creating More Comfortable Work Sites

  

  Abstract
  Physical-condition management is becoming more important to improve the safety of work sites, such as preventing heat stroke caused by intense heat. We at NTT Device Innovation Center have developed a physical-condition management technology for creating more comfortable work sites by using the wearable-device sensors and data-analysis technology we have developed thus far, and the knowledge of thermal and exercise physiology in collaboration with specialists. This article introduces the problems with physical-condition management, how our technology can solve these problems, and the results from verifying our technology at an actual work site.

• Non-invasive Biological-information Sensing Using Photoacoustic Measurement Technology

  

  Abstract
  Biological-information sensing technology for simplifying the measurement of blood components without drawing blood has been attracting attention. NTT has been researching and developing biological-information sensing using photoacoustic measurement technology that combines the ability of light to selectively measure specific biological components and the ability of sound (ultrasound) to propagate through the human body. In this article, we introduce non-invasive biological-information sensing technology using photoacoustic measurement technology with the aim of collecting various types of information from within the body.

• Derusting Technology Using High-power Laser Device

  

  Abstract
  Rust removal in narrow spaces that are inaccessible to human hands or electric tools is a challenge in derusting operations essential in prolonging the life of steel towers and other communication infrastructure facilities supporting communication services. We are developing technologies for efficient derusting using high-power laser devices developed by NTT. In this article, we introduce a compact and lightweight derusting technology incorporating a high-power laser device called a diffractive optical element.

• Technology for Predicting Hydrogen Embrittlement in Reinforcing Bars of Concrete Poles

  

  Abstract
  A concrete pole, which is an important part of the communication infrastructure supporting communication services, requires significant maintenance costs to ensure its safety. If hydrogen embrittlement, a phenomenon by which reinforcing bars in concrete poles deteriorate, could be accurately predicted, it would be possible to maintain and manage concrete poles more safely and economically. A technology for predicting hydrogen embrittlement in reinforcing bars inside concrete poles that involves using an accelerated-hydrogen-embrittlement test and statistical data analysis is introduced.

Feature Articles: Encryption and Security Technologies for Creating a Safe and Secure Society

• Security R&D Initiatives for Creating a Safe and Secure Society

  

  Abstract
  To talk about the future vision of security research and development (R&D) that NTT is working on, it is important to think not only about the problems in front of us but also about the future of society and security. This article introduces security R&D initiatives for the future.

• Data Sharing and Utilization Technologies for Safe and Secure Value-creation Processes

  

  Abstract
  To achieve Society 5.0, a vision of a future society that achieves both economic development and resolution of social issues, it is essential to use data across organizations and industries, but this is not as widespread as it should be. This article outlines the risks associated with data utilization and their causes and introduces a new paradigm of data sharing and the platform and key technologies to achieve it.

• Establishment and Development of Cybersecurity Technologies to Solve Problem of Increasing Operation Costs and to Minimize Damage

  

  Abstract
  While responding to new cybersecurity threats such as cyber attacks, we will radically improve the efficiency of security operations by developing technologies for autonomous and automated security measures. Such technologies will enable operators to concentrate on countermeasures against advanced threats that cannot be handled mechanically and enhance overall security-response capabilities.

• Security Based on Quantum Information Technology and Data Protection of Quantum Information

  

  Abstract
  Quantum information processing is expected to have unique security applications such as communication security and copy protection based on physical principles in addition to high-speed computation. For the practical use of quantum information processing, fault-tolerant processing is essential to protect quantum information from noise, and fault-tolerant processing for quantum communication based on quantum repeaters is the key for networking. We introduce our efforts in this area in this article.

Regular Articles

• Neutron-energy-dependent Semiconductor Soft Errors Successfully Measured for the First Time

  

  Abstract
  Problems caused by neutron-induced soft errors in electrical devices are becoming increasingly common in various applications. The neutron-energy-dependent soft-error rate is indispensable for evaluating the frequency of such errors in different neutron environments. We observed the energy-dependent neutron-induced soft-error rates continuously over the energy range of 1−800 MeV at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, USA. This measurement was made possible with a method we developed that uses extremely fast circuits built into field-programmable gate arrays coupled with a neutron time-of-flight technique.

Global Standardization Activities

• Recent Standardization Activities of Optical Connectors in IEC

  

  Abstract
  Optical communication networks and datacenters worldwide use a huge number of optical connectors made in many countries. Optical connectors are products that require precise components because a dimensional error of only 1 μm can affect the optical signal quality. To ensure the compatibility of connectors, it is essential to internationally standardize the component shapes, connector performance, and the measurement methods for testing them. This article introduces the standardization activities and recent trends in optical connectors.

Practical Field Information about Telecommunication Technologies

• Sulfur Damage and Its Countermeasures in Telecommunication Equipment and Facilities

  

  Abstract
  This article introduces cases of corrosion caused by hydrogen sulfide in telecommunication equipment and facilities and countermeasures against it. This is the sixty-fourth article in a series on telecommunication technologies.

External Awards

• External Awards