Press Releases

Kawasaki, Japan, Feb 10, 2010 - (ACN Newswire) - Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. and the University of Toronto today announced their joint development of a new processing method for transceiver chips used in gigabit-class(1) high-speed data transmission over wirelines. The new technology employs digital circuitry to replace previously-required structures that used analog circuits. While analog processing require circuits that are adapted to the specifications of a signal being transmitted, such as transmission distance and amplitude, this new digital approach can perform these optimizations automatically, so that a single circuit could be used to accommodate a wide range of various wireline communications. Compared to conventional processing methods, this new digital-processing method makes it possible to shorten development periods by approximately half. It is anticipated that this new technology in the future could be applied to a variety of wireline communication applications, including 10 Gbps high-speed Ethernet in datacenters.

Details of this technology were presented at the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference 2010 (ISSCC 2010) being held in San Francisco from February 7-11. (Presentation number: 8.7)

Background and Technological Challenges

File size data volumes for large photographic, audio, and video files are becoming increasingly larger, thus requiring a significant amount of bandwidth to transmit, leading to demand for ever-faster wireline data communications. Conventional transceiver chips rely on analog circuitry which needs to be optimized to accommodate specifications of the signal being transmitted - such as transmission distance and amplitude - and therefore require multiple transceiver chips to be designed in order to accommodate for various applications.

With a growing diversity of devices featuring high-speed data transmission, the need to optimize an existing technology for every new type of device or model has become a bottleneck in the development process. Efforts to develop transceiver chips within short development periods that can accommodate the wide range of different devices have been proven challenging.

Newly-developed Technology

Fujitsu Laboratories and the University of Toronto have developed a digital circuit-based transceiver chip. Featuring digital circuitry, the new transceiver chip can automatically optimize itself for a variety of high-speed communications circuits, thus significantly reducing development periods by approximately half compared with conventional methods.

This technology detects variations in the delay on the time axis of the input signal, caused during data transmission, and based on that can automatically adjust the timing it uses for judging whether an incoming signal is a 0 or 1 (Figure 1). Since variations in data transmissions increase along with faster transmission speeds, this new technology is essential for accurate data exchange. This is the world's first technology to achieve Gbps-class speeds without the use of analog circuitry elements, while offering fully-digital timing adjustments for signal-determination.

Results

As a world's first, by using digital circuitry-based high-speed transceiver technology, Fujitsu Laboratories and the University of Toronto's new technology makes it possible to reduce the design and development period for a gigabit-class transceiver chip by approximately one-half (1/2) compared with conventional methods. This suggests that transceiver chips for a wide range of communications devices could be offered in a timely manner.

Future Developments

Fujitsu Laboratories and the University of Toronto will continue with development of this technology to optimize the digital signal processing, to further reduce the transceiver's power consumption.

Glossary and Notes

1 Gigabit-class/Gigabits-per-second (Gbps):Gigabits-per-second (Gbps) expresses data rate and indicates how many gigabits can be transferred per second. 10 Gbps is 10 billion bits-per-second (10 billion bps) = 10,000 megabits-per-second (10,000 Mbps), and indicates that 10 billion bits of data can be transferred per second.

About University of Toronto

Established in 1827, the University of Toronto is Canada's largest university, recognized as a global leader in research and teaching. U of T's distinguished faculty, institutional record of groundbreaking scholarship and wealth of innovative academic opportunities continually attract outstanding students and academics from around the world. U of T is committed to providing a learning experience that benefits from both a scale almost unparalleled in North America and from the close-knit learning communities made possible through its college system and academic divisions. Located in and around Toronto, one of the world's most diverse regions, U of T's vibrant academic life is defined by a unique degree of cultural diversity in its learning community. The University is sustained environmentally by three green campuses, where renowned heritage buildings stand beside award-winning innovations in architectural design.

For more information: http://www.utoronto.ca/

About Fujitsu Ltd

Fujitsu is a leading provider of IT-based business solutions for the global marketplace. With approximately 160,000 employees supporting customers in 70 countries, Fujitsu combines a worldwide corps of systems and services experts with highly reliable computing and communications products and advanced microelectronics to deliver added value to customers. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.6 trillion yen (US$47 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. For more information, please visit www.fujitsu.com.

