2 11 月, 2022

NTT DOCOMO: Achieving 1-Mbps/300-m underwater transmission and wireless remotely operated vehicle (ROV) using underwater acoustic communication

TOKYO, Nov 2, 2022 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - The NTT Corporation, NTT DOCOMO, INC, and NTT Communications Corporation performed a joint experiment on achieving broadband wireless communication, and we succeeded at 1-Mbps/300-m underwater transmission in a shallow sea area (water depth of about 30 m) using underwater acoustic communication(1) in field experiments.Fig. 1 Diagram of field experimentsFig. 2 Positioning of our achievementFig. 3 System of wireless ROVThese experiments demonstrated the world's first 1-Mbps wireless transmission over 300 m in a shallow sea area using spatio-temporal equalization technology(2) for broadband transmission and improved resistance technology for environmental noise(3). In addition, we developed a wireless remotely operated vehicle (ROV) using these technologies.NTT and DOCOMO started considering applying these technologies to the Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN)(4) for "5G Evolution & 6G powered by IOWN," and we have started study on extending coverage to underwater areas, which have been unexplored for high-speed wireless communication. In addition, NTT, DOCOMO, and NTT Communications are going to experiment in Shizuoka Prefecture in an underwater equipment inspection using this wireless ROV.These technologies will be introduced at the "NTT R&D Forum - Road to IOWN 2022"(5) scheduled to be held from November 16 to 18, 2022.1. BackgroundThere is demand for high-speed underwater wireless communication, which is one of the unexplored areas targeted by NTN technology. There are plans to realize "ultra-coverage extension" for "5G Evolution & 6G powered by IOWN" that combines the next-generation communication technology 6G with IOWN(6) technology. Underwater wireless communication is divided into three types: low-frequency electromagnetic field communication that uses radio waves, optical wireless communication that uses light, and acoustic communication that uses sound waves. We focus on acoustic communication that allows for stable long distance transmission in shallow areas, and we have been working to further increase the distance and transmission rate, enabling high-definition underwater video transmission and wireless ROV, which will dramatically improve workability and efficiency in undersea resource development, underwater construction, and fisheries.2. Introduction of technologies2.1 Underwater acoustic communicationFig. 1 shows a diagram of these field experiments. The transmitter has a transducer array with 5 different resonant frequencies (Right picture of Fig. 1) and an acoustic communication modulator. It transmits broadband modulation signals from 10 transducers in total. The receiver has a 16-hydrophone array (Left picture of Fig. 1) and an acoustic communication decoder. It demodulates received signals with the array.We were successful at the world's first 1-Mbps wireless transmission over 300 m in a shallow sea area with a spatio-temporal equalizer to reduce the impact of delay spread and Doppler effect(7) with a waving sea surface that are 200,000 times slower than land mobile communication and improved resistance technology for environmental noise to reduce the impact of impulsive noise(8) from things like a pistol shrimp's impulse wave.2.2 Positioning of our achievementFig. 2 shows the positioning of our achievement. In shallow sea areas, long-distance stable communication is difficult because of the impact of impulsive noise from things like a pistol shrimp's impulse wave. However, our technologies make 1-Mbps/300-m underwater transmission possible. They are more ten times faster than conventional technologies. This is equivalent to the transmission rate required for streaming movies at SD quality (H.264, 480p, 30 fps) and can be applied to real-time degradation diagnosis by transmitting images of underwater equipment and quay walls.3. Wireless ROVNTT developed a wireless ROV using these technologies. Fig. 3 shows the system for the ROV. The ROV can be controlled on a ship while checking real-time underwater video. The transmitter sends a control signal to the ROV. The ROV moves and shoots on the basis of this control signal and transmits streaming data to the acoustic demodulator on the ship. With this wireless control, the ROV can be operated remotely while real-time underwater video is checked, even in narrow areas with reefs and structures that are difficult to navigate with the conventional tether cable ROV. It is possible to improve the workability and efficiency of underwater facility inspections using underwater drones.In addition, NTT, DOCOMO, and NTT Communications are going to perform experiments for the "Shizuoka Marine Trial Field Center"(9) promoted by Shizuoka