High-Speed and Broad-Band Communication Systems in Japan

This paper presents the current state of each high-speed and broad-band system and the development of the high-speed and broad-band network (HBN) in Japan. System configuration of a video conference system, a video transmission system, a high-speed digital circuit system, and so on, are introduced. Fundamental technologies to realize HBN, 1) switching technologies to handle broad bit-rate class transmission, 2) high-capacity transmission and high-speed digital terminal technology, 3) economical fiber optic subscriber loop technology, and 4) high-performance video codec technology, are discussed. Based on the above discussion, configuration of HBN is proposed.     

Design of a Switched Broad-Band Communications Network for Interactive Services

The congestion in broad-band communications networks resulting from the increased demand for interactive services is considered. It is shown that services such as a video library could not be provided to the majority of subscribers in a conventional CATV network. A design is developed for a space division multiplex broad-band network which can be expanded at minimum cost to meet an increasing demand for interactive services. The network contains two signal distribution networks: a cablecast system similar to the Rediffusion system, and a switched communication network providing point-to-point circuits for both one-way and two-way services. All broad-band signals are transmitted to the subscribers in the 1- to 10-MHz spectrum, permitting the use of twisted pair video cables and a minimum number of cable amplifiers. The broad-band cable network (BCN) is organized around 15 local switching exchanges and one central exchange. Multipoint switches in local exchanges under wired-logic circuit control connect individual subscriber communication lines to any channel. Crosspoint matrix switching groups in the local and central exchanges connect communication circuits in the broad-band communication network under programmed computer control. This network is accessed via links terminating on one channel of the multiposition switches. Per-subscriber costs are estimated to be 190 dollars for a cablecast system serving 3800 subscribers. Additional expenditures per subscriber of 40 dollars for fixed costs and 40 dollars for variable costs would provide interactive services. The range of interactive services provided would be extremely flexible, including both one-way video library service and point-to-point two-way communications.     

Fiber Optic Transport Systems for Present and Future Local Networks

This paper describes fiber optic transport systems for present and future local networks. The present most important fiber optic system in a local network emerges as a broad-band video distribution system, because large-scale system introduction might be attained only for distributed video services. The system architecture and system parameters are presented. As for future integrated services, a highspeed digital transmission system and local network architecture are very important. The network architecture should be constructed to meet the demands for increased flexibility, capacity, reliability, and economy. Considering expected future demands and technologies, a new fiber optic local network architecture is proposed. The architecture's main features are the use of transmission processing nodes and a multilane-ring structure in subscriber transfer networks in combination with star-shaped subscriber access lines.     

High-Speed Digital Switching Technology Using Space-Division-Switch LSI's

NTT is planning a high-speed broad-band switching network that offers high-speed digital and 4 MHz video services. This paper discusses the hardware design of the high-speed space-division digital switching network and requirements for a switch LSI. In addition, the design and measured performance of a 32 × 32 CMOS space-division-switch LSI are described. In this network, video signals are converted into 32 Mbit/s digital signals by band-compression technology. In order to switch such digital signals, space-division switches are more advantageous than time-division switches. This is because time-division switches cannot multiplex many channels at that bit rate. Furthermore, the use of the space-division-switch LSI is the most effective way to miniaturize the switching system.     

Optical Fiber Facilities for Subscriber Loops

This paper gives an overview of the introduction and subsequent development of optical fiber cable and its application to subscriber networks enabling economical broad-band services, such as video and high-speed digital data transmissions. This paper also outlines NTT's developments on subscriber optical fiber cable technology-in particular, the five-fiber ribbon cable structure, mass-fusion splicing machine, and multifiber connector-in its ongoing endeavors to establish economical and flexible subscriber optical fiber networks which provide optical fibers to each subscriber.     

An Experiment in Integrated Digital Satellite Communications

The experiment we conducted for integrated digital satellite communications is aimed at realizing integrated services digital networks by satellite communication. The experiment was carried out in 1980 using the Japanese experimental communication satellite "CS." This experiment uses 30/20 GHz small earth stations and demand-assignment time-division multiple-access (TDMA) systems. Communications between customer terminals, which contain video conferencing, high-speed facsimile communication, high-speed computer communication, and packet-switching signal transmission, were carried out through the experimental digital satellite link. This paper describes the configuration of the experimental integrated digital satellite communications system and the experimental results of communications between customer terminals.     

