June 2022 Vol. 20 No. 6

Front-line Researchers

• Hiroki Takesue, Senior Distinguished Researcher, NTT Basic Research Laboratories

  

  Abstract
  As the miniaturization of complementary metal-oxide semiconductor electronic circuits that underpin computer technology approaches its limit, the end of Moore’s Law—which suggests that the performance of digital computers increases exponentially over time—has become a reality. Therefore, research on new types of computers that use physical phenomena to efficiently (and at high speed) solve specific problems that digital computers cannot solve easily is being actively carried out. We interviewed Senior Distinguished Researcher Hiroki Takesue, who has published a series of world-leading results in this field of research, about his research achievements and his attitude as a researcher.

Rising Researchers

• Taiki Fukiage, Distinguished Researcher, NTT Communication Science Laboratories

  

  Abstract
  High-quality, low-latency, and energy-saving video generation is foreseen to become a requirement in next-generation interactive media. We spoke to Dr. Taiki Fukiage, a distinguished researcher who is aiming to establish an image-generation technology that is both human- and environment-friendly through the construction of visual models.

Feature Articles: NTT Group’s Initiatives for Creating New Value in the Food and Agriculture Sector

• NTT’s Vision for the Future of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries—Simultaneously Improving Production Capacity and Sustainability

  

  Abstract
  The NTT Group has set agriculture, forestry, and fisheries as one of its priorities. In particular, we are working to implement Smart Agri—namely, optimizing the entire food value chain from breeding to production, distribution, sales, and consumption by using the Group’s cutting-edge technologies, assets, and services and collaborating with forward-thinking partners. In response to growing concern about global environmental issues, we have begun new initiatives that will enable the agricultural industry to coexist in harmony with nature while improving its production capacity. This article describes issues concerning the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries industries and provides an overview of NTT Group’s initiatives, specific examples, and future developments related to such industries.

• An Urban-circular Ecosystem in Which Food Waste from a Company Cafeteria Is Recycled Using an Ultra-compact Biogas Plant

  

  Abstract
  Methanization, which can produce biogas, a renewable energy source, is attracting attention as an approach to recycle food waste; however, the installation cost and the labor required for operation and management are becoming issues. Therefore, Biostock CORPORATION, an NTT EAST Group company, developed an easy-to-operate container-type biogas plant equipped with a remote monitoring system. In collaboration with NTT EAST, the company installed a commercial version of the plant at a demonstration field called NTTe-City Labo to verify the plant as part of an urban-circular ecosystem that generates energy and fertilizer by using leftover food from the cafeteria of NTT EAST headquarters in central Tokyo and waste from NTTe-City Labo’s farm fields.

• Development and Implementation of Connected Drones with Agriculture as a Starting Point

  

  Abstract
  In February 2021, the drone manufacturer NTT e-Drone Technology was established with a mission to promote the implementation of drones for creating a sustainable society. We, NTT e-Drone Technology, began operations by helping to build a regional hub by promoting the use of drones, starting with agriculture, which is a major industry in rural regions. Our efforts in the agricultural sector are primarily focused on in this article.

• Data-driven Soil Cultivation Promoted by NTT DATA

  

  Abstract
  To promote soil cultivation, we at NTT DATA are using information and communication technology to collect soil-diagnosis data and information on farming operations throughout Japan and compile a database of that information. This database will enable data-driven initiatives in the domain that has relied on past experience and intuition of farmers. The data in the database are normalized by conducting soil analysis using a nationally standardized method that makes it possible to understand not only the characteristics of individual fields but also regional characteristics. We have also developed and are testing a technology for measuring soil composition from satellite images as a means of reducing the time and labor required to collect soil samples for soil diagnosis.

• Selling Agricultural Products to Consumers Online through Marchel by goo

  

  Abstract
  NTT Resonant offers a consumer-to-consumer online marketplace called Marchel by goo. This article explains recent trends in the creator economy and in domestic and international e-commerce services and introduces Marchel by goo with a focus on agricultural products. The actual voices of those involved in agriculture, the technical issues involved in operating the service, and its future prospects are described.

Regular Articles

• How ICT Contributes to Carbon Neutrality

  

  Abstract
  To achieve carbon neutrality, we need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero at the global level by the middle of the 21st century. In September 2021, the NTT Group announced the new environmental and energy vision “NTT Green Innovation toward 2040,” which formulates that the NTT Group will not only aim for carbon neutrality in 2040 but also contribute to reducing the environmental impact of society by simultaneously expanding the adoption of Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) technologies and new information and communication technology (ICT) services. ICT can potentially contribute to reducing environmental impact in many sectors through optimizing production and consumption activities, improving energy efficiency, reducing the movement of people and goods, and so on. Therefore, ICT is expected to help us achieve a carbon neutral society. This article introduces our estimation model for analyzing the potential contribution of ICT usage to future environmental load reduction and economic growth. By covering the targeted 36 ICT services that are widely used or will spread in the near future in Japan, including those provided by NTT, this model will quantitatively analyze the environmental and economic impact of introducing these ICT services by 2030.

Global Standardization Activities

• Optical Network Technology for Future Ultra-high-capacity Communications in the Beyond 5G and Big Data Era

  

  Abstract
  The optical network is key to the ultra-high-capacity and highly reliable communications infrastructure for addressing the demand of rapidly increasing traffic and diversified services, which will be manifested with further development of 5G (fifth-generation) and beyond mobile communication services and applications including Internet of things, high-definition video, big-data analysis, and artificial intelligence. This article gives an overview and recent trends in standardization of optical network technology, mainly focusing on the ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union, Telecommunication Standardization Sector) Study Group 15.

Practical Field Information about Telecommunication Technologies

• Salt Damage in RT-BOXes: Investigation and Countermeasures of Salt-damage Environments

  

  Abstract
  This article provides an overview of salt-damage maps, describes a case study of salt damage in remote-terminal boxes (RT-BOXes) installed in coastal regions, and introduces methods of implementing environmental investigations and countermeasures against salt damage in RT-BOXes. This is the seventieth article in a series on telecommunication technologies.

External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings

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