Friday, January 27, 2017

Fujitsu Develops Connection Control Technology for LTE and Wi-Fi

Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.

Fujitsu Develops Connection Control Technology for LTE and Wi-Fi to Improve
Communication Speed in Wi-Fi Areas

- Approximately doubles communication speed, on average, by automatically batch-setting communication routes for devices in an area -

Kawasaki, Japan, January 26, 2017 Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. today announced the development of connection control technology for LTE and Wi-Fi to boost communication speed in areas with Wi-Fi. When devices doing high-load communications tasks, such as streaming videos, are concentrated on a single Wi-Fi access point, deterioration in communications speed for each of these devices is a problem. Up to this point, devices have been equipped with technology to enable them to choose a communications route to mitigate communication speed deterioration, such as connecting to LTE instead of Wi-Fi when the Wi-Fi's communication quality is poor. However, as each device determines its communications route independently, without considering the impact on other devices, this can instead cause overall communications speed to decrease. Fujitsu Laboratories has now developed connection control technology that uses a cloud-based connection control ability to predict communications speed when multiple devices change their connection at the same time, and can automatically set communication routes for multiple devices on the same Wi-Fi access point all at once based on that prediction.

As a result of performance evaluations of this technology carried out by changing the distribution of devices using a telecommunications carrier's LTE network, it was confirmed that this technology can increase communications speed by about a factor of two, on average, compared with previous technology. With this technology, mobile users can even more easily make use of services that require high communications speeds, such as videos.

<Development Background>

In recent years, with the spread of smartphones and tablets, there has been an increase in high-load traffic, such as videos. In addition, Wi-Fi is being expanded, and it is expected that, with the further expansion of areas in which it is possible to use
Wi-Fi in the future, users will have more opportunities to enjoy watching videos and using other services while out and about. Current technology allows a large number of users to connect to public Wi-Fi, however, when users who are watching videos or using other high-load communications are concentrated around a single access point, the communications speed can drop, causing situations in which videos stop playing. There is a demand for technology that can avoid this type of situation, without stress on users.

<Issues>

Currently, several technologies have been applied as methods of improving communications speed for Wi-Fi users, such as a technology that limits reductions in communications speed by having the device autonomously change to connect to LTE, and technologies that limit the number of users that can connect to a Wi-Fi access point. With existing technologies in which each device determines its communications route based on communications quality without considering its impact on other devices, situations could arise that reduce overall communications speed, as when Wi-Fi is chosen even when users doing high-load communications are concentrated around a Wi-Fi access point, or when LTE is chosen even in situations where there are not many users who can use Wi-Fi.

<About the Technology>

Now Fujitsu Laboratories has developed connection control technology in which a dedicated application is installed on a device that communicates with the connection control function on the control server, which predicts communication speed if multiple devices changed their connection at the same time. It then automatically sets communications routes for multiple devices in a given Wi-Fi service area all at once based on that prediction. Features of the technology are as follows.

1. Technology that estimates the volume of usable wireless resources

With this technology, by installing a dedicated application on a device, the server can control each device, but because devices without the application are also using Wi-Fi and LTE wireless resources, the amount of wireless resources available to controlled devices can change. Therefore, the dedicated application installed on the controlled device first collects information on current communication speeds and wireless quality, and notifies the connection control function on the control server. The connection control function then calculates the communication speed if there were sufficient usable wireless resources from the wireless quality information, and by comparing this with the actual communication speed, estimates the volume of usable wireless resources. This then enables connection control that responds to the situation in that location.

2. Wireless communication route optimization technology

With the connection control function, this technology calculates the predicted communication speed for each controlled device in a Wi-Fi service area using information about the volume of wireless resources that can be used and wireless quality information from controlled devices for each routing pattern, whether each controlled device uses Wi-Fi or LTE for its communication route. Using these results, it chooses the distribution pattern of communication routes that maximizes overall communication speed in the area, and then the connection control function on the control server notifies the dedicated application on each device that corresponds to that pattern, and then carries out switching of the communication route.

<Effects>

Fujitsu Laboratories set up a Wi-Fi access point in a communication area covered by a telecom carrier's LTE network, then placed multiple devices in the area covered by the
Wi-Fi access point and measured their communication speeds, both when using existing technology and when using the newly developed connection control technology.
Measurements were taken while varying the placement of the devices, and it was confirmed that the new technology could, on average, double communications speed, compared with existing connection control technology. With this technology, services that require high communication speeds, such as streaming video, can be used even more easily in Wi-Fi service areas.

