Future Platform for Mobile Communication

Chairman of the Board NEC I see three driving forces in the IT revolution that are actualizing an Information Society: first, the Internet global, ever expanding nature and second, mobile ability to create the ultimate personal information tool. And last, at the heart of these forces is the cutting-edge semiconductor device. Especially in mobile where products are composed primarily of semiconductors, we see that the creation of advanced semiconductor devices controls to a large degree the superior nature of the mobile product. Mobile products must balance many constraining criteria such as size and weight against functionality such as low power consumption. There are also a wide array of technologies involved such as low power consumption circuit design, flash memory and RF power device. Additionally, intellectual property has become even more important. Moreover, the harmonization of semiconductor technology and peripheral technologies such as small-scale, light weight packaging technology, long life rechargeable batteries and flat panel displays has become an important factor. This keynote speech will focus on 1) the future of mobile technology and 2) the structural changes occurring in the semiconductor industry. In discussing these two trends, I will address the potential shape of the mobile communication platform of tomorrow. About Hajime Sasaki Mr. Hajime Sasaki was born in 1936. After receiving a master's degree of engineering in the field of electrical engineering from the graduate school of the University of Tokyo in 1961, he joined NEC Corporation. He served as General Manager of the VLSI Development Division and General Manager of the Microcomputer Products Division before being elected to the Board of Directors in 1988. He was appointed Senior Executive Vice President in 1996 in charge of semiconductors operations, and in 1999 elected to his current position of Chairman of the Board. Mr. Sasaki received the commendation from the Minister of State for Science and Technology, as a person of scientific and technological merits in 1995. He is a fellow of IEEE since 1996. In 1999 he became the Chairperson of the Communications Industry Association of Japan. In 2000 he received the Third Millennium Medal from IEEE. Also he was elected as the member of NAE (National Academy of Engineering).