2012.12.18
NTT Comware to Develop A Ring-Shaped Network Connection Technology with the Proximity Connection of Bluetooth (R) for Multiple-Users to Access
--Potentials for New Ways of Communications and Data Sharing amongst Smartphones Located in Short Distances Even If Data is Overloaded in Emergencies--
NTT Comware Corporation (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Shinobu Umino; below, NTT Comware) has been working to solve one of the major issues in mobile communications such as traffic congestions and cutoffs, which particularly were revealed during and after the Great Kanto Earthquake. This is a research and development scheme to establish a unique local network configuration using peer-to-peer)*2 communications over Bluetooth(R)*1 (hereinafter, BT), an effective means to communicate in short distances. This technology allows multiple unidentified smartphone users to communicate each other in a particular area of short distance.
1. Background
NTT Comware has been committed to significantly investing in its future R&D capabilities in the areas of securing telecommunications in the cases of unexpected situations to disable communication networks such as occurrence of disasters. In order to establish a universal communication network for many users to use in a comfortable and convenient way, "whenever, wherever, or whoever they want", the following three conditions need to be satisfied: (1) a general-purpose wireless communication for anyone to use, (2) a certain allowable distance or speed for communication, and (3) a secure communication network to cover a number of terminal devices in a local environment.As for (1) and (2), BT and WiFi*3 on smartphones would be a solution currently available. Although Wi-Fi requires an access point (hereinafter, AP) for terminals to make connections, BT allows terminals to connect on a peer-to-peer basis even though an AP is not available. NTT Comware focused on this point in the R&D activities.
2. Outline
(1) BT-Based Terminal ConnectionBT has "profiles" to allow devices accessible for various purposes, including HSP (Headset Profile) to connect a headset (earphone and microphone) and mobile devices for instance. Most of the profiles currently available are based on the peer-to-peer connection assuming such specific purposes. NTT Comware considers that it would be possible to establish a standalone large-scale network besides a mobile communication network, by connecting devices from one to others or multiple devices, against the peer-to-peer connection of BT, in order to achieve the condition in (3) above. As this new communication network system is obtained, BT became now available for the automatic connection of multiple terminal devices on a real-time basis, depending on various conditions that they are in. Currently, it is now on the validation stage of the local network configuration using this technology.
(2) Challenges and Solutions of this Technology
The referred technology under research and development by NTT Comware is a ring-shaped connection to establish over BT for multiple terminal devices. There is an issue that a star-shaped connection of multiple devices could overflow the allowable number of connection over BT per device. With the ring-shaped connection, the number of connections per device may be reduced to significantly increase the number of connections on a single local network. Meanwhile, the ring-shaped network has another issue to have longer time for data transmission on a single local network subject to an increase of the number of terminal devices, this issue has been solved by dividing the number of terminal devices over the ring-shaped network (multi-clustering) to avoid delays in data transmission speed. The ring-shaped network is more advantageous in other aspects. (Attachment: Figure 2) Likewise, a number of unidentified terminal devices automatically connected on the ring-shaped network enable an effective relay of data transmission to a terminal device in a remote location even though a data communication network is not available.
3. Example of Application
The currently developed technology enables an automatic configuration of data communication in short distances when terminals come to a certain area in proximity such as a group of people who are away from home in the event of disasters or evacuated to one location. Thus, this network will be an effective communication tool for disaster or emergencies to allow them to communicate or share data. On the other hand, a BT-based terminal may be situated in stations or public facilities to release various information to share up-to-date information among people around the spot. Furthermore, these data transmission functions are available to leave and track access records of terminals once connected, which may also be effective to know and collect someone's access and his/her safety.4. Future Scenario
For practical uses of the BT-based local network, it is now required to have a high-speed data control technology to manage data transmission between clusters or to restore networks when any terminals on the network to have its power-cutoff or relocation.NTT Comware continues to strive solving these problems and achieve more efficient local communication environment for "whenever, wherever, or whoever to access or share data in convenient and efficient ways."
[Terminology]
*1 This is a wireless communication technology standard for digital mobile devices using short-wavelength radio transmissions in the 2.4GHz band from fixed and mobile devices mainly in a short distance such as 10 meters.*2 A configuration of data transmission by directly connecting terminal devices in an equal relationship over a network.
*3 This is a popular technology that allows an electronic device to exchange data wirelessly using radio waves over a computer network, video-game consoles or smartphones. "Wi-Fi" is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance (an industry organization in the United States). Only Wi-Fi products that complete Wi-Fi Alliance interoperability certification testing successfully may use the "Wi-Fi CERTIFIED" designation and trademark.
** Bluetooth(R) is a trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
** Wi-Fi is a trademark or registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance.
