Telecom Asia |
"Telecom Asia 2000" was held in Hong Kong, from December 4 to
9, 2000. This is a regional event organized by the ITU, consisting
of exhibitions of the latest technologies by information communication
companies and device manufacturers, and a forum where policies and
business trends are presented.
Director-general YAMADA of the STRL was a guest speaker during the
event, speaking on the theme: "Approaches to Digital Broadcasting
in Japan," introducing trends in digital BS and terrestrial broadcasting
in Japan, as well as the interactive services provided by digital
BS broadcasting. The event was held right after the launch of digital
BS broadcasting in Japan and generated a high level of interest
among participants, demonstrating to the world the appeal of Japan's
digital BS broadcasting.
(Hideki Suganami, Planning & Coordination) |
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R&D on the Next Generation Mobile Satellite
Communications/Broadcasting System |
The Advanced Space Communications Research Laboratory (ASC) was
established in 1994 with the aim of performing research and development
on the next generation S-band (2.5-2.6GHz) mobile satellite communications/broadcasting
system using a geostationary satellite. Its R&D theme covers technological
development, including a large deployable antenna, high-power
transponder, and a handheld terminal, as well as the analysis
and evaluation of these systems.
Two engineers were on loan from NHK to the ASC, and engaged in
projects concerning a 2.5-2.6GHz-band digital satellite sound
broadcasting system and handheld terminals for mobile communications.
During the research period, the expected purposes were achieved
in the development of new technologies in step with the progress
of digital technology.
The ASC completed its 7-year R&D period at the end of February
of this year. Individual components developed at the ASC are scheduled
to be installed on Engineering Test Satellite VIII to be launched
in fiscal 2003. It is expected that the ASC's accomplishments
will prove their value during the scheduled orbital tests.
(Hideo Mitsumoto, ex-Manager of System Research
of Department, ASC) |
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Development of Prototype 2000 Scanning Line
Ultrahigh Definition Color Camera |
The NHK Science & Technical Research Laboratories constructed
an experimental ultrahigh definition color camera with twice the
number of scanning lines as that of the Hi-Vision (HDTV) system.
NHK has been promoting a "super reality broadcasting system" with
the ultimate goal of 4,000 scanning lines. This prototype system
was developed with that project goal in view.
The prototype camera is a 2,250 scanning line, 60 frame per second
progressive-scanning system. It provides a quantity of information
eight times greater than the conventional HDTV system. An 8 million
pixel CCD was also developed to be used as an imager for the camera*.
With the newly developed CCD, a low clock frequency is maintained
by dividing the screen into 16 parts, and taking out individual
video signals for each portion.
Note*: Joint development with Dalsa Co.,
Canada. |
Table:
Prototype camera specification |
Total horizontal pixels
|
4,400 pixels/line |
|
Total
lines |
2,250 |
|
Valid
pixels |
Approx. 8 million |
|
Aspect
ratio |
16:9 |
|
Frame
frequency |
60 frames/second
|
|
Scanning
system |
Progressive scanning
|
|
Imaging
system |
RGB 3 CCDS |
(Masayuki Sugawara, Three-Dimensional Audio-visual
Systems) |
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HARP Imaging Tube Exhibited at RSNA |
At the end of November 2000, at the exhibition of the Radiological
Society of North America (RSNA), I spoke of the outstanding performance
of the ultrahigh-sensitivity HARP imaging tube and its use in
the medical field.
Upon seeing presentation of an introductory video on the HARP
imaging device and an actual video demonstration using an ultrahigh-sensitivity
HARP camera, a number of major medical equipment manufacturers
expressed keen interest in the system, seeing its suitability
for use in portal imaging (for the irradiation monitor of the
cancer radiation therapy machine).
HARP photoconductive film, with its ultrahigh-sensitivity and
resolution, even has the potential to shoot a clear real-time
image of a microscopic grain of calcium, as observed in the first
stage of breast cancer. Future application of this HARP technology
to the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer has already
drawn much attention.
(Kenkichi Tanioka, Advanced Imaging Devices)
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