Very high speed and high capacity packet switching for broadbandISDN

The authors discuss and propose a very-high-speed and high-capacity packet-switching (HPS) architecture for a future broadband ISDN (integrated-services digital network). The HPS network accommodates various communication services, such as voice, high-speed data, high-speed still picture, and video services. The proposed architecture has three significant principles: a high-speed oriented simple network protocol, separation of signaling and network control from data transfer, and hardware switching. These principles provide fast- and high-throughput transmission for data packets and reliable transmission and processing for call-control packets. The HPS protocol structure is addressed, which provides high flexibility for various communications services as well as high-speed capability. A 3-Gb/s capacity and building-block-structured packet-switching system architecture, using bus- and loop-type switch fabric, is also presented     

IPTV助推数字家庭时代的到来

不同行业都在关注数字家庭的发展，但数字家庭发展缓慢的现状不容忽视。现阶段来看通信和媒体娱乐业务是数字家庭市场需求的重点，基于电信网络的数字家庭通过借助IPTV的音视频和增值应用业务可以顺应此要求。IPTV业务包括基本的音视频广播、点播、时移业务，以及信息服务、音视频通信、互动游戏、即时通讯、卡拉OK、远程教育等增值应用服务，非常适合数字家庭的发展需要，将使数字家庭的应用变得更为现实。未来，进一步推动数字家庭发展需要在易用性和业务创新两个方面取得突破，需要通过设备间的协同工作，为用户提供基于数据、语音、视频的三重业务新体验。     

Applications of Future Braod-Band Services in the Office and Home

The demand for broad-band services in connection with numerous applications in the business and private sectors will be economically met in the future by the broad-band ISDN, the internationally standardized universal network for all services. Broad-band services and their applications can be roughly divided into four types of communication. The "dialogue" services include video telephony, video conferencing, and high-speed document and data transmission. "Retrieval" services cover film retrieval, broad-band videotex, document retrieval, high-definition image retrieval, and retrieval of graphics, text, and data. One representative of "access" services is cabletext. Of the "distribution" services, television is the most prominent. The demand for broad-band services in the office will depend primarily upon cost-effectiveness, and in the home will depend primarily upon anticipated benefits, cost, available purchasing power, and leisure time. In either case, prestige considerations may also play a part. The sine qua non for the fast spread of new broad-band services will at all events be-in addition to acceptable terminal equipment-low user charges.     

A Transmission Scheme for Integrated Services on Broad-Band Internal Private Business Networks

Internal business networks are expected to present an economic area of application for broad-band communications. A star network with switches optimized for various services is envisaged. An asynchronous switch for video in square wave frequency modulation (SWFM) format can provide a practical solution for full bandwidth switched video services. A transmission scheme is described which combines a SWFM video service together with synchronous PCM data and voice services, asynchronous data up to 9.6 kbauds and network clocks at both 2 MHz and 160 kHz for ISDN, so that all services destined for one terminal site may be transmitted in binary format on cable or fiber. An experimental link is described which provides up to 10 Mbit/s data capacity together with the video service. The hardware is constructed with 74HC family CMOS. An analysis of the effects of data modulation on video quality is given. Measurements of video S/N and distortion are reported. Measured bit-error rate in a 64 kbit/s data channel is reported. The measurements relate to a coaxial cable link with link lengths from 200 to 400 meters.     

3G wireless and cdma2000 1/spl times/ evolution in Korea

The cdma2000/spl reg/ I/spl times/EV-DV system is designed to meet the ever-increasing demand for high-speed packet data transmission while providing the same level of revenue generated by conventional voice communications on existing cdma2000 1/spl times/ systems. It supports concurrent voice and high-speed data on a single cdma 1.25 MHz carrier, and offers improved flexibility for operators to manage data and voice services cost efficiently. However, the Korean market has proved that providing higher bandwidth to the user does not guarantee the success of mobile data service. Users tend not to use expensive mobile wireless data services such as video streaming, video on demand, and MP3 music download service that they feel do not provide enough justification for their costs. The problem LG Telecom faces now as a mobile operator is not only to evolve technologies that enable various services, but also to find a way to provide attractive services at reasonable prices. This article describes experiences in the wireless data market in Korea as well as the market needs and driving forces for cdma2000 1/spl times/EV-DV developments.     

A perspective on the evolution of mobile communications

This article outlines the current state of mobile communications and presents some of the future directions in research and development from the perspective of NTT DoCoMo with special emphasis on the market in Japan. It first describes the directions in which mobile communications are expected to forge ahead in the future, and the service implementation strategies they could employ. Then it describes an example of mobile multimedia services and present an outline of the Freedom of Mobile Multimedia Access (FOMA), which is a service based on the 3G mobile communications system called International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT2000). This is followed by an overview of our R&D approach to 4G systems, which constitute mobile communications systems of the future, and the profile of technologies to make these happen. Finally, it reviews our approach to future technologies that are expected to be realized in 4G and subsequent systems, and illustrate it with an example of a research project.     

Home Communication Systems

New small-band and broad-band communication services will expand possible application for the user. For the benefit of these services, home communication systems are required with TV sets, video recorders, microcomputers, and telephones as key components. In the residential area a trend can be observed from single terminals for specific services towards multiservice home terminals. In-house transmission systems with future home terminals and today's development trends are described in this paper.     

