SoftBank's DNA "Challenge" and "Evolution".R & D is the key to creating innovative services beyond the framework of telecommunications carriers and aiming for companies that change the times.We talked to the director of the base technical laboratory, which is working on wireless communication technology using new communication platforms, such as drones and HAPS, as well as the development of radio propagation models and international standardization.
Softbank Co., Ltd. Technology Unit Base Technical Laboratory Long History
Challenge new technologies using new communication platforms such as drones and HAPS
What kind of department is the base technical laboratory?
As the name suggests, we are conducting research and development of new technologies that will create future businesses.Softbank is also strongly aware of future commercialization in R & D, but new technologies are often unknown unless we challenge.
The lab also has a lot of doctorate, and I think that it is a major feature that the research and development from the research stage are accumulated with their own hands and conducting research and development from a long -term perspective.
Please tell me the contents of the main research and development.
Currently, we are working on mobile networks and new areas, focusing on research and development of wireless communication technology using drones and HAPS, which are new communication platforms.
Specifically, drones include research and development of the "drone radio relay system" for quick recovery of communication areas in the event of a disaster and searching for suffering people.
HAPS, a flying base station, succeeded in the stratular test flight last year.We are aiming for commercialization in the future, but we are conducting research and development on increasing capacity and improving communication quality in a look further ahead.HAPS, unlike base stations installed on the ground, requires new initiatives such as beam control technology to achieve stable service areas and communication quality.
It is important to elucidate radio propagation characteristics from HAPS to examine and evaluate such communication methods with high accuracy.We are aiming to develop a radio wave propagation model based on the data actually measured and standardize it with iTu-R.This aims to help R & D of efficient communication methods and realize an internationally trusted area design system.
The Wireless Communication Rules, which are wireless telecommunications, in the wireless telecommunications department (ITU-R: ITU Radiocommunication Sector) of the International Telecomunication Union, which is a specialized organization of the International Union (ITU: International Telecommunication Union).They are amendment to: Radio Regulations), research on issues such as wireless communication technology and operation, create recommendations, allocate and register frequency.
Quoted source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Radio Use website
What other research and development have you been doing?
We are promoting various initiatives to develop new areas.For example, not only communication but also charging is one of them, such as wireless power transmission by microwaves to realize "all wireless".
In addition, while working on research and development from a long -term perspective, it is also an important mission to solve short -term business issues by taking advantage of expertise.
Until now, the development and practical BS-IF signal interference canceller that automatically detects and cancels the radio interference generated by the BS digital broadcasting, and the duct interference wave that comes from overseas is efficient.It also contributes to solving various business issues, such as the development of a reduced duct interference canceller equipment.
Experimental scenery of the base technical laboratory