NTT Corporation (NTT) has introduced a large-scale integration (LSI) chip to handle real-time artificial intelligence (AI) inference of ultra-high-definition (UHD) video—up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second—while consuming minimal power.
The new technology addresses the limitations of traditional systems, which often require video compression for real-time AI processing, especially in edge and power-restricted environments.
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The low-power LSI presents possibilities for drone operations at higher altitudes. When installed on a drone, the chip can detect objects from heights of up to 150 meters (the legal limit in Japan), far surpassing the current 30-meter range offered by conventional AI systems. This advancement supports use cases such as remote infrastructure inspections beyond the visual line of sight, potentially lowering both labor demands and operational costs.
“The combination of low-power AI inferencing with ultra-high-definition video holds an enormous amount of potential, from infrastructure inspection, to public safety, to live sporting events,” said Kazu Gomi, President and CEO of NTT Research. “NTT’s LSI, which we believe to be the first-of-its-kind to achieve such results, represents an important step forward in enabling AI inference at the edge and for power-constrained terminals.”
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Unlike traditional AI servers powered by high-consumption graphics processing units (GPUs), which consume hundreds of watts, edge AI devices typically operate under tight power constraints (tens of watts). NTT’s proprietary AI inference engine reduces computational complexity while maintaining detection accuracy using techniques like interframe correlation and dynamic bit-precision control. The chip supports real-time object detection due to the YOLOv3 algorithm while keeping power usage under 20 watts.
Commercial rollout is planned for the fiscal year 2025 through NTT Innovative Devices Corporation.
NTT researchers are exploring how the new chip could enhance the data-centric infrastructure (DCI) of the company’s Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) Initiative. The DCI, supported by the IOWN Global Forum, utilizes the ultra-fast and low-latency All-Photonics Network to tackle key networking challenges including scalability and energy efficiency.
NTT is also working with NTT DATA, Inc. to integrate the LSI with its proprietary Attribute-Based Encryption (ABE) technologies. ABE offers secure, fine-grained access control and policy customization at the data layer, paving the way for advanced data-sharing solutions across various applications.
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