April 2016 Vol. 14 No. 4

Feature Articles: Keynote Speeches at NTT R&D Forum 2016

• Hiroo Unoura, President and Chief Executive Officer, NTT

  

  Abstract
  This article introduces NTT Group initiatives towards advanced application of the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data. The contents of the article are based on the keynote lecture presented by NTT President and Chief Executive Officer Hiroo Unoura at NTT R&D Forum 2016 held February 18−19, 2016.

• Hiromichi Shinohara, Senior Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President of Research and Development Planning, NTT

  

  Abstract
  This article introduces NTT’s research and development (R&D) activities designed to create new value by providing cutting-edge technologies and also through collaboration with various partners toward realizing a better society. This article is based on the keynote lecture presented by Hiromichi Shinohara, NTT Senior Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President of Research and Development Planning, at NTT R&D Forum 2016 held February 18−19, 2016.

Feature Articles: NTT Tsukuba Forum 2015 Workshop Lectures

• NTT’s R&D Activities Focused on NetroSphere Concept

  

  Abstract
  In February 2015, NTT announced the development of a future communication network concept called NetroSphere that is aimed at providing a wide range of rapid, flexible, low cost, and secure services to customers and service providers. This article presents an overview of the concept and the research activities that NTT laboratories are carrying out to bring it to fruition. These Feature Articles are based on presentations made at the Tsukuba Forum 2015 Workshop held on October 16, 2015.

• Technology Driving FTTH and Future Developments

  

  Abstract
  The Optical Access Network Project underway at NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories is a media network technology-related research and development (R&D) initiative. This article introduces the R&D that is driving FTTH (fiber-to-the-home), the latest optical access network technologies, and other future developments.

• Operations Technologies to Improve Work Efficiency and Create Value

  

  Abstract
  The Access Operation Project of NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories is focused on the research and development of operations systems in access networks. This article introduces the roles that operations play in the NetroSphere concept, the environment that we seek to realize through operations, and different navigation technologies implemented to realize efficient execution of tasks without affecting existing systems.

• Access System Technologies for Service Diversification

  

  Abstract
  NTT Access Service Systems Laboratories has been actively conducting research and development (R&D) of the fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) service for the access system. FTTH was commercially introduced some 20 years ago. This article reviews the technical innovations created for FTTH systems and discusses current R&D activities in access system technologies focused on the diversification of services.

Regular Articles

• Gait Analysis Using a Wearable T-shirt Type Sensor

  

  Abstract
  NTT has developed a T-shirt type sensor that enables continuous measurement of the heart rate of the person wearing it. The sensor links to a smartphone, with which the user can easily see the measured heart rate variation. Vital signs such as heart rate variations will be more valuable when combined with information on the situation or activity context of the user. We developed a new method to analyze the user’s gait information by using a three-axis acceleration sensor built into the T-shirt type sensor. We describe in this article the gait analysis procedure and an example of the result of continuous measurement for one day. This method is easily implemented as an application in a smartphone and enables simultaneous measurement of heart rate variation and gait information.

• Drift Transport of Helical Spin Coherence in Semiconductors

  

  Abstract
  Spatial transport of electron spins and their electrical manipulation are fundamental technologies in the emerging field of semiconductor spintronics, where the spin degree of freedom is used as an information carrier in a device. Images of the spatial distribution of drifting spins were obtained using Kerr rotation microscopy in a GaAs quantum well where special symmetry of the spin-orbit interaction, namely a persistent spin helix (PSH) condition, was achieved. By efficiently suppressing the spin relaxation in the PSH state, we were able to demonstrate long-distance transport of electron spins over 100 μm and electrical control of the spin precession during drift transport. In a PSH condition, the frequency of the spin precession shows significant anisotropy, reflecting the dependence of effective magnetic fields on crystal orientation. A theoretical model reproduced the spin distributions well and revealed that the spin decay length was maximized near the PSH condition. The robustness of the spin coherence with respect to the variation of transport trajectory was also confirmed by employing a time-dependent in-plane electric field perpendicular to the drift direction. Further development of this technique will advance the field of semiconductor spintronics, including the physics of spin-charge coupled systems as well as applications for future spin devices.

Global Standardization Activities

• Report on ITU Telecom World 2015

  

  Abstract
  ITU Telecom World 2015, which is sponsored by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), was held at HUNGEXPO, an international exhibition hall, in Budapest, Hungary, October 12−15, 2015. Approximately 4000 people from 129 countries took part in the event. The Japanese presence included exhibits in the Japan Pavilion organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and a Japan Session, in which a lecture was given on the topic Society Construction with a Sense of Security - Making Full Use of “IoT” for Future Progress. This article presents an overview of the exhibition and the lectures.

Practical Field Information about Telecommunication Technologies

• Long-term Durability of Humidity-controlling Polymer

  

  Abstract
  This article describes an evaluation of humidity-controlling polymer that was tested for use in telecommunication facilities. This is the thirty-fourth article in a bimonthly series on telecommunication technologies. This month’s contribution is from the Materials 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