Archived content

NOTE: this is an archived page and the content is likely to be out of date.

Next-Generation Network

2006-10 (Vol.42, No.4)

Next-Generation Network (NGN) is becoming an important social infrastructure. Fujitsu is providing leading-edge NGN solutions for high-performance broadband IP networks, including a wide range of secure NGN applications. This special issue focuses on Fujitsu's network technologies for NGNs.

2006-10 (Vol.42, No.4) Contents

1. Preface (24 KB): This special issue introduces some typical key activities we are engaged in for realizing the NGN. Fujitsu is very favorably positioned to contribute to the construction of the next generation ICT because of its strong background in telecommunications, IT systems, service provisioning, and components. Using our innovative technologies, we can realize vertical system integrations. I am pleased to have the opportunity to introduce Fujitsu's total activities for the next generation ICT at this very appropriate time. I would like to add that Fujitsu will work hard to making society more convenient, efficient, safe, and enjoyable. ---[Toshitaka Tsuda, Senior Vice President, Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.]

Technologies for Carriers I: Broadband Access Systems

2. Fujitsu's Activities for Next-Generation Network (67 KB): The Internet has expanded to cover every corner of consumer and enterprise activities, and the user community has devised new applications for and uses of Internet technologies. As the network takes shape as a social infrastructure, it is becoming increasingly important for the network to support these new uses not only by addressing ever-increasing bandwidth requirements but also by improving serviceability and usability through the convergence of new services, addressing such aspects of security and safety as the quality of services and robustness against cyber-threats or disasters, and tailoring service according to the user's location or circumstances. This paper discusses the future direction of network technology and Fujitsu's activities toward enabling greater innovation in the user community. ---[Kanji Hayashi, Takafumi Chujo, Kazuyoshi Kumatani, Akira Hakata]

3. Multi-Service Access Nodes (MSANs): Gateways to Next-Generation Network (NGN) (146 KB): While it is possible to envisage a Next-Generation Network (NGN) solution with a heterogeneous core, the same cannot be said for the fixed access network. Multiple legacies and new technologies must continue to be supported, delivering the widest range of services and adapting them so they can be carried over the NGN core. This paper considers the range of services and technologies that have to be handled by the access network and how a single solution — the Multi-Service Access Node (MSAN) — can be cost-effectively developed and deployed to meet the challenge of providing an access gateway to the NGN core. It then looks at an MSAN solution called GeoStream Access Gateway that was developed by Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Limited and chosen by British Telecom (BT) for their "21^st Century Network" in the UK. ---[Brett Handley]

4. G-PON System (291 KB): The Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Network, IEEE802.3h (GE-PON) is being rapidly spread in Japan according to NTT's mid-term plan that targets 30 million fiber to the home (FTTH) subscribers by 2010. Conversely, in the U.S., such carriers as Verizon are aggressively promoting the introduction of FTTX, but Broadband PON (B-PON) specified by ITU-T is currently dominant. However, regarding the requirements from Triple Play, especially for High Definition TV (HDTV), B-PON capacity is insufficient in terms of bandwidth, and thus Gigabit PON (G-PON) with four times the capacity is now being standardized by ITU and will soon be recognized globally as being mainstream. This paper describes the G-PON system jointly developed by Fujitsu, Fujitsu Access, and Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. ---[Tetsuro Murase, Manabu Ohtsuka, Stephen Smith]

5. Home Gateway Enabling Evolution of Network Services (149 KB): Broadband access services have spread rapidly and are now widely diffused. Also, new network services offered via broadband access are attracting public attention. We are now conducting R&D on a home gateway that connects various devices and appliances in the home to the network and provides new network services through them. This paper introduces our newly developed "Multigateway," which is a multifunction home gateway with an integrated broadband router and service adaptors. It then describes the concept of a platform for providing services for the next-generation network and the architecture of a home gateway called Service Gateway that realizes this concept. Finally, this paper describes a home appliance remote control service as an example of new services provided on the platform and describes our newly developed technologies that enable the realization of these services, including a prototype system. ---[Tomohiro Ishihara, Kiyoshi Sukegawa, Hirokazu Shimada]

Technologies for Carriers II: Backbone Infrastructure

6. Metro SONET System Supporting Optical Backbone Infrastructure: FLASHWAVE 4500 (165 KB): Driven by a rapid increase in broadband subscribers and strong demands for multiple services from broadband subscribers, carrier networks are dramatically migrating to the next-generation network. The metro network, which effectively transports user traffic from a variety of access networks, is evolving from a SONET/SDH-based network to an IP-based network. To keep up with the fast-paced network evolution, Fujitsu has developed the FLASHWAVE 4500 Multiservice Provisioning Platform (MSPP). This paper describes the goals of the FLASHWAVE 4500 development and the features of this platform that enable flexible adaptation to network changes. It also describes the future enhancements that will be made to converge metro-network and layer2 functionality in this platform to make it suitable for the future next-generation optical backbone infrastructure. ---[Noriaki Ohuchi, Tomihisa Takasugi, Tsuyoshi Ueshima, Katsuyuki Tada]

