Keio MIMO, Hayabusa 2, SEMICON Japan: The Headlines in Tokyo for Dec. 3

Christian Crisostomo — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 05:32:05 +0000

Here is the daily roundup from Japanese consumer tech and tech business websites for Dec. 3, 2014.

Keio University demonstrates single antenna MIMO system

Researchers at Keio University have successfully demonstrated through experiments the feasible efficiency of a customized single antenna for a MIMO antenna system.

MIMO antenna systems are technically by definition, systems that use multiple antennas to improve overall transmission speed and efficiency, hence the name (multiple-input multiple-output). The recent experiment however, showed that it is also possible for a single antenna to achieve the efficiency of a MIMO system, through the use of a customized signal processing algorithm.

The new algorithm can be applied in a wireless transmitter, as new software that would allow one single antenna to function as an entire MIMO antenna array. Since one antenna is enough, a MIMO system could theoretically be built into smaller systems, even on wearable tech, possibly setting another standard in portable wireless transmission technologies.

JAXA’s Hayabusa 2 finally launched

Hayabusa 2, the upcoming follow-up mission that would send another satellite to a nearby asteroid, has just been launched. The rocket that carried it beyond Earth was the H-IIA no. 26, and was launched at exactly 1:22 AM JST.

Developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Hayabusa 2’s primary objective is to study the Apollo asteroid (162173) 1999 JU3. Despite launch delays a few days earlier, it is now en route to its target, and is expected to arrive around 43 months after its launch in 2018. Upon its arrival, the Hayabusa 2 would then study the asteroid for a year, using its enhanced instruments to obtain better samples and provide more accurate observational data.

It is scheduled to return to Earth in the year 2020.

SEMICON Japan 2014 is now open

The SEMICON Japan 2014 event is scheduled to start today, December 3, and will end on December 5. The event will be held at the Tokyo Big Sight, where all of the world’s semiconductor pioneers and industry giants will meet.

SEMICON Japan is an annually held international event that showcases various equipments, materials, concepts and breakthroughs related to semiconductors and its industry. It is considered as a once-in-a -year hub that opens technical seminars and meetings that are led by the various semiconductor companies and corporations. For this year’s opening keynote, speakers from Accenture, STSI, Toyota, and ARM will be present.

A complete event list, as well as time tables and schedules for the event can be found at the SEMICON Japan official website.

The post Keio MIMO, Hayabusa 2, SEMICON Japan: The Headlines in Tokyo for Dec. 3 appeared first on VR World.

Nescafe Robots, Solar Detection System, Digital to Analog: The Headlines in Tokyo for Dec. 2

Christian Crisostomo — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 03:19:04 +0000

Here is the daily roundup from Japanese consumer tech and tech business websites for December 2, 2014.

Nestle finally deploys Pepper robot fleet

Nestle Japan finally launches its project to use Softbank’s Pepper robots as coffee machine guides in Japan. The launch was welcomed with an opening event at Bic Camera’s Yurakucho branch, where the robots would be first assigned on its job.

The company had previously announced its plans to use the social robot Pepper as a guide and interactive machine. The general outline was to use the robot at around 20 consumer tech and electronics centers across the country, with a total of about 1,000 individual units assigned by the end of the year 2015.

The opening event demonstrated the customized Pepper robot’s functions, with the unit conversing with the host speaker about its job and about Nescafe. The unit was even dressed with an obligatory matching outfit, which will also be presumably used as when it finally performs its task as a Nescafe coffee station ‘employee’.

JAXA to launch concentrated solar detection system

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) opens a collaborative project with Japan’s UNISYS to develop a special concentrated solar energy detection system using data currently relayed by various satellites.

The new system will focus on the accurate prediction of data for concentrated solar energy systems. Such off-grid systems usually require vast amounts of meteorological data to optimize any calculated energy output. With the assistance of UNIYSIS and its various energy monitoring systems, the new detection system is expected to be able to analyze collected data from satellites and ground stations more precisely. This would then theoretically enable any concentrated solar energy system to adjust and compensate more easily as long as the detection system stays online.

GDP/DPR, one of the latest launched satellites by JAXA, will play a vital role in the implementation of the new system.

J:COM ends its digital to analog services

Jupiter Telecommunications (J:COM) announces that it will be ending its digital to analog services, as well as other related services starting next year by the end of January 2015.

Self-advertised as a “comprehensive media company”, J:COM has been one of the longest cable TV and channel operation business provider in the country. The announcement to end its digital to analog cable services is seen as a possible measure for the company to slowly adapt to progressive changes in TV hardware and broadcast protocols due to the introduction of 4K TV.

First prefecture that will be affected by the service loss is the Ibaraki prefecture. The complete cut-off schedule for the service can be found at J:COM’s official website.

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