<Future Plans>

Fujitsu Laboratories aims to conduct even larger-scale field trials using this technology to improve its stability, with the goal of commercializing it in fiscal 2018. Also, Fujitsu
Laboratories intends to move forward on expanding functions to enable selection of radio access technologies for 5G, aiming for application from fiscal 2020 onwards.

Source Link: http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/resources/news/press-releases/2017/0126-01.html


Thursday, January 26, 2017

OPSENS REPORTS Q1 2017 RESULTS

FOCUSED EXECUTION LEADS TO RECORD QUARTERLY REVENUES

Quebec City, Quebec, January 26, 2017 – Opsens Inc. (“Opsens” or the "Company") (TSXV:OPS) (OTCQX:OPSSF) today reported its results for the first quarter ended November 30, 2016.

HIGHLIGHTS

·        Fractional Flow Reserve ("FFR") revenues were $2,743,000 compared with $893,000 in the same quarter last year, an increase of $1,850,000 or 207%;

·        Consolidated revenues for Q1 2017 amounted to $3,745,000 compared with $1,711,000 in Q1 2016, an increase of $2,034,000 or 119%.

EXECUTION OF THE GROWTH STRATEGY

Opsens’ sales networks demonstrate success quarter over quarter. FFR revenues for the first quarter of 2017 represent more than 50% of Opsens’ FFR revenues for the 12-month period ended August 31, 2016. "We are convinced that the distinctive features of the OptoWire, widely recognized by key opinion leaders in the interventional cardiology field, will allow us to capitalize on the fast-growing FFR market," said Louis Laflamme, President and Chief Executive Officer of Opsens.

"We are putting in place the necessary investment and infrastructure to become a major player in the industry. The improvements to our production processes over the past few months have enabled us to increase our competitiveness and our ability to start to meet the growing demand for our products," added Mr. Laflamme.

OPSENS CLOSES $15 MILLION FINANCING TO SUPPORT MARKETING EXPANSION OF FFR PRODUCTS

Following the financing that closed on December 8, 2016, Opsens’ cash position is now approximately $17 million. This financial position provides the Company the flexibility necessary to execute its plan including the expansion of commercialization of its FFR products.

FINANCIAL RESULTS - FIRST QUARTER ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2016

Opsens' product sales were $3,745,000 for the three-month period ended November 30, 2016 compared with $1,711,000 for the same period a year earlier. This significant growth is explained by an increase of $1,850,000 in FFR revenues.

Gross margin increased to $1,191,000 for the quarter ended November 30, 2016 from $483,000 for the same period last year.

Net loss amounted to $2,541,000 for the three-month period ended November 30, 2016 compared with a net loss of $1,658,000 in the corresponding period last year. Opsens’ breakthrough into new markets has generated increased sales and marketing expenses, which explains the difference.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Corning Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2016 Financial Results



Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) today announced results for fourth-quarter and full-year 2016.

News Summary:

Overall Company – Fourth-quarter results provided a strong finish to 2016: Q4 GAAP EPS of $1.47, up 765%, and core EPS of $.50, up 47%, year over year; Q4 GAAP and core sales up 11% and 6% respectively, year over year

Business segment performance highlights included record Corning® Gorilla® Glass volume, driven by rapid adoption of Gorilla® Glass 5; acceleration of Optical Communications growth; and continued moderation in price declines in Display Technologies.

Year-over-year sales, net income, and EPS growth expected in the first quarter of 2017
“Corning delivered outstanding fourth-quarter results, continuing the momentum that began earlier in the year,” said Wendell P. Weeks, chairman, chief executive officer and president. “Our very strong finish to the year was highlighted by year-over-year core sales growth of 6%, core earnings growth of 24% and core EPS growth of 47%. We are encouraged by this strength, and expect growth in these year-over-year measures in the first quarter of 2017.”

Strategy and Capital Allocation Framework Progress

Corning’s Strategy and Capital Allocation Framework outlines the company’s 2016-2019 leadership priorities. Under the Framework, Corning plans to deliver more than $12.5 billion to shareholders while investing $10 billion in growth opportunities.
Since the Framework was announced, the company has achieved key milestones including the return of $6 billion to shareholders by increasing the dividend 12.5% and repurchasing 22% of its outstanding shares; and completing the realignment of Dow Corning Corporation, which unlocked tremendous value for shareholders.