7. Fujitsu's Third-Generation Optical Transport Solution for Metro Optical Networks: FLASHWAVE 7500 (91 KB): Until recently, telecommunications transport networks have been built using SONET/SDH transmission equipment. Carriers have anticipated the advantages that metro optical networks (MONs) promise, but available equipment has a number of disadvantages and deployment has been limited. Fujitsu has developed a third-generation optical transport system called FLASHWAVE 7500 Release 4.1 (R4.1). This product overcomes many of the problems of previous generations of MONs. The FLASHWAVE 7500 R4.1 will enable carriers to cost effectively build networks to carry large amounts of traffic of any type. It will greatly simplify traffic engineering and span engineering, enabling more efficient network configurations. This paper briefly describes the history of optical networks, the technologies used in these networks, and how the issues encountered by previous generations have been overcome. ---[Hiroyuki Matsumoto, Hatsumi Iino, Stephen Carlton]

8. High-Performance Submarine Line Terminal Equipment for Next-Generation Optical Submarine Cable System: FLASHWAVE S650 (85 KB): Global telecommunications traffic is rapidly growing in response to customer demand for broadband services and more reliable network performance. Thus, the demand for a submarine telecommunications system, which is a backbone infrastructure for international telecommunications, is also steadily increasing. This demand is not only for constructing a new cable system, but also for upgrading capacity by adding extra capacity to existing systems. To meet this demand, we have developed the FLASHWAVE S650, new Submarine Line Terminal Equipment (SLTE), by applying cutting-edge DWDM optical technologies. This equipment features excellent transmission performance, improved maintainability, and a flexible configuration suitable for a long-haul system, coupled with upgraded capacity. The FLASHWAVE S650 was successfully deployed in a SEA-ME-WE 4 cable system and certain upgraded systems. This paper describes the various functions, characteristics, and configuration of the FLASHWAVE S650. ---[Hiroshi Oikawa, Junichi Yoshimura, Haruki Watanabe]

9. Network Management Systems for Overseas Solutions (255 KB): The deployment and management of large-scale networks entail complex tasks that require careful initial planning and ongoing operations support. Meanwhile, telecommunications carriers are reducing staff as part of their response to increased pressure being applied by intensified competition and more competitive pricing. More than ever before, it is essential that telecommunications equipment suppliers provide complete management solutions for their products. Such solutions should include the Element/Network Management System (EMS), craft Interface, and Network Design & Planning Tools. A flexible strategy is needed to integrate the EMS with upper-layer OSS applications that may already be deployed by the carriers. ---[Steve Pelosi]

Technologies for Carriers III: Basic Technologies

10. Optical Components and Devices for Next-Generation Photonic Networks (239 KB): In this paper, we describe optical component and device technologies we have developed for next-generation photonic networks that achieve high tunability, high-speed transmission, and low power consumption. These include three-dimensional optical MEMS switches, acousto-opic tunable filters (AOTFs), lithium niobate optical modulators, and semiconductor lasers and optical amplifiers. ---[Masaaki Kawai, Kazuyuki Mori, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Osamu Tsuboi, Kazuhiro Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Ken Morito, Ippei Sawaki, Mitsuru Sugawara]

11. Radio Access Schemes and Technologies for Next-Generation Network (95 KB): Multimedia services such as Web browsing, video on demand, and IP telephone delivered to the office and home by wired network systems such as optical fiber systems and ADSL systems are now very popular. This popularity increases the demand for more powerful technologies to provide radio access such as high data rate, QoS controlling. The 3rd generation wireless system already has the ability to provide such multimedia services, but advancement of radio access is necessary for stress-free operation. In this paper, we summarize the requirements for next-generation radio access schemes to be put in place around 2010. A high data rate is the most important requirement for multimedia services. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) in combination with multiple input multiple output (MIMO) multiplexing is considered to be the method most likely to satisfy this requirement. Here, we introduce some advanced technologies that help improve the transmission data rate and the spectral efficiency for the next-generation wireless systems. ---[Kazuo Kawabata, Hiroyuki Seki, Kazuhisa Ohbuchi]

Technologies for Carriers IV: Telecommunication Solutions

12. Mobile Solution for FMC (74 KB): Competition in the business environment of cellular carriers is expected to become much more intense when mobile-number portability is introduced, new carriers enter the market, and various other developments unfold. A Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC) service has already been launched in South Korea and the United Kingdom. In Japan, an FMC service targeted for the enterprise market has been launched with the introduction of a hybrid mobile terminal that uses the capabilities of 3G cellular phones and wireless LAN IP phones. In this paper, we consider the significance of FMC for carriers from the market point of view. We also introduce the functional architecture of FMC and describe further issues that must be studied to realize FMC. ---[Yoshihiro Kubota, Satoru Ogawa, Masato Kitta, Fumihiko Yokota]