Contact: Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.
Design Solutions Lab.
Platform Technologies Lab.
Tel: +81-44-754-2635
E-mail:hsio_adc_pr@ml.labs.fujitsu.com

University of Toronto
Prof. Ali Sheikholeslami
Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Tel: +1(416)978-1681
E-mail:ali@eecg.utoronto.ca
Address: 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G4

Copyright 2010 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved.

Kawasaki, Japan, Feb 10, 2010 - (ACN Newswire) - Fujitsu Laboratories Limited and the University of Toronto today announced that they have jointly developed the world's first high-reliability read-method for use with spin-torque-transfer (STT) MRAM(1) that is insusceptible to erroneous writes. STT MRAM is regarded as a potential future form of non-volatile memory(2) that could be used as an alternative to flash memory. NOR flash memory that is embedded in microcontrollers widely used in mobile phones and other electronic devices is expected to reach the limits of its feasible miniaturization in the near future, which has led to the search for an alternative low-power non-volatile memory that will allow continued necessary miniaturization. By resolving one of the major obstacles to using STT MRAM, Fujitsu and the University of Toronto's new read-method marks a major step towards the practical implementation of STT MRAM as a necessary replacement for flash memory, in view of future requirements that will be necessary for compact and low-power electronic devices.

Details of this technology were presented at the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference 2010 (ISSCC 2010) being held in San Francisco from February 7-11. (Presentation number: 14.1)

Background

Many electronic devices such as mobile phones or PDAs use microcontrollers with embedded flash memory, which allows onboard software to be rewritten. However, NOR flash memory used in such microcontrollers is nearing the physical limits of its miniaturization, which has led to research on various types of memory that could replace NOR flash memory.

STT MRAM, which uses magnetic materials as the memory storage element, is gaining attention as an emerging potential candidate to replace flash memory, as STT MRAM meets the needs for speed, low power consumption, and miniaturization that would make it a good candidate to replace flash memory.

Technological Challenges

STT MRAM uses memory storage elements that take advantage of the effect in which a current that is passed through a magnetic material - such as a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ)(3) - reverses its direction of magnetization (Figure 1). Passing a current through the MTJ causes its direction of magnetization to switch between a parallel or anti-parallel state, which has the effect of switching between low resistance and high resistance. Because this can be used to represent the 1s and 0s of digital information, STT MRAM can be used as a non-volatile memory.

Reading STT MRAM involves applying a voltage to the MTJ to discover whether the MTJ offers high resistance to current ("1") or low ("0"). However, a relatively high voltage needs to be applied to the MTJ to correctly determine whether its resistance is high or low, and the current passed at this voltage leaves little difference between the read-current and the write-current. Any fluctuation in the electrical characteristics of individual MTJs could cause what was intended as a read-current, to have the effect of a write-current, thus reversing the direction of magnetization of the MTJ.

Newly-developed Technology

In a joint collaboration, Fujitsu Laboratories and the University of Toronto have developed an innovative circuit design (Figure 3) that for the first time resolves the issue of erroneous writes in STT MRAM during read operations.

The newly developed read-method uses a negative resistance(4) that is intermediate between the MTJ's high resistance and low resistance on a parallel circuit (Figure 4). If the MTJ is in a high-resistance state, this circuit exhibits negative-resistance characteristics. If the MTJ is in a low-resistance state, then it exhibits normal-resistance characteristics. These characteristics allow the resistance value to be read at lower voltages than before, suppressing the tendency of the read operation to reverse the direction of magnetization and avoiding the problem of erroneous write operations.

Results

The development of this new read circuit with negative resistance has resulted in STT MRAM that is insusceptible to erroneous writes caused by fluctuations in the electrical characteristics of the MTJs. It is anticipated that the STT MRAM used as miniaturized non-volatile memory would enable greater high-performance in mobile phones and other electronic devices.

Future Developments

Fujitsu Laboratories and the University of Toronto plan to continue with R&D related to STT MRAM to strive toward practical implementation, such as lowering write currents and developing process technologies for further miniaturization.