Prefecture through an underwater equipment inspection using this wireless ROV. The role of each company is as follows:[Role]NTT - Realize wireless ROV with underwater acoustic communication and operate ROV in field experiments.DOCOMO - Investigate applicability of undersea acoustic communication with NTN technology of "5G Evolution & 6G powered by IOWN."NTT Communications - Environmental preparation for experiment implementation in the demonstration field. - Evaluation of serviceability with a view to commercialization of undersea wireless communications.4. UpcomingThe ROV is expected to be deployed in areas where the conventional tether cable ROV already operates, leading to further expansion of the ROV market. Today, the market for ROV in Japan and overseas is increasing by about 10% annually, but this achievement is expected to further expand the market. NTT Communications is going to work toward practical application in the field of fisheries (for example, marine environment surveys in the aquaculture industry)and to expand the use of underwater drones in other fields such as port facility inspections and the entertainment industry such as diving.(1) Underwater acoustic communication:This is a technology that applies acoustic communication technology underwater for transmitting information to various devices within the hearing range by superimposing a special sound (trigger sound) that can be communicated with sound emitted from a speaker.(2) Spatio-temporal equalization technology:This technology suppresses the deterioration in communication quality due to waves reflected from the sea surface by suppressing part of the reflected waves from the sea surface and the seabed in the spatial domain using array technology that uses multiple receivers.Reference: IEICE Communications Society Magazine, 2022, vol. 15, issue 4, pp. 284-297"Emerging Technology Papers: Spatio-Temporal Equalization Technology for High-Speed Underwater Acoustic Communications" www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bplus/15/4/15_284/_article/-char/en(3) Improved resistance technology for environmental noise:A technology that suppresses characteristic deterioration caused by environmental noise, such as the plosive sounds generated by pistol shrimp, sailing sounds of ships, and working noises of heavy machinery used in coastal facilities, which are frequently observed in shallow water areas at depths of several tens of meters.Reference: NIKKEI Business Communication, 2022, vol. 59, no. 9, pp. 26-29"Further Evolution of 'Spatio-Temporal Equalization Technology' to Achieve High-Speed Underwater Acoustic Communication" www.bcm.co.jp/site/2022/09/mirai-net/2209-mirai-net-01-03.pdf(4) Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN):This is a network that uses non-terrestrial media such as satellites and HAPS to extend the communication area not only on the ground but also in the air, sea, and space.(5) NTT R&D Forum 2022 Road to IOWN www.rd.ntt/e/forum/NTT R&D Forum Road to IOWN 2022 from November 16 to 18, 2022New window(6) IOWN:Technology development roadmap for realizing the IOWN concept https://group.ntt/en/newsrelease/2020/04/16/200416a.html(7) Doppler effect:When an object that emits waves such as sound or light moves, this phenomenon occurs in which the frequency shifts due to the relative speed difference between the transmitting side and the receiving side. When approaching, the wavelength is compressed, and the frequency increases; when moving away, the wavelength is stretched, and the frequency decreases.(8) Impulsive noise:This is noise that occurs suddenly in time and frequency. In underwater acoustic propagation in shallow sea areas, it corresponds to the plosive sound generated by the pistol shrimp.(9) Shizuoka Marine Trial Field Center:This is a one-stop service provided by the Incubate & Promote New Industry Organization of the Shizuoka Chamber of Commerce & Industry for conducting various demonstration experiments and PoC for the promotion of the marine industry and conservation of the marine environment. For details, please refer to the website of the Incubate & Promote New Industry Organization: www.nio-s.net/fieldc/index.htmlAbout NTT DOCOMONTT DOCOMO, Japan's leading mobile operator with over 84 million subscriptions, is one of the world's foremost contributors to 3G, 4G, and 5G mobile network technologies. Beyond core communications services, DOCOMO is challenging new frontiers in collaboration with a growing number of entities ("+d" partners), creating exciting and convenient value-added services that change the way people live and work. Under a medium-term plan toward 2020 and beyond, DOCOMO is pioneering a leading-edge 5G network to facilitate innovative services that will amaze and inspire customers beyond their expectations.https://www.docomo.ne.jp/english/. Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

