July 2025 Vol. 23 No. 7

Front-line Researchers

• Norio Kumada, Senior Distinguished Researcher, NTT Basic Research Laboratories

  

  Abstract
  Most active devices, such as transistors and photodetectors, currently used in information communications are based on semiconductors. Since the successful isolation of graphene in 2004, atomic-layer materials consisting of a single layer of atoms have attracted increasing attention. A variety of new materials have been discovered, along with novel phenomena and properties, paving the way for the development of next-generation devices that apply these unique properties. We spoke with Norio Kumada, a senior distinguished researcher at NTT Basic Research Laboratories, who is investigating the fundamental understanding and functional exploration of carrier dynamics in atomic-layer materials. We asked him about the results of his research, which aims to produce ultrafast devices by understanding the relationship between combinations of atomic-layer materials and their performance, as well as the enjoyment of the research process.

Rising Researchers

• Katsuhiko Nishiguchi, Distinguished Researcher, NTT Basic Research Laboratories

  

  Abstract
  Semiconductors are used in many familiar electrical appliances such as televisions, personal computers, and smartphones. As a semiconductor device, a transistor plays important roles such as amplifying and switching electrical signals. Artificial intelligence (AI), which has been attracting much attention, requires highspeed processing, which is contributing to a dramatic improvement in semiconductor performance. However, the development of new technologies and services based on AI requires huge amounts of electricity, so new measures to reduce power consumption and ensure future sustainable development are necessary. We spoke with Katsuhiko Nishiguchi, a distinguished researcher at NTT Basic Research Laboratories who has created the world’s only transistor that can control a single electron at room temperature and is aiming to pioneer revolutionary technology to reduce the power consumption of semiconductors.

Feature Articles: Frontlines of IOWN Development—Development of IOWN Hardware and Software and Social Implementation Activities

• Development and Demonstration of Use Cases for Social Implementation of IOWN

  

  Abstract
  This article introduces the initiatives of NTT IOWN Product Design Center, which is promoting the development and demonstration of use cases leveraging Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) technologies, with the goal of accelerating the implementation of the IOWN concept.

• Development of Device Technology for IOWN Implementation

  

  Abstract
  This article introduces the development of device-related technologies at NTT Device Innovation Center. Such devices can be broadly divided into signal processing, computing, optical interconnect, and life-assist. We describe each of these devices and related initiatives.

• Efforts to Develop Network Technologies for Practical Application of IOWN

  

  Abstract
  The Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) concept aims to implement an infrastructure for networks and information processing that provides high-speed, large-capacity communications and vast computing resources by using innovative technologies centered on optics. NTT Network Innovation Center is investigating the entire communications network, including infrastructure, access networks, core networks, network services, and operations, to apply the IOWN concept in society. This article outlines such activities of NTT Network Innovation Center.

• Data-centric Infrastructure for Enabling Practical Use of IOWN

  

  Abstract
  NTT Software Innovation Center (SIC) is working on implementing the concept known as the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN). In this article, SIC’s initiatives in regard to developing data-centric infrastructure (DCI) are introduced, focusing on the DCI exhibits at NTT R&D Forum 2024 and FUTURES Taipei 2024 as well as the DCI reference implementation models that were documented and published at the IOWN Global Forum.

Global Standardization Activities

• Standardization of Codec for Immersive Voice and Audio Services (IVAS) at 3GPP

  

  Abstract
  The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Service and System Aspects Working Group 4 (SA4) established the main specifications of the speech/audio coding standard: Immersive Voice and Audio Services (IVAS), in 2024 through a fully open collaboration by 11 organizations. IVAS is an extension of Enhanced Voice Services (EVS), which was established in 2014 and is widely used for smartphones worldwide. IVAS has signal-processing tools that support various multi-channel signal formats. During the development of the standard, NTT and Orange proposed an active downmix tool for stereo signals to enhance the quality of the compatible communications with EVS.

External Awards

• External Awards