NTT Research and Development 2010 Review of Activities

Overview

As wireless technology continues to develop, customers are increasingly expressing a desire to use wireless broadband services anytime and anywhere. What’s more, as wireless-LAN-compatible devices spread in popularity, the number of users of public wireless LAN services (which enable internet connection in public places like airports and train stations) is growing. To satisfy these customer expectations and provide a more comfortable communication environment, an “on-board-train internet-connection service” using wireless LAN was developed.^*1 This service was introduced on March 14, 2009 in carriages of N700-series bullet trains running on the Tokaido Shinkansen line.

Features

• Stable ground-to-train communication by digital LCX^*2 system
• Seamless communication while traveling at ultra high speed is made possible by highly functional Mobile IP technology
• Common use of APs^*3 by multiple ISPs^*4 is made possible by virtual-AP technology
• Network sharing between multiple ISPs by means of L2 tunnel technology
• Establishment of optimum wireless LAN areas in special environments (like train carriages) by utilizing radiowave-propagation design technology

Application scenarios

• Converting a train carriage into a “mobile office” by connecting business people to their office networks
• Smart phones and mobile terminals are connected to the internet, so information can be acquired during journeys
• Game consoles equipped with wireless-LAN function are connected to game websites for network match ups
• Music players are connected to music websites, so music data can be downloaded

• *1 Collaborative development between Central Japan Railway Company Ltd., NTT Broadband Platform Inc., and NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories.
• *2 LCX: Leaky Coaxial Cable
• *3 AP: Access Point
• *4 ISP: Internet Service Provider