13. Network Solution for Achieving Large-Scale, High-Availability VoIP Services (56 KB): VoIP technologies that enable Internet voice communication are spreading rapidly, with many telecommunication carriers already providing VoIP services based on these technologies. The market for this area is expected to become significantly larger as the number of subscribers continues to increase. VoIP technologies must first be enhanced, however, before VoIP services can support all the voice services of existing switching systems, including lifeline services such as for emergency calls. This paper introduces Fujitsu's server platform technologies for controlling not only highly scalable but also highly reliable VoIP services, as well as our lineup of products in this field, and then discusses future development plans. Lastly, it introduces our session control technology, which represents a key technology used for VoIP services in the development of various advanced services. ---[Kiyofumi Shigeno, Hisayuki Sekine, Eiichiro Takahashi]

14. Proactnes Series for Efficient IP Network Operation Management (166 KB): The carriers of the world are now developing the Next-Generation Network (NGN) to provide IP phone service, IP broadcasting, bidirectional interactive communications, broadband Internet access service, and other diversified services. Proactnes is a system that supports network service operation management in an environment of such diversified services. The operation systems require integrated network operation management, scalability to manage a large quantity of network equipment in the access networks, a resource management function to realize end-to-end QoS, and performance monitoring and quality management functions to guarantee voice and video services. Proactnes is an operation management system designed to provide solutions for these needs. This paper introduces the operation systems for the NGN, the Proactnes technology used to realize the NGN, and Fujitsu's road map for future network operation management. ---[Masao Numazaki, Masataka Sakata, Ken Ishiro, Nobuko Kimura]

Technologies for Carriers V: Telecommunication Technologies

15. End-To-End QoS Control Architecture and Route Selection Method for IP Networks (172 KB): In this paper, we propose a new end-to-end QoS control architecture and an optimum core route-selection method that simultaneously considers both the access and core networks' status. The proposed method makes it possible to provide end-to-end QoS-guaranteed services for dual-mode mobile terminals that can use multiple access networks simultaneously, with efficient use of network resources. Simulation results show that our method improves the number of accepted requests for bandwidth guarantee in comparison with the existing methods. We also implemented a prototype QoS control system and confirmed that our proposed method worked well. The processing time of the prototype is within a few seconds for each QoS request. ---[Akiko Yamada, Keiichi Nakatsugawa, Akira Chugo]

16. QoS Management and Peer-to-Peer Mobility in Fixed-Mobile Convergence (154 KB): Next-Generation Networks (NGNs) and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) are the two driving forces of Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC). The complementary nature of NGNs delivering controlled services and P2P with the intrinsic characteristics of overlay services, which does not require large-scale infrastructure investment, is important for cost-effective and rapid deployment of FMC. For the successful deployment of FMC, a coherent and universal approach toward QoS and mobility management is particularly important. In this paper, we propose QoS and mobility management mechanisms for various wireless networks, including 3G, 802.16 Mobile Multihop Relay (MMR), 802.11 mesh networks, and WiFi/WiMAX relay networks. We also discuss enhanced P2P mobility schemes for achieving session continuity and seamless handover. ---[Wei-Peng Chen, Takeo Hamada, Jason Jeyhsin Yao, Hung-Yu Wei]

Corporate Networks

17. Approach to Next-Generation Corporate Networks (106 KB): The proliferation of the Internet has created a network society in which high-speed networks can easily be used in a cost-effective manner. However, the advantages of low price and easy use have also resulted in negative consequences such as increased criminal activity on the Internet and lower reliability. Measures to guarantee secure network use in mission-critical areas will become essential. Fujitsu's FENICS network service for enterprises uses advanced network security technologies such as Dynamic VPN and NetSpanner to ensure that products and services can be used in a secure network environment. This paper describes the current status of network use and security-related problems and introduces Fujitsu's technical approach to these issues. ---[Akihiro Inomata, Hiroyuki Nakahara, Noriyuki Fukuyama, Masafumi Katoh]

18. Development of Real-Time Enterprise Communication Service for Ubiquitous Age (855 KB): Smart terminals such as cellular phones and PCs and sophisticated network technologies such as cellular communications and Internet Protocol (IP) can be used to build network service platforms that can change the style of everyday work and create new value for customers. One of the new services to come from such a platform is a high-mobility service that enables people to continue working over a network while traveling. Another is a collaboration service that exchanges voice, video, and other information between different locations. In addition, a ubiquitous service that enhances connections over a network will be provided in the near future. This paper introduces three new network services that enable business to be done more efficiently: a service that connects cellular phones to an enterprise network, a Web-based multimedia videoconference system, and an experimental ubiquitous service that associates Quick Response (QR) codes with cellular phones. ---[Kazumasa Kuroshita, Youichi Nasuno, Katsuaki Taniguchi]

Top of Page