October 2015 Vol. 13 No. 10

View from the Top

• Tetsuya Shoji, President & CEO, NTT Communications

  

  Overview
  NTT Communications has made a string of acquisitions in overseas IT (information technology) companies and has achieved its target of 278 billion yen in overseas sales of cloud services ahead of schedule. In the highly competitive ICT (information and communication technology) global market, what does the company have to do to grow into a true global brand? We asked Tetsuya Shoji, President & CEO of NTT Communications, to tell us about the company’s vision and specific strategy for the future.

Feature Articles: The NetroSphere Concept―Breathing New Life into Carrier Networks

• The NetroSphere Concept and Network Architecture

  

  Abstract
  The NetroSphere concept was devised by NTT laboratories to guide the development of communication network technology for the future. The aim is to provide customers and service providers with a network that provides the services they require at high speed, with high reliability, and at low cost by adopting an architecture in which a diverse range of functions can be used flexibly. This article outlines the aims of the NetroSphere concept and the network architecture that supports these aims.

• Implementing the NetroSphere Concept at NTT

  

  Abstract
  NTT announced the NetroSphere concept in February 2015 as a new research and development (R&D) vision that aims to provide a variety of services in a prompt, low-cost, and reliable manner to customers and service providers who use the network. To implement the NetroSphere concept, NTT Information Network Laboratory Group is conducting R&D in diverse areas ranging from network architecture to virtualization, hardware, and operations. This article introduces these R&D activities.

Feature Articles: Transport Network Management Platform Technology

• Transport Network Management Platform Technology for Achieving Common Operation among Multiple Network Elements

  

  Abstract
  Research is underway at NTT Network Service Systems Laboratories on a unified element management system (EMS) platform that will achieve efficient network operation. Many types of network elements (NEs) are deployed on NTT networks. We need to operate various EMSs that are configured for a specific NE in order to manage the different types of NEs. Consequently, the use of multiple EMSs increases the operating cost and the operator workload. We are working to solve this problem by studying a unified EMS, which we call transport network management (TM) platform technology, that can manage various kinds of network technologies. We present the concept and core technologies of TM platform technology in this article.

• EMS Development and Deployment Using Transport Network Management Platform Technology

  

  Abstract
  NTT Network Service Systems Laboratories is promoting practical development of element management systems (EMSs) for various network elements by focusing on transport network elements and taking advantage of the transport network management (TM) platform technology we developed. We developed EMSs by using TM platform technology (TM-EMS) in order to integrate a human-machine interface for each network-element operation system, provide a unified interface for the network management system, and enable efficient flow-through operation. We introduce the EMSs we developed in this article.

• Development of User Interface Assist Platform Using Transport Network Management Platform Technology

  

  Abstract
  We introduce here the User Interface Assist Platform, which enables the short-term and low-cost development of element management systems (EMSs). Such EMSs make it possible to achieve easy operation of network elements (NEs) when operation requirements are simple, such as when the network management operation requires simple commands or a single command for a single NE.

Regular Articles

• High-sensitivity Avalanche Photodiode and Receiver Optical Subassembly Technology for 100-Gbit/s Ethernet

  

  Abstract
  We have developed a 25-Gbit/s avalanche photodiode (APD) with an inverted p-down, triple mesa structure and a 100-Gbit/s (4 × 25-Gbit/s) APD receiver optical subassembly (APD-ROSA). The APD-ROSA includes a monolithic four-channel APD array and an ultrasmall planar-lightwave-circuit demultiplexer. In a performance evaluation, the APD achieved a record minimum receiver sensitivity of −20 dBm and 50-km error-free transmission without an optical amplifier.

• Development of World’s Highest Density Ultra-high-count and High-density Optical Fiber Cable (2000 Cores)

  

  Abstract
  With the diversification of network services, we can expect an increase in optical demand. To provide these services in a timely manner, we must utilize the limited number of available underground facilities both economically and effectively. We have developed the world’s highest density ultra-high-count and high-density cables (2000 cores), an underground closure, and a water sensor module, which contribute to the effective use of underground facilities.

Global Standardization Activities

• Image and Video Coding Related Standardization Activities of ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29

  

  Abstract
  This article reviews recent standardization efforts related to image and video coding of the ISO (International Organization for Standardization)/IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). We first review the aim of international standardization of media coding. Then we discuss the standardization process and explain some of the signature standards and their widespread ripple effects. Finally, we introduce recent trends and activities toward next-generation coding technologies that will possibly be standardized in the near future.

Practical Field Information about Telecommunication Technologies

• A Case Study of a Problem that Occurred in Downstream Device of VoIP Gateway

  

  Abstract
  This article describes a problem that occurred in a VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) gateway and the actions taken to rectify it. This is the thirty-first article in a bimonthly series on practical field information on telecommunication technologies. This month’s contribution is from the Network Interface Engineering Group, Technical Assistance and Support Center, Maintenance and Service Operations Department, Network Business Headquarters, NTT EAST.

External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings

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