Electronics, Information and Communication Engineering
Program

Acquiring comprehensive skills that support advanced-technology societies

Features of the program

The fields of electronics, information and communication engineering provide key technology that plays a highly significant role in ensuring the development and progress of a society with advanced science and technology. Electronics, information and communication engineering cover a highly diverse range of areas, from hardware to software, and such knowledge and technology are in demand from many directions. This program responds to such demands from society by providing a broad range of basic to applied level education and research in areas such as the development and use of electronic devices, optoelectronics, information and communications, signal processing, system control, and electric energy, and thereby turning students into competent specialists with a combination of sound academic ability and creativity.
We also discover and research unique interdisciplinary research topics, and pursue the development of cutting-edge technology.

Program of education

Electronics, information and communication engineering cover a vast range of specialist fields- such as electronic devices, information transmission, processing, and measurement using electromagnetic waves and light, information and communication theory, signal and image processing, and the generation and distribution of electrical energy-and there is widespread demand for knowledge and technology in these areas. The curriculum of this program therefore allows students to build on a foundation of mathematics and physics through classes in small groups that allow them to gradually acquire knowledge and skills in specialist fields. The curriculum has also been devised such that students equip themselves with the skills they need to play key roles in society, such as the ability to make interpretations from various angles, to communicate effectively, and to adopt an ethical perspective.

Introduction to classes

Basics of Communications Systems

The progress of information communication technology (ICT), represented by technology such as cell phones and smartphones, has led to significant changes in our lifestyles.
We believe that in the future, ICT will evolve from technology that connects people with people-such as cell phones-into technology that connects equipment with equipment-such as sensors-and will generate innovative reform in lifestyle infrastructure such as electric power and gas supply, transportation systems, and medical and healthcare. ICT is a key form of technology that is prompting a shift from simply “crafting and manufacturing products” (monozukuri), to using such products as a basis for “creating new systems and services” (kotozukuri), thereby generating the fourth industrial revolution, or “Industry 4.0,” the fourth stage of industrial development following on from the stages brought about by steam engines, electricity, and computers respectively.
This course allows students to learn basic knowledge in communications as “systems that transmit information signals,” by drawing on the knowledge and expertise that they learn on the Electronics, Information and Communication Engineering Program-the fundamental knowledge that supports monozukuri, such as electromagnetics and electric circuiting, and the expertise that forms the basis of kotozukuri, such as programming. Along with the other courses of the program, this course ensures that students acquire knowledge and skills related to ICT, and develop into competent new engineers who connect monozukuri with kotozukuri.

Experimental devices for millimeter-wave radio transmission
Screen of experiment on communication methods using software-defined radio

Advanced research pursued
by the program

Optical metrology, optical nanodevice, and optical spectroscopy: Basic and applied research

Associate Professor
Yasuo Ohdaira

In the electronics, information and communication engineering program, we conduct advanced researches of optical metrology, optical nanodevice, and optical spectroscopy.
In the research of optical metrology, we develop advanced optical measurement technologies for analyzing microscopic structures in nanometer scale. A variety of imaging techniques by utilizing wavelength-tunable laser or broadband multifrequency light source has been developed. These technologies realize high-accuracy and non-invasive detection of objects which are hard to measure in the usual manner. Specifically, we have developed en-face optical coherence tomographic microscope and vibrometer for in vivo imaging of living biological tissues (see Figs. 1 and 2). These researches are conducted by the medicine-engineering collaboration in Niigata university.
In the research of optical nanodevice, we investigate localized light in nanometer scale, so-called near-field light, which exhibits properties completely different from light traveling in a vacuum. By applying the near-field light to atom-molecule manipulation and spectroscopic measurement in nanometer scale, optical microfabrication of soft matter and control of optical signal at micro level become possible, leading to next-generation optical communication and opto-electronic devices.
In the research of optical spectroscopy, we conduct a theoretical research toward the measurement and control of electronic states of matter. Photons are known as elementary particles of light, and by controlling them we can generate quantum light (entangled photons) completely different from laser light. The entangled photons are currently being intensively investigated and can be applied to various techniques, namely, the state-of-the-art devices for optical metrology and spectroscopy, such as two-photon excitation microscopy and quantum optical coherence tomography, efficient excitation of electronic states in matter, and coherent control of chemical reactions in biological systems.

Fig. 1. En-face Optical coherence microscope.
2. 3D volumetric images (sensory epithelium of living guinea pig's inner ear)

Electronics, Information and Communications Engineering Program

Electronics, Information and communication engineering plays a key role in the modern technological development. The Electronic, Information and Communication Engineering program promotes the following innovate research concerning information and communication technology, digital signal processing, electronic materials and devices, optoelectronics, and electrical energy.
・ Computer aided medical imaging
・ Wideband wireless communication systems
・ Precise optical measurement technology
・ Organic electronic devices
・ Nanophotonics
・ Advanced energy devices using high-temperature superconductors

Licenses and qualifications that can be acquired

  • Licenses
    First class upper secondary school teacher's license (industry)
  • Qualifications
    Technical Radio Operator for On-The-Ground Services (exemption from certain examination categories)
    On-The-Ground/Maritime Special Radio Operator (qualification)
    Chief electrical engineer (practical experience required)
    Associate professional engineer (JABEE accreditation),etc.