Glossary and Notes

1 Spin- Torque-Transfer MRAM:Spin-torque-transfer magnetoresistive (STT) random access memory. MRAM that uses the "spin-torque-transfer" effect to reverse the direction of magnetization of an element by passing current through it.

2 Non-volatile memory:Memory that persists even when electrical power is cut.

3 Magnetic tunnel junction (MJT):A tunnel junction that uses the magnetoresistive effect. Consists of a recording layer made of ferromagnetic material, an insulating film a few atoms thick, and a layer made of ferromagnetic material that will not change its direction of magnetization in the presence of a current.

4 Negative resistance:An element that has negative resistance value, in which its current decreases when voltage rises.

About University of Toronto

Established in 1827, the University of Toronto is Canada's largest university, recognized as a global leader in research and teaching. U of T's distinguished faculty, institutional record of groundbreaking scholarship and wealth of innovative academic opportunities continually attract outstanding students and academics from around the world. U of T is committed to providing a learning experience that benefits from both a scale almost unparalleled in North America and from the close-knit learning communities made possible through its college system and academic divisions. Located in and around Toronto, one of the world's most diverse regions, U of T's vibrant academic life is defined by a unique degree of cultural diversity in its learning community. The University is sustained environmentally by three green campuses, where renowned heritage buildings stand beside award-winning innovations in architectural design.

For more information: http://www.utoronto.ca/

About Fujitsu Ltd

Fujitsu is a leading provider of IT-based business solutions for the global marketplace. With approximately 160,000 employees supporting customers in 70 countries, Fujitsu combines a worldwide corps of systems and services experts with highly reliable computing and communications products and advanced microelectronics to deliver added value to customers. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.6 trillion yen (US$47 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. For more information, please visit www.fujitsu.com.

Contact: Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.
Technology Integration Lab.
Platform Technologies Lab.
Tel: +81(46)250-8379
E-mail:til-si@ml.labs.fujitsu.com

University of Toronto
Prof. Ali Sheikholeslami
Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Tel: +1(416)978-1681
E-mail:ali@eecg.utoronto.ca
Address: 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G4 Canada

Copyright 2010 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved.

Fort Hays State University online degree rated most affordable at $6,975 -- far below average of $17,000

ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GetEducated.com, LLC, has released its national reviews and college affordability rankings of online university masters degrees in criminal justice, law and legal studies. The college rankings are based on a survey of 31 regionally accredited universities that offer 42 distance masters in justice studies, homeland security, criminology, law and legal studies.

Fort Hays State University (Kansas) rated number one on GetEducated.com's Best Buy rankings for its distance masters in liberal studies with a concentration in criminal justice. Online students nationwide will pay a remarkably low tuition of under $7,000 for this degree earned through distance education.

New Mexico State University ranked number two at $9,692, with the American Military University rating number three at $9,900 for its distance learning graduate degrees.

By comparison, the online education reviewers found the average cost for a distance education masters in the justice and law career area came in at just over $17,700. The distance learning experts reviewed degrees relevant to careers in security, police enforcement, law enforcement, law, paralegal, criminology, health law, corrections, probation, homeland security and computer forensics and cyber security.

A complete list of GetEducated.com's Top Ranked Best Values in Online Masters in Law & Criminal Justice can be viewed online.

The University of Phoenix, America's largest for-profit online college, failed to make the Best Buy list. Phoenix ranked as one of the most expensive online degrees in the career area of justice. A masters of administration in criminal justice through distance learning at Phoenix costs just over $23,000, more than three times the cost of the top ranked best buy on the list.

Boston University rated as the most expensive online degree at just over $30,000.

GetEducated.com is owned by distance education experts whose mission is to help consumers get educated about quality online university degrees. The online education experts review, rate and rank accredited distance degrees nationwide for cost, quality and credibility. The firm's comprehensive online university directory features the only verified online student reviews on the Web.

