Progress of Basic Technologies to Achieve Society 5.0

We will explore the history of the evolution of networks, the foundation of Society 5.0.

This course provides minimal introductory explanations of technology; instead, it focuses on deepening students' understandings of networks by discussing the history of the factors compelling their development, how notable technologies were developed, and what kind of networks were created as a result.

Society 5.0, networking, communication standardization, wireless networks, the Internet, security

1) Guidance
Outline of the course and how to participate. Over the course of 15 classes, seven themes are presented. Each theme is studied over two weeks. Students will be asked to submit a research assignment for each theme.

2 and 3) Theme 1: What is communication?
What is communication?: Sending information to distant points The first method of communication was smoke signals. We will take a look at the basics of communication based on smoke signals. This is where telecommunications, optical communications, and wireless communications begin.

4 and 5) Theme 2: The encounter between communications and computers
The encounter with computers dramatically expanded the role of communication. In the early days of networks, [large computers] and [terminals] were connected by cables to send characters. Eventually, with the development of microprocessors, terminals became no different from large computers in terms of processing power. Then, information began to be exchanged between terminals. How have networks changed in the process?

6 and 7) Theme 3: The emergence of wireless networks
Early telecommunications networks were wired using cables. However, wireless formats are most convenient. In particular, wireless communication is indispensable for collecting sensor information from various areas and for people who move around with their terminals.

8 and 9) Theme 4: Conversion of communication methods
Conventional communication was pay-as-you-go, where the usage fee was determined by the time of use. However, this does not allow it to be used to sense and communicate circumstances 24 hours a day. Moreover, you end up having to use the Internet while worrying about the time. A certain shift in thinking was that no matter how much time you spend, the fee is a fixed amount, or the fees are decided by the data that you send. What caused this shift?

10 and 11) Theme 5: The emergence of the Internet
How did the Internet, which is now an indispensable part of our lives, come about? We look at the world of the Internet, which connects information devices from all over the world.

12 and 13) Theme 6: Cryptography
In order to use communication as social infrastructure, it is necessary to be able to send personal information safely and to have mechanisms to identify whether the other party is the right person. This is where cryptography comes in.

14 and 15) Theme 7: Society 5.0
These sessions will present an overview of the future society the world is aiming for, Society 5.0. The underlying technologies of Society 5.0 are IoT, AI, and 5G. What kind of society is being created?
*At the end of these sessions, we will complete a course survey.

Syllabus (Japanese site only)