Workshop Program

The 5G mobile network will need to support a wide range of services compared with past networks. To meet this need, it will be necessary to construct a flexible network that can accommodate all kinds of services. Open RAN can make this a reality.
This article provides an overview of the Open RAN concept, presents the current state of the O-RAN ALLIANCE that promotes Open RAN standards, and describes the 5G Open RAN Ecosystem, a new NTT DOCOMO Open RAN initiative.

Keyword ： Open RAN, vRAN, Multi-Vendor, Ecosystem, Automation

With the launch of quantum annealing machines in 2011 and quantum gating machines in 2019, the development of applications using quantum computers is underway. Subsequently, number of ventures have begun public use of quantum computers, with increased investment beginning in 2021. More recently, efforts toward the full-scale use of quantum computers, such as quantum/classical hybrid computation technology and large-scale quantum computers, have been gaining momentum. Under these circumstances, there is an urgent need to upgrade peripheral technologies for large-scale applications, and there is a demand for miniaturization, higher density, and lower power consumption of high-frequency components and other components. In addition, on the technological front, the reliable technologies and products of Japanese companies are attracting attention.

Keyword ： Market Creation for Strategic Supply Chain of Quantum Computing System

In 6G, the use of the sub-terahertz band, which is relatively easy to ensure wider band width than the lower band which is utilized in the exisiting communication systems, is attracting attention as a technique to realize high-speed communication.
In this workshop, the recent trends in the study of radio propagation in the sub-terahertz band are introduced. Specifically, the study of path loss, spatio-temporal characteristics in indoor and outdoor environments and human body effects are introduced. Moreover, the virtualization terminal technology using the subterahertz band is introduced.

Keyword ： Sub-Terahertz Band, Virtualized Terminal Technologies, Human Body Scattering, Polarization Characteristics

In 6G, the use of sub-terahertz bands is being considered to achieve ultra-high-speed wireless communication. This is because high-frequency bands like sub-terahertz waves can utilize a frequency bandwidth that is over 10 times wider than 5G millimeter waves. However, sub-terahertz waves pose a challenge as their radio waves have even higher directivity than millimeter waves, making it difficult to transmit over long distances. Additionally, for wireless communication to become widespread, device miniaturization and cost reduction are necessary. Overcoming these challenges to practicalize sub-terahertz band wireless communication in 6G requires technological considerations such as building radio wave propagation models, transceiver technology using silicon CMOS integrated circuits, and antenna integration technology into 3D stacked modules.
This workshop will introduce technological innovations to promote the widespread use of sub-terahertz bands in 6G.

Keyword ： 6th Generation Mobile Communication System (6G), 5G, Sub-Terahertz, Millimeter-Wave, Radio Wave Propagation, CMOS, Integrated Circuit, Antenna, Package Substrate

The millimeter wave band was first adopted for mobile communications in 5G (fifth-generation mobile communication system) and has become widely recognized. Compared to the microwave band, the millimeter wave band can utilize a wider bandwidth and can respond to the increases of mobile communication traffic in future. It is expected to realize a higher performance wireless communication by utilizing high-speed, large-capacity, and low-latency, leading to the development of innovative applications.
On the other hand, there are still many issues in the spread of the millimeter wave, such as the large propagation loss and shielding loss which bring the narrow communication area, and the high cost of installing newly developed devices. Improving the performance of antennas and improving the efficiency, miniaturization, and cost reduction of devices such as semiconductors and modules are important technologies for utilizing millimeter waves.
In this workshop, we will introduce the state-of-the-art developments in the millimeter wave band, such as phased array transceiver, antenna technology for base stations and terminals, and module technology.

Keyword ： Millimeter Wave, 5G, Semiconductor, CMOS, Base Station, Mobile terminal, Phased Array

Microwave/millimeter-wave imaging enables us to obtain non-contact and non-destructive inspection/diagnosis of objects/items through a remote measurement. Recently, advanced microwave/millimeter-wave imaging technologies combined with photonics and vector signal processing techniques have been proposed, and their applications to security systems and infrastructure inspections are under going.
In this session, state-of-the-art microwave/millimeter-wave imaging systems and their applications are presented.

Keyword ： Security Systems, Non-Destructive Inspection for Infrastructure, Imaging, Radar, SAR, Complex Correlation Detection, Radio-Over-Fiber

Electromagnetic wave application technologies utilizing the microwave, millimeter wave, and terahertz wave bands are expected to be used not only for next-generation high-capacity communications but also for innovative applications in a wide range of fields such as medicine, sensing, energy, and so on.
In this workshop, we will introduce the latest trends in material evaluation technology for microwave, millimeter-wave, and terahertz bands in various fields, from printed circuit board materials to building materials and biological-related materials.

Keyword ： Complex Permittivity, Conductivity, Resonator Method, Transmission Line Method, Sensor Circuit, Electromagnetic Application

Large-scale quantum computers that are expected to surpass conventional computers are being actively researched and developed. In particular, the development of superconducting quantum computers is accelerating and their scale is rapidly increasing. Some of the issues that need to be addressed in order to realize a large-scale superconducting quantum computer have already been solved by engineering methods. Microwave technology is widely used in superconducting quantum computers, and there are many areas where microwave engineers can play an active role.
In this lecture, the fundamentals of quantum mechanics, the theory of quantum computers, and the practical application of superconducting quantum computers will be described, with the aim of giving the audience an "engineering intuitive image" of quantum computers, assuming the common knowledge of microwave engineers.

Keyword ： Superconducting Quantum Bit, Microwave Pulse, Eigenmode, Quantum Superposition, Quantum Entanglement

Array antenna signal processing requires the use of linear algebra such as matrix operations.
In this course, MIMO antenna evaluation is treated as an example of array antenna signal processing for antenna and microwave engineers, and the types of correlation matrices and correlation coefficients used therein and their calculation methods are explained.

Keyword ： Array Antenna, MIMO, Signal Processing, Antenna Correlation

Recently, wireless communication is widely used. Antenna is one of the important components in wireless communication. However, it seems that beginners feel antenna development is difficult.
In this WE7B session, basic type of antennas and its characteristics are introduced. In addition, antenna design, measurement methods and propagation are explained.

Keyword ： Antenna, Propagation, Radiation Pattern, Directivity, Gain

Microwave dividers/combiners are one of the important circuit elements used in balanced amplifiers, modulators/demodulators, mixers, antenna feeding circuits, and so on.
In this lecture, after describing the characteristics of lossless N-port networks, some typical 3-port and 4-port dividers/combiners are introduced. Next, even-odd mode analysis techniques for one-/two-fold symmetry circuits composed of transmission lines are explained. In addition, design methods of the compact dividers/combiners by using lumped-element circuits are also presented.

Keyword ： Microwave Divider / Combiner, Lossless Circuit, Even- / Odd-Excitation Method, Miniaturization Design Method