“As we enter the second year under our Framework, the strategic and financial benefits of Corning’s focused portfolio are even more apparent,” said Weeks. “We’re particularly pleased to see our market-access platforms continue to evolve as we anticipated. Progress on our initiatives include the rapid adoption rate of Gorilla® Glass 5; new platform wins from major OEMs for gas particulate filters; and customer commitments that support long-term growth opportunities in Optical Communications. The strong response to our cutting-edge glass innovations at the recent Consumer Electronics Show is yet another illustration.”

“In 2017, we will continue to advance the objectives of our Strategy and Capital Allocation Framework,” Weeks added. “We expect to increase the value of Corning products used on mobile devices, accelerate growth in Optical Communications, commercialize gas particulate filters, and make advancements in pharmaceutical glass and Gorilla Glass for Automotive. Corning’s focused portfolio positions the company well for the long-term.”

Optical Communications:

Fourth-quarter 2016 sales in Optical Communications rose 11% and core earnings rose 85% over 2015. Sales growth of fiber-to-the-home solutions in North America, along with improved manufacturing performance, contributed to the higher year-over-year profitability. Full-year 2016 sales were $3 billion and core earnings were $297 million.

In the first quarter of 2017, year-over-year Optical Communications sales growth is expected to be at least 25%. Full-year 2017 sales are expected to increase by a low-teens percentage over 2016.



Shape Sensor Optical Fiber from OFS



NORCROSS, Ga., Jan. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- OFS, a leading designer, manufacturer, and supplier of innovative fiber optic products will showcase its new shape sensor optical fiber at the BiOS / Photonics West Exposition located at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California from 28 January through 2 February 2017.

OFS has developed a technology platform to produce high quality twisted multicore optical fiber with continuous FBGs (Fiber Bragg Gratings) to meet critical 3D shape sensing specifications such as: twist rate, coating concentricity, grating reflectivity, and grating spacing.

Mr. Jaehan Kim, OFS Medical Market Manager states, "OFS expertise in specialty glass preform design allows us to make a wide range of fibers having optimized features such as multiple cores, select cutoff, specific numerical apertures, and core to core spacing." Mr. Kim continues, "In addition, we developed a platform to write high quality continuous gratings without stripping and recoating the fiber, thus preserving the fiber's mechanical integrity. This manufacturing platform allows for customization and optimization of products to meet various customers' demands."

For more information on these and other OFS products, stop by OFS booth #8728 at
BiOS or #1632 at Photonics West. Or you may visit http://www.ofsoptics.com/medical

About OFS
OFS is a world-leading designer, manufacturer and provider of optical fiber, fiber optic cable, connectivity, fiber-to-the-subscriber (FTTx) and specialty photonics products. We provide reliable, cost-effective solutions for a broad range of applications including telecommunications, medicine, industrial automation, sensing, government, aerospace and defense. These products help our customers meet the needs of consumers and businesses, both today and into the future.

Headquartered in Norcross (near Atlanta) Georgia, U.S.A., OFS is a global provider with facilities in China, Denmark, Germany, Russia and the United States. OFS is part of Furukawa Electric Company, a multi-billion dollar leader in optical communications.

Please visit www.ofsoptics.com

200 Gbps fiber-optic transport equipment - Ekinops

Leading Video Platform Dailymotion Enhances
Data Center Interconnection with Ekinops

PARIS, January 25, 2017 – Dailymotion, one of the leading international video hosting platforms, has boosted its capacity between important data centers with 200 Gbps (gigabits per second) fiber-optic transport equipment from Ekinops.

With more than 300 million monthly visitors watching some three billion videos, Dailymotion needed to interconnect the two Paris-area data centers with a high-capacity redundant link and also needed to upgrade that link in a short timeframe.

To meet these needs, Dailymotion turned to Ekinops, a leading supplier of next-generation optical network equipment for high-speed telecommunications networks and a specialist in cost-effective and rapid deployments.

Dailymotion selected Ekinops in late October 2016 and the new link went live in early December. Ekinops deployed its 200G muxponders, allowing up to 8 Tbps (terabits per second) transmission between the two locations. The new Ekinops equipment replaced 10 Gbps equipment that simply could no longer scale to meet Dailymotion’s needs.

