News
News 1
ETRI Sets International Standards for AI Policy Intelligence in Public Decision-Making
- AI and Data-Based Public Policy Support: Adoption of Data Framework Standard
- Government Policy Implementation Enhanced by AI for Efficient Decision-Making and Optimal Policy Support
ITU-T SG11 meeting
South Korean research team is developing technology that leverages cutting-edge ICT to assist in the implementation of various government policies using big data. This groundbreaking technology has recently achieved the milestone of being included in international standards.
Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced that during the International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) SG11 (Protocol and Test Specifications Study Group) meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland from the 1st to the 10th of May, the data framework management interface to assist public decision-making was adopted as a new work item international standard1).
The newly adopted international standard is titled the “Data management interfaces for public decision-making framework2) on intelligent edge computing3).” It defines interfaces4) and protocols5) for developing AI policy intelligence, resulting from efforts to support government decision-making in finance and economics. By establishing this standard in advance, it provides guidelines and an efficient research environment for various researchers developing AI in the public sector.
The data framework standard includes:
- Collection and management of social and economic big data.
- Data pipelines for training AI6).
- Workflow7) management integrated through DevOps (Development and Operations)8).
This framework maximizes development productivity by pre-providing common foundational structures and functions necessary for policy intelligence development and data operation.
1) Name of the Newly Adopted International Standard
- ITU-T Q.IEC-PDMF: Data management interfaces for public decision-making framework on intelligent edge computing
2) Framework: A collection of software that provides essential functionalities such as execution engine, component management, fault tolerance processing, time synchronization, and communication middleware to ensure stable operation of components.
3) Intelligent Edge Computing: Edge computing technology that uses AI to provide real-time data analysis, processing, and resource management functions at edge equipments.
4) Interface: The contact or boundary between two different systems or devices where information or signals are exchanged, which is the subject of this standard.
5) Protocol: A set of rules defining how data is exchanged within or between computers, which is the subject of this standard.
6) Data Pipelines for Training AI: A structure where the output of one data processing stage is connected as the input for the next stage.
7) Workflow: The flow of tasks or processes.
8) DevOps (Development and Operations): A methodology that integrates software development and IT operations to enhance collaboration and efficiency.
You Tae Wan, Senior Researcher
Fiscal and Economic Policy Intelligence Research Center
(+82-42-860-0642 twyou@etri.re.kr)
News 2
ETRI Pioneers Mass Production of Quantum Dot Lasers for Optical Communications
- Reducing Semiconductor Laser Production Costs by 1/6 with Quantum Dot Lasers for Optical Communications
- Using 6-Inch Substrates Instead of 2-Inch: Time Reduction and Mass Production Achieved
Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD)
South Korean researchers have successfully developed technology to mass-produce quantum dot lasers, widely used in data centers and quantum communications. This breakthrough paves the way for reducing the production cost of semiconductor lasers to one-sixth of the current cost.
Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced that they have developed, for the first time in Korea, technology to mass-produce quantum dot lasers, previously only used for research, using Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) systems.
The ETRI Optical Communication Components Research Section has successfully developed indium arsenide/gallium arsenide (InAs/GaAs) quantum dot laser diodes on gallium-arsenic (GaAs) substrates, which are suitable for the 1.3 μm wavelength band* used in optical communications.
Traditionally, quantum dot laser diodes were produced using Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE), but this method was inefficient due to its slow growth speed, making mass production challenging. By utilizing MOCVD, which has higher production efficiency, the research team has significantly enhanced the productivity of quantum dot laser manufacturing. Quantum dot lasers are known for their excellent temperature characteristics and strong tolerance to substrate defects, allowing for larger substrate areas and consequently lower power consumption and production costs.
* Optical Communication Wavelength Band (1260~1360nm)
Data on quantum dot laser high-temperature operation (75 degrees Celsius)
The newly developed quantum dot manufacturing technology boasts high density and good uniformity. The produced quantum dot semiconductor lasers demonstrated continuous operation at temperatures up to 75 degrees Celsius, showing a world-leading achievement in the results obtained via MOCVD.
Comparison of 2-inch and 6-inch compound semiconductor substrates
Won Seok Han, Director
Optical Communication Components Research Section
(+82-42-860-1167 wshan@etri.re.kr)
News 3
ETRI Creates 3D Shapes from a Flat Surface Using LEDs
- Tactile Display Capable of Reproducing 3D Shapes and Textures on Flat Surfaces for Various Applications
- Immersive applications such as information delivery for the visually impaired, vehicle UI, education, etc.
Nature Communications (IF=16.6) published the paper on March 22
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-46709-7
A team of South Korean researchers has developed a groundbreaking haptic (tactile) display technology that is attracting global attention. This innovation allows users to physically experience 3D shapes and various textures, opening up potential applications in information delivery devices for the visually impaired, vehicle interfaces, metaverse applications, educational tools, and more.
Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced the development of a display technology that generates three-dimensional tactile sensations using a photo-thermal elastic variable film. The results of this research were published in Nature Communications on March 22nd and were selected as a featured article.
This technology uses infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to adjust the intensity of light, enabling precise control of the height and elasticity of tactile elements with sizes of several millimeters (mm) on a smooth film surface.
The tactile display developed by ETRI can directly represent braille, text, and various three-dimensional shapes. The key differentiator is its ability to finely control elasticity and temperature for different sections, accurately reproducing varying heights and textures.
Tactile Display Structure and Operation Principle
The core of this technology lies in a functional polymer film structure composed of two thin layers, as thin as a strand of hair. The lower photo-thermal layer, facing the LED, absorbs light and generates heat. The upper variable elastic layer is hard at room temperature but becomes very soft when the heat from the photo-thermal layer causes it to undergo a glass-to-rubber transition at around 50 degrees Celsius.
3D Shape and Elasticity Representation by the Tactile Display
In this state, applying air pressure underneath the film causes it to swell according to the amount of heat absorbed, creating a tactile 3D shape. The maximum height of the 3D shape produced by a 4mm diameter element is 1.4mm, about twice that of a typical braille display, and can be finely controlled in 0.1mm increments based on the intensity of the LED light.
Notably, when the light is turned off, the upper layer cools and hardens again, allowing the shape to withstand touch without consuming additional power.
The research team focused on developing 3D elements based on light-responsive thermoelastic variable materials and a sensory perception model for 3D deformation.
ETRI researchers developed a 3D tactile display that can adjust softness (left) and the LED substrate used (right).
An example of the letter “E” displayed in 3D using the tactile display developed by ETRI’s research team.
Inwook Hwang, Ph. D, Principal Researcher
Tangible Interface Creative Research Section
(+82-42-860-6584 inux@etri.re.kr)
Sungryul Yun, Ph. D, Director
Tangible Interface Creative Research Section
(+82-42-860-5877 sungryul@etri.re.kr)
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