31 8 月, 2022

Electronics Asia Conference 2022 Puts Spotlight on IoT, Automotive Electronics, Wireless Technologies, and the Semiconductor Supply Chain

The global semiconductor revenue is expected to reach $661 billion in 2022, up by 13.7% year-over-year, according to International Data Corp. (IDC). While industry demand was driven by the industrial and automotive industries in 2021, IDC expects 5G, consumer electronics, wireless technologies, datacenters, and wearables will continue drive demand this year.The Asia Pacific region, which dominated the global semiconductors market in 2021, is projected to exhibit the highest growth rate from 2022 to 2028, mainly driven by the surge in the adoption of high-end devices and growing demand for consumer electronics, according to market analyst BlueWeave Consulting.In particular, the Internet of Things (IoT) market in Asia-Pacific region (APEJ) will continue to grow this year, accelerating by 9.1% from 6.9% in 2021, according to IDC. Despite supply chain issues and geopolitical tensions, rising demand for remote operations, better network coverage, and the deployment of commercial 5G and testbeds are driving IoT adoption in the region, which in turn is expected to boost IoT spending to $436 billion in 2026, IDC notes.And it is the ecosystem of semiconductor device makers, equipment manufacturers, and raw materials suppliers, with the support of the academe and government institutions, that are enabling these technology developments.To put the spotlight on the key players and the latest technologies and trends in the electronics and semiconductor industry, AspenCore, the publisher of EETimes Asia, EETimes India, and EDN Asia, will hold the inaugural Electronics Asia Conference (EAC) 2022 on October 18–20, 2022.The three-day event will feature a virtual conference and exhibition, highlighting the latest technology trends, innovations and developments, and strategies to help the electronics and semiconductor industry stakeholders navigate the challenges, take advantage of, and build new opportunities in the current global manufacturing landscape.With the theme "Gearing Up for Growth: Electronics and Semiconductor Technologies Driving Industry Developments in Asia," EAC 2022 will put the spotlight on industries and applications including IoT, wireless technologies, automotive electronics, and the supply chain.Confirmed companies presenting at the virtual conference include Arm, Arrow Electronics Inc. (NYSE: ARW), Cadence Design Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNS), Chip 1 Exchange, Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX); Nordic Semiconductor (NOD.OL), NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI), MosChip Technologies (BOM: 532407), Mouser Electronics, Silicon Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ: SLAB), SMITH, STMicroelectronics (EPA: STM) (NYSE: STM), and Texas Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: TXN).For more information and to register, visit Electronics Asia Conference (EAC) 2022.About AspenCoreAspenCore is a unique collection of brands and products that have set the standard in meeting the demands of today's engineers.We reach over 15 million technologists, designers, engineers, and managers. We connect this electronics community to reliable news, authoritative analysis, industry trends, and daily information on new technology.Our brands include EE Times, Electronic Products, EPSNews, ESM China, IoT Times, Power Electronics News, EDN, EEWeb, Electro Schematics, Elektroda.pl, Embedded.com, Planet Analog, and more.For more information, visit https://aspencore.com.Contact Person:Celia ShihMarketing ManagerTaiwan/ASEAN Marketing and Circulation DepartmentT: +886 227591366 Ext. 103/222E: celia.shih@aspencore.com Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

23 5 月, 2022

NEC and Toyota Technical Development Develop Stable Wireless Control System for Cars and other Moving Objects in Factories

TOKYO, Japan and AICHI, Japan, May 23, 2022 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - NEC Corporation and Toyota Technical Development Corporation today announced the development of a stable wireless control system for cars and other moving objects in factories and warehouses.This system pairs NEC Wireless-connection Stabilization Software (NOTE) with communication modules developed by TTDC, which are then mounted onto cars, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and the like to ensure stable communication that is free from disruptions and interference. By resolving these issues of roaming-based communication with moving objects, the developed system enables real-time data acquisition and command transmission, helping to increase the productivity and efficiency of production sites.This system has already been introduced at the Motomachi Plant of Toyota Motor Corporation and is contributing to efforts to boost productivity using wireless communication inside the plant.The two companies intend to apply the knowledge gained through this partnership to systems that perform wireless control of AGVs, machine tools, robots, and the like, collect inspection data, and transmit programs for Toyota Motor Corporation and other customers in the manufacturing field.The digital transformation (DX) of the manufacturing field through automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) is accelerating as companies aim to boost productivity and respond to growing labor shortages. In particular, there is an increasing need for highly reliable and low-delay wireless communication systems for AGVs and robots used over wide areas or across different processes. Stable wireless communication is recognized as a serious issue in factories and warehouses that are full of equipment and facilities that block radio waves and make flexible changes in production lines difficult.This system developed by NEC and TTDC realizes stable communication with moving objects by maintaining strong wireless reception, identifying low-interference communication paths with other wireless devices in real time, and seamlessly switching to these paths.System Characteristics:1. Real-time identification of high-quality communication paths and rapid switchingUsing NEC's proprietary technology, this system identifies usable communication bands in real time based on how congested the bands are as well as the field strength of the access points, enabling seamless transition to high-quality communication paths and access points. This enables stable wireless communication even in environments where levels of reception and congestion are constantly changing.2. Use of existing access points through network virtualization technologyAgain using NEC's proprietary technology, this system creates a virtual image of the entire wireless communication space and switches to the appropriate communication paths on this virtualized network, stabilizing the wireless connections without the use of sophisticated access point functions. This allows the system to be used with existing access points and network equipment.3. Simple mounting onto moving objects using a compact moduleUsing TTDC's proprietary technology, this system was implemented within a compact module (board size: 72 x 44 mm) for simple mounting in a wide range of moving objects with limited installation space.This system will be showcased at the Wireless Technology Park (WTP) 2022 exhibition to be held at Tokyo Big Sight from Wednesday, May 25 to Friday, May 27.(NOTE) This solution was developed by NEC using research results from the Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP Phase 2)/Physical Space Digital Data Processing Infrastructure project run by the Cabinet Office of Japan with management support from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), as well as research results from the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT).About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of "Orchestrating a brighter world." NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com. Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)