“To enhance the quality of service of our video platform, and to be prepared for future booming demand, we decided to drastically increase the interconnection capacity between our data centers,” said Pierre-Yves Maunier, Network Architect at Dailymotion, which is part of Vivendi, the international media and content group. “Ekinops offered us an efficient and cost-effective 200G solution that is easy to use and extremely scalable.”

“With this advanced Ekinops equipment, Dailymotion now has in place a very flexible and essentially future-proof network,” said Jonathan Amir, VP of EMEA sales at Ekinops. “And when it does need additional capacity, extending that capacity will be a simple process. Dailymotion is definitely ready for future surges in video demand.”

About Dailymotion
Dailymotion is the video platform with best player to watch and share the events and the ideas that keep the world surprising and diverse: sports competitions, music festivals, comedy skits, political debates, fashion shows, gaming live-streams… Upload videos to connect with a passionate audience anywhere, anytime. Dailymotion is part of Vivendi, the international media and content group. It attracts 300 million users who watch 3 billion videos on its player each month (Sitecatalyst, Jan 2015). For more information, please visit www.dailymotion.com  and press.dailymotion.com.

About Ekinops
Ekinops is a leading supplier of next generation optical transport equipment for telecommunications service providers. The Ekinops 360 addresses Metro, Regional, and Long-Haul applications with a single, highly-integrated platform. Ekinops is a market-leading innovator in 100G transport with a coherent line of products that truly optimizes optical networks and comes in 1RU, 2RU or 7RU chassis. The Ekinops 360 relies on the highly-programmable Ekinops T-Chip® (Transport-on-a-Chip) architecture that enables fast, flexible and cost-effective delivery of new services for high-speed, high-capacity transport. Using the Ekinops 360 carrier-grade system, operators can simply increase capacity of their networks – CWDM, DWDM, Ethernet, ESCON, Fibre Channel, SONET/SDH, and uncompressed video (HD-SDI, SD-SDI, ASI). Ekinops is headquartered in Lannion, France, and Ekinops Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary, is incorporated in the USA. For more information, visit www.ekinops.net

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Corning Honored with Technology & Engineering Emmy Award



Low-loss optical fiber, invented by Corning decades ago, continues to revolutionize broadcast technology in a bandwidth-hungry world

Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) has received a Technology & Engineering Emmy® award from The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for its 1970 invention of low-loss optical fiber.

The award honors breakthrough innovations that materially affected television engineering. Corning received the award in the category of Pioneering Invention and Deployment of Fiber Optic Cable at the 68th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy awards in Las Vegas.

“The ability to view high-quality video at any time of the day, from almost any place on a variety of connected and mobile devices, is commonplace today. But it would not be possible without the broad deployment of optical fiber,” said Corning Executive Vice President Clark Kinlin. “It’s impossible to imagine the television industry today without the virtually limitless bandwidth capability of optical fiber. It was born in Corning labs in 1970, and our scientists haven’t stopped improving it since.”

Corning scientists Drs. Robert Maurer, Donald Keck, and Peter Schultz developed the first low-loss optical fiber capable of maintaining the strength of laser light signals over significant distances. The breakthrough helped solve the problem network carriers then faced in handling the growing volume of information with the transmission limitations of copper lines.

The invention – which earned the scientists many honors including a National Medal of Technology in 2000 – unleashed a communications revolution, with data traveling at the speed of light.

Today, optical fiber – with the bandwidth to stream two million high-definition videos at the same time – is the ideal enabler of advancements in high-speed communication.
Because even wireless signals must interconnect with a network, optical fiber has become the key element in a world where streaming media on the move has become the norm.

When coupled with the powerful optical fiber infrastructure, other Corning glass technologies – like smart surfaces that come to life with multi-functionality – are presenting a host of other new possibilities. Just a few examples: smarter, more connected cars; faster, more efficient communications; richer entertainment experiences; and more effective health care.