GMN: a broadband multimedia communications service concept andfield trials

The Global Megamedia Network is a network service concept developed by NTT to be the key component in its information-sharing business strategy. The concept gives the architecture for providing full-fledged multimedia services during the next decade. It will be used to construct a high-throughput secure networking environment in which advanced multimedia services will be provided to customers in an easy and comfortable to use manner at an affordable cost. The GMN concept proposes the deployment of flexible and high-quality service provision platforms that enable high-performance networking (real-time transfer of megabytes of information), provide high functionality to make multimedia communications easy and comfortable, and provide services at about the same cost as existing telephony. This article first analyzes the market trends and customer needs we are facing in Japan. Then the GMN services concept and the network architecture for deploying services are explained. GMN-CL technologies are explained as the first step in developing full-fledged GMN services. Finally, NTT R&D's testbed network, called GEMnet, is described and the results of field trials are presented     

Universal personal communications: Emergence of a paradigm shift in the communications industry

It is postulated that today we are in the midst of a major paradigm shift in the communications industry. The essence of this paradigm shift is a transition from today's universal telephone service which has been perfected over the past 100 years, to a future communication service environment, referred to as universal personal communication. Under this new paradigm, communications will be person based in contrast to the predominantly location-based communication environment of today. Societal trends, evolving global standards for communication, regulatory policies, and emergent technologies are seen as the forces driving such a transition. Universal personal communications will be characterized by flexible access to universal services permittingmore enduser control which will result in personalization and customization of such services. Furthermore, the centralized intelligence focus of today's communication networks needs to evolve toward a focus where network intelligence can be migrated to the periphery of the core transport network. The viability of universal personal communication will be critically dependent upon how well it addresses the end customer value proposition. Two key elements of this proposition are transparency of mobility and personalization of service environments. A zonal service environment model which classifies and characterizes these various service environments in terms of common communication parameters is proposed. This model is built around hierarchical structures for both cellular and digital wireless transmission, and can be viewed as critical towards the realization of transparent mobility management and personalization of services.     

Fusion of digital television,broadband Internet and mobile communications—Part II: Future service scenarios

This is the second part of the tutorial paper following the previous tutorial paper describing enabling technologies in digital video broadcasting (DVB) system. The paper presents the current and future operational scenarios for DVB via satellite (DVB‐S) system. Review of the current state‐of‐the‐art technologies consisting of integration of broadband Internet and mobile communications and integration of broadband Internet and DVB are given. The future operational scenarios emphasize the fusion of DVB systems with other technologies in terms of network fusion and terminal fusion. For satellite service scenarios, it also takes into consideration mobility management and standard quality‐of‐service mechanism issues, such as integrated services and differentiated services. Several research directions for providing seamless services regardless of network, access technology and terminal in the fusion network are also highlighted in this paper. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Present State and Trends of Public Communications in the Fedearal Republic of Germany

The introduction gives an account of the historical development of telecommunications in Germany (Federal Republic of Germany), the legal status of the Deutsche Bundespost, its relationship with the German telecommunication industry, and the status of the broadcasting organizations. On the basis of the present state of the art, the future trends in switching and transmission as well as in cable and radio engineering are described. Of special weight are the new data and telephone switching systems and the requirements for future broad-band services. Research and development are concentrated on these projects, allowance having to be made for the present state of the networks in the Federal Republic of Germany.     

Fiber-to-the-home services based on wavelength-division-multiplexing passive optical network

It is anticipated that more than 75 Mb/s per subscriber is required for the convergence service such as triple-play service (TPS). Among several types of high-speed access network technologies, wavelength-division-multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-PON) is the most favorable for the required bandwidth in the near future. Furthermore, WDM technologies, such as athermal arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) and low-cost light source, have matured enough to be applied in the access network. In this paper, the authors propose and implement a WDM-PON system as a platform for TPS. The system employs an amplified spontaneous emission (ASE)-injected Fabry-Pe/spl acute/rot laser diode scheme. It has 32 channels of 125 Mb/s and adopts Ethernet as Layer 2. Multicast and virtual local area network features are used for the integration of services such as Internet protocol high-definition broadcast, voice-over Internet protocol, video on demand, and video telephone. The services were demonstrated using the WDM-PON system.     

Evolving from narrowband [ISDN]

A nodal system architecture developed by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) that will allow stepwise evolution to broadband integrated services digital network (B-ISDN), starting from the current nationwide narrowband integrated services digital network (N-ISDN) system in Japan, is discussed. The status of the current N-ISDN and the requirements for B-ISDN as the next step after N-ISDN are discussed, followed by a scenario for the evolution of B-ISDN from N-ISDN. A plan is outlined for the first ATM switching service for high-speed data transfer and a nodal system architecture permitting easy evolution to full B-ISDN