DoCoMo USA Labs: Our Labs / Mobile Software Laboratory

The mobile software laboratory investigates software structures for handsets and servers for 4G generation networks. The goals of our research are to enable the creation of new applications, the easy deployment of new applications, and the maintenance of network nodes and end user devices. Our current generation of services is based on i-mode and i-appli infrastructures. These have been very successful in drawing new content and applications for our customers. Our view of next generation networks is that they are dynamic and open. The networks are open in that third parties can participate in our networks and devices more easily and, dynamic in that new features can be added to networks and devices after deployment since it is impossible for us to predict all the features that are required by our networks and devices at deployment time. In addition to the creation of new services and their upgrades we would like to reduce the cost of deploying new services and upgrading them. In addition, the hardware in our phones is also becoming richer with high quality cameras, large amounts of storage and a multitude of network interfaces. This combination for open phones with complex hardware and new user applications leads to significant challenges for the software on the phones and in our networks.

In the mobile software laboratory, we are developing new software to addresses these challenges. We are addressing these challenges by developing new software in three critical areas: operating systems, middleware and phone security.

Our laboratory conducts collaborative research and development with leading partner companies and universities worldwide. Through these collaborative partnerships we are able to undertake more complex and meaningful projects that can significantly impact our future services.

Nayeem Islam, Ph.D.
Vice President & Lab Director