“As was envisioned in our ‘A Day Made of Glass’ videos, our portfolio of glass products both redefine the simplest of today’s activities and make new things possible,” Kinlin said. “We’re grateful to be recognized by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and, just as we’ve always done, we remain committed to bringing glass-related innovations to the continuously evolving communications and entertainment industries.”
About The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a professional service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime Entertainment, Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment, Public & Community Service, and Technology & Engineering. NATAS membership consists of over 16,000 broadcast and media professionals represented in 19 regional chapters across the country.  Beyond awards, NATAS has extensive educational programs including Regional Student Television and its Student Award for Excellence for outstanding journalistic work by high school students, as well as scholarships, publications, and major activities for both industry professionals and the viewing public.  For more information, please visit the website at www.emmyonline.tv

About Corning Incorporated
Corning (www.corning.com) is one of the world’s leading innovators in materials science. For more than 160 years, Corning has applied its unparalleled expertise in specialty glass, ceramics, and optical physics to develop products that have created new industries and transformed people’s lives. Corning succeeds through sustained investment in R&D, a unique combination of material and process innovation, and close collaboration with customers to solve tough technology challenges. Corning’s businesses and markets are constantly evolving. Today, Corning’s products enable diverse industries such as consumer electronics, telecommunications, transportation, and life sciences. They include damage-resistant cover glass for smartphones and tablets; precision glass for advanced displays; optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions for high-speed communications networks; trusted products that accelerate drug discovery and manufacturing; and emissions-control products for cars, trucks, and off-road vehicles.

Quantum Fusion Splicer - Sumitomo Electric Lightwave (SEL)


SEL Launches New Fusion Splicer and Data Center Solutions at BICSI Winter 2017


Raleigh, NC – 1/20/2017 – Sumitomo Electric Lightwave (SEL), a Sumitomo Electric Industries Group company, is set to launch new products and solutions at the BICSI Winter Conference in Tampa, FL. The event will take place at the Tampa Convention Center from January 23-25. The highlight of the BICSI product launch will be the new Q102-CA core alignment fusion splicer.



The Q102-CA fusion splicer, the latest innovation to the Quantum Fusion Splicer line, features a rapid 5 second splice time making it a leader in the splicer industry. Patented dual independent ovens and a new “smart-phone like” user interface also accompanies the new splicer. The Q102-CA will be available for demo during the BICSI exhibition.

SEL will also release an 864F Field Transition Module for high density applications. The new transition module achieves the highest density of LC connections per rack in the industry – 288 LC Connections per 2 Rack Unit – and compliments SEL’s PrecisionFlex® Patch Panel portfolio.

For more information about Sumitomo Electric Lightwave’s products, services, or upcoming tradeshows visit www.sumitomoelectric.com or call toll-free at 1-800-358-7378.

Sumitomo Electric Lightwave will exhibit at booth 343. For more information on how to register to attend the event visit www.bicsi.org.

About Sumitomo Electric Lightwave

Sumitomo Electric Lightwave (SEL) is a recognized leader in optical fiber technologies and solutions for data center, enterprise, and communication networks. Drawing from research and development from its parent company, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave offers a variety of advanced products in ribbon technology, air-blown fiber, fusion splicing, PON technologies, and connectivity solutions including splice-on connectors. For more information on Sumitomo Electric Lightwave or its products, visit www.sumitomoelectric.com or call toll-free at 1-800-358-7378.

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Joint Venture Manufacturing – Planar Lightwave Circuits and Optical Semiconductors


Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. (President: Mitsuyoshi Shibata; hereinafter, Furukawa Electric) announced that it reached an agreement with NTT Electronics Corporation (President and Chief Operating Officer: Kazuo Hagimoto; hereinafter, NTT Electronics) to establish two joint venture manufacturing companies for planar lightwave circuits and optical semiconductors.

Background
The need for stable and efficient supply capability of optical components has increased in response to the demand created by rapid growth in cloud services.

Objective
Furukawa Electric and NTT Electronics seek to create stable product supply capabilities for planar lightwave circuits and optical semiconductors by promoting efficient use of both companies’ manufacturing resources and by strengthening their business continuity plans.

New Company Overview

Company Names

  • NTT Electronics Optech Corporation
    • Planar Lighwave Circuit Manufacture
    • Capital: JPY100 million
    • Investment Ratio:
      • NTT Electronics: 80%
      • Furukawa Electric: 20%
    • Operation Start: April 2017 (Anticipated)           
  • Furukawa FITEL Optical Device Co., Ltd.
    • Optical Semiconductor Manufacture
    • Capital: JPY100 million
    • Investment Ratio:
      • Furukawa Electric: 60%
      • NTT Electronics: 40%
    • Operation Start: April 2017 (Anticipated)