30 4 月, 2021

Hidden Champions among Chengdu’s Technology Companies

CHENGDU, CHINA, Apr 30, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - From February 23rd to the 25th, the 9th Mobile World Congress (MWC) was held in Shanghai, China. A number of technology enterprises from Chengdu showed up with their innovative achievements and cutting-edge technologies. These companies are lesser-known companies - relatively unknown, small or midsize, and worldwide leaders in their markets. You may see them grow slowly, compete in stable markets, and prefer to shun publicity to avoid attracting competition. They also concentrate on developing their own specialties, avoiding such currently popular management practices as diversification, strategic alliances, and outsourcing. Though not well known to the general public, in their fields of expertise, they are known as the "hidden champions."XpowerIt Tech: Pioneer of the "All-Wireless Era"At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in February this year, OPPO showed a scroll concept phone that can achieve complete wireless "remote charging." The phone uses a high-frequency magnetic resonance wireless charging technology solution, which comes from XpowerIt Tech, an enterprise from the Chengdu High-tech Industrial Development Zone.Yu Yiqiang, founder and Chairman of XpowerIt Tech, introduced the technical framework of this high-frequency magnetic resonance coupling technology. The company then launched a new generation of magnetic resonance wireless charging technology - "RiCharge," which is the world's first wireless charging technology solution with the possibility of mass production and matches both international and domestic safety standards. It also marks the transformation from wired charging and contact charging to the current medium- and long-range remote charging, truly realizing charging methods in an "all-wireless era." In the past 6 years, XpowerIt Tech has grown into a leader in the field of wireless charging in China.Coxsat: New Power in 5G EraAs new infrastructure construction develops, the 5G era is accelerating like never before. In stadiums, large factories, stations, and other people-intensive places, which need large-capacity and large-bandwidth network, 5G millimeter-wave (MMW) small base station shows its great advantage. As one of the rare manufacturers in the world that can provide co-aperture dual-polarization MMW small base station, Coxsat unveiled a series of products, including 5G MMW small base station and MMW phased array antenna.From unknown to famous, Coxsat has experienced 7 years of extreme dedication. As the first bid winner of China Mobile's 5G MMW base stations in China, Coxsat has cooperated with many large domestic equipment manufacturers. In 2021, Gexie will focus on the commercialization of 5G MMW and satellite communication phased array antenna products, providing full support for 5G networks to enable various industries.Chengdu NTS: More than a Behind-the-Scenes HeroBased on years of experience in the development of RF communication products, Chengdu NTS has launched 5G open base station products and solutions and formed strategic cooperative relations with many domestic and international operators.With the advent of 5G era, Chengdu NTS adopts self-developed DPD algorithms and high-efficiency technologies to take the lead in launching 5G white-box RRU and has achieved interconnection with a number of mainstream BBU manufacturers around the world to jointly launch 5G open base station products and solutions.From relying on a large enterprise to assisting 5G to enable various industries, Chengdu NTS has been widely deployed in the global operator market and has accumulated rich experience in the development and industrialization of RF products, which has demonstrated its technological innovation for decades.Why Are These "Hidden Champions" Born in Chengdu?The "Chengdu Paradigm" of technology innovation revolves around their innovation platform, talent policy, financial support, and so on.Talents are the primary resource. The "Talent New Policy" has attracted more than 410,000 young talents to the city, making the city the winner of the "Top 10 Most Attractive Cities for Talent in China" award continuously. As a result, Chengdu ranked 47th in the Global Innovation Index in 2020.Universities are important platforms for basic research. By establishing a collaborative innovation mechanism of "Urban Development Partnership" between universities, institutions, enterprises, and local government, the city has signed strategic cooperation agreements with 18 well-known universities such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, bringing a number of innovative projects into practice.In addition, Chengdu has vigorously implemented the program for supporting new and high-tech enterprises. In 2020, the city encouraged enterprises to invest 10.46 billion CNY in R&D through incremental awards and subsidies for research and development, up by 3.608 billion CNY.There are many other steadily developing high-tech enterprises which are constantly overcoming technological hurdles in Chengdu since innovation-driven development has always been the choice and consensus of this city aiming at future development.Media Contact:Chenxi Zhang, 36KrE-mail: zhangchenxi@36kr.com Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)