    Source: GetEducated.com, LLC

The Javelin Strategy & Research 2010 Identity Fraud Survey confirms Identity Theft Assistance Center model is effective at detecting and preventing ID theft

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Last year the economy helped drive up the number of identity theft cases and the overall cost of identity fraud, but consumers had lower out of pocket costs and resolution times fell 30% to 21 hours, according to the Javelin Strategy & Research 2010 Identity Fraud Survey Report, co-sponsored by ITAC, the Identity Theft Assistance Center.

"We sponsored this research because everyone - consumers, policymakers and businesses - need facts, not anecdotes, to fight identity theft effectively," said ITAC President Anne Wallace. "Understanding criminal methods and consumer behavior lets us hone tools and educational messages that work."

The research also shows that financial services companies continue to excel in detecting fraud and alerting their customers. More than one-third of victims first learned about the fraud from their financial institution. "Faster detection translates into lower costs for consumers and faster resolution means less stress and anxiety for victims," said Wallace. "We're encouraged by these findings because ITAC and its members are committed to partnering with consumers and law enforcement to fight identity fraud."

Javelin confirms that solutions like ITAC that integrate consumer protection and education into a boarder program to combat identity theft are the most effective. Only with such continued efforts can consumers stay one step ahead of fraudsters and protect their information - stopping fraud preemptively before it occurs or detecting it in real-time, the report states.

"Other industries like the health care community, which our research shows experienced a rise in health insurance information theft, should consider adopting the ITAC model to prevent fraud and help consumers resolve fraud when it does happen," said James Van Dyke, president and founder, Javelin Strategy & Research.

The Javelin research also revealed a need for better consumer education for consumers ages 18 to 24: it takes young adults nearly twice as many days to detect fraud, compared to other age groups, and thus are fraud victims for longer periods of time. They are less likely to monitor accounts regularly and the least likely group to take advantage of monitoring programs offered by financial institutions. They are also more likely to be victimized by people they know.

"Small behavioral changes can pay big dividends when it comes to managing risk, whether it's a parent telling young people not to share PIN numbers, a school offering free anti-virus spyware, or their bank providing anti-fraud services," according to ITAC board member Debbie Ward, head of Risk Operations/Fraud Prevention Services at Wells Fargo. "Wells Fargo offers a free Hands on Banking money management program for all consumers featuring a special course for young adults on how they can protect themselves and their money."

Going forward, ITAC will use the Javelin report as a roadmap to develop targeted educational messages to help groups that may be at risk of identity fraud. ITAC offers consumers these basic tips on reducing their risk:

    --  Keep sensitive information from prying eyes.Request electronic
        statements, use direct deposit, don't put checks in an unlocked mailbox.
        At home or at work, keep all personal and financial records in a locked
        storage device or behind a password. When someone requests your Social
        Security Number, ask if you can provide alternate information
    --  Prevent online identity theft. Install software against viruses and
        spyware and keep it updated along with your applications and operating
        system. Never respond to urgent e-mail requests for personal or account
        information. Use unique, hard-to-guess passwords. Turn off Bluetooth and
        Wi-Fi when not in use.
    --  Monitor accounts for suspicious activity. Monitor bank and credit card
        accounts weekly, via online, mobile, ATM or touch-tone banking. Sign up
        for fraud alerts to be sent to your mobile phone or e-mail account.
        Request a free copy of your credit report each year at
        www.annualcreditreport.com or 877-322-8228. If you receive a notice that
        your private records were involved in a data breach, take advantage of
        any free protection services that are offered and place a fraud alert on
        your credit report.
    --  Contact your financial services company at the first sign of fraud. The
        Javelin research shows you can minimize the damage of identity theft by
        acting quickly to resolve it. Most financial services companies offer
        zero-liability protection for debit and credit cards.

About ITAC

ITAC, the Identity Theft Assistance Center, is a nonprofit coalition of financial services companies that display the ITAC logo to demonstrate their commitment to protecting customers from identity theft. ITAC's victim assistance service - which has helped more than 65,000 consumers recover from identity theft - is available at no cost to the millions of consumers who have an account at an ITAC member company. Through its partner Intersections Inc., ITAC offers the ITAC Sentinel(R) identity management service (www.itacsentinel.com).

    Source: Identity Theft Assistance Center