January 2013 Vol. 11 No. 1

View from the Top

• Yasuyoshi Katayama, Senior Executive Vice President, NTT

  

  Overview
  NTT Group's three main business domains―fixed communications, mobile communications, and cloud services―are undergoing a variety of changes, and the communications industry itself is in a period of transition. What is the mission of the NTT Group, which has the goal of being the value partner that customers continue to select? We asked Yasuyoshi Katayama, NTT Senior Executive Vice President, to tell us about NTT's targets for 2013.

Feature Articles: Environmental and Energy Technologies for ICT Society

• Energy and Environmental Technologies Toward a Sustainable Society

  

  Abstract
  The Feature Articles in this issue focus on NTT's efforts to introduce environmentally friendly and energy-efficient technology in line with objectives to establish effective business continuity planning and, ultimately, to achieve a sustainable society. The Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 was a forceful reminder of the importance of both of these areas. This article presents an overview of NTT's energy management technologies that are bringing us closer to a sustainable society and reviews green infrastructure technologies that help conserve natural resources.

• Reducing Datacenter Energy Consumption Using Coordinated ICT-cooling Control Technology of Datacenter Energy Management System

  

  Abstract
  This article describes research efforts underway in NTT Energy and Environment Systems Laboratories in the area of datacenter energy management systems (DEMSs), which are systems designed to reduce energy consumption in datacenters and other telecommunication buildings. We present a new energy-saving system that comprises coordinated control of multiple cooling systems to minimize cooling power consumption, integration with information and communications technology (ICT) equipment to extend the benefits of the cooling-system controls, and high-speed data processing that can be adapted to large-scale datacenters.

• Secondary Batteries and Fuel Cells for Telecommunication Facilities with Improved Tolerance to Power Outages

  

  Abstract
  The long-lasting commercial power outage caused by the catastrophic earthquake in eastern Japan in 2011 demonstrated the importance of the power supply in providing continuous telecommunication services. This article introduces an approach to power supply to ensure that telecommunication services operate normally in all situations and describes the development of high energy density secondary batteries and highly efficient fuel cells to achieve energy storage and generation for that purpose.

• Increasing the Lifetime and Reliability of Telecommunication Plant Materials

  

  Abstract
  We are researching and developing techniques to strengthen the reliability and environmental adaptation of telecommunication facilities in order to increase their lifetime. This article introduces examples of techniques to determine the degradation of coatings on telecommunication steel towers. An application to lightning damage prediction is also introduced as a risk-based facility maintenance strategy to evaluate the need for maintenance depending on the degree of risk.

• Environmental Impact Assessment System

  

  Abstract
  We describe an environmental impact assessment system that was developed by the NTT Energy and Environment Systems Laboratories in response to a call for contributions to suggest ways of reducing the environmental load of information and communications technology (ICT) services provided by the NTT Group. We explain an approach to evaluating the effects of ICT services on the environment, the NTT Group Solution Environmental Label System, and the positioning of the system in attaining the objectives of THE GREEN VISION 2020.

Regular Articles

• Subsequence Matching in Data Streams

  

  Abstract
  Subsequence matching is a basic problem in the field of data stream mining, and dynamic time warping (DTW) is a powerful similarity measure often used for subsequence matching; however, the straightforward method using DTW incurs a high computation cost. In this article, we describe two subsequence matching problems in data streams—(1) the similarity between a query sequence and a data stream and (2) the similarity between data streams—and we present effective algorithms to solve these problems. We also introduce some applications using these algorithms.

• Evaluation of Earthquake Resistance of Shield-tunnel/vertical-shaft Connections and Countermeasure Technology

  

  Abstract
  This article describes a technique developed by NTT for assessing the need for earthquake-proofing measures in shield tunnels and introduces technology for effective and economical seismic-motion countermeasures.

• Highly Reliable 8K Video Transmission Technologies and Experiments over Global IP Networks

  

  Abstract
  NTT Network Innovation Laboratories has developed transmission equipment that uses high-efficiency forward error correction and multipath transmission technology to achieve highly reliable Internet Protocol (IP) transmission. We conducted joint experiments with NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories on Super Hi-Vision (8K) transmission between the UK and Japan using the international research and education IP networks. The experimental results confirmed the feasibility of video transmission under the large burst losses in shared IP networks.

• GEMnet2 R&D Testbed Network

  

  Abstract
  GEMnet2 is a testbed network for research and development that is operated by the NTT Service Evolution Laboratories. The network is connected to other research and education networks in Japan and other countries and is used in large-scale joint experiments being conducted with various research organizations. Here, we describe the configuration of the GEMnet2 network, explain the services provided and how they are being used, and introduce some of the main support experiments that are being conducted, including Super Hi-Vision video transmission experiments and high-quality virtual network construction technology verification experiments.

• Koemiru: ICT Tool for Special Needs Schools

  

  Abstract
  This article introduces Koemiru, our ICT (information and communications technology) system developed for special needs schools. Koemiru, which literally means "see the voice" in Japanese, uses speech recognition technology to support hearing-impaired elementary school pupils. Our system converts utterances into text and displays them on an interactive whiteboard and portable game terminals. Validation experiments were conducted in Okinawa and Tottori to identify the strengths and weaknesses of Koemiru.

Global Standardization Activities

• Standardization Trends in Proximity Contactless Communication Technology

  

  Abstract
  Services using proximity contactless communication such as NFC-enabled smartphones and contactless IC cards have been widely used in recent years (NFC: near field communication, IC: integrated circuit). We introduce the trends in proximity contactless communication technology from the viewpoint of international standardization.

External Awards

• External Awards