[보안뉴스 박미영 기자] The research results of the researchers who built an information and communication technology (ICT) powerhouse have finally seen the light of day.
[사진=ETRI]
On the 23rd, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced that 68 of the world’s best research achievements achieved by researchers over the past 48 years will be exhibited and made available to the public on the second floor of the institute’s main building.
The major achievements revealed by the research institute were divided into chronological order and displayed in five major research areas, including semiconductors, communications, broadcasting media, computers, and ICT convergence.
It contains the challenging spirit and indomitable will of the researchers who wrote the world’s best and first ICT history. ETRI sowed the seeds of communications and electronics in barren soil in 1976. Despite numerous trials and adversities, the research team has led the development of Korea’s ICT by leading the development of core information and communication technologies. The cumulative amount of technology fees earned by the researchers is 1.1674 trillion won.
In particular, among the exhibits unveiled on this day, the technologies of TDX, semiconductor (DRAM), digital mobile communication system (CDMA), and mobile Internet (WiBro) were among the 70 representative achievements selected by the government in 2015 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of liberation. It is a national treasure-level technology of the Republic of Korea.
First, the semiconductor sector, along with the development of display technology, is called Korea’s ‘rice of industry’ and is the field that created the myth of Korea as a technological powerhouse. By preemptively developing material/component technologies, it has increased national competitiveness and emerged as the best major export product, contributing greatly to national development.
The research team developed the world’s first 64M DRAM, including the development of 4M DRAM in 1989, putting Korea in the ranks of the world’s No. 1 semiconductor exporters. In addition, in 2009, the world’s first organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and transparent organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) panels were developed, leading Korea to become a display powerhouse. Currently, efforts are being made to widen the gap between semiconductor superpowers by developing next-generation micro LED displays and intelligent semiconductor technologies.
The telecommunications sector is the world’s strongest in name and reality. Starting with the development of ‘TDX’, which opened the era of ‘one phone per household’ in 1986, Korea developed ‘CDMA technology, which laid the foundation for becoming an advanced country in mobile communications’ in 1995, making Korea a mobile communications powerhouse.
Afterwards, the country developed WiBro, the first mobile Internet technology, in 2004, solidifying its position as a mobile communications powerhouse. Afterwards, we succeeded in developing 3G and 4G technology for the first time in the world through LTE technology, and wrote a success story that continues to 5G. The research team is now taking on a new challenge and playing a key role in the development of 6G mobile communications, fulfilling its role and responsibility as the strongest nation in mobile communications.
In the broadcasting media sector, researchers have developed world-class broadcasting media technology and led domestic and international standardization. Starting with the development of terrestrial digital TV in 1998, the company developed the world’s first digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) in 2006, which opened the era of TV in the palm of your hand, making it possible to watch TV on the go. In addition, in 2016, transmission technology and compression technology, which are the core technologies of ultra-high definition (UHD) TV, were developed and made into international standardization (ATSC), opening up the era of UHDTV that people around the world can watch together.
In the computer sector, ETRI is changing the world with its remarkable role. ETRI succeeded in establishing the world’s second Internet connection in 1982, and developed Korea’s first 8-bit educational computer in 1983, followed by the development of 16-bit and 32-bit UNIX computers. In 1991, Korea laid the foundation for e-government through the development of TiCOM, the main computer for administrative computer networks. Since then, we have strived for technological independence and industrial development through computer, software, and technology development. Recently, the world has been surprised by the development of artificial intelligence technologies such as automatic interpretation and translation technology.
Lastly, in the field of ICT convergence technology, ETRI has worked to maximize the value of new industries by applying ICT technology to various technological fields such as automobiles, shipbuilding, national defense, and energy. In particular, he has contributed greatly to the convergence and development of academic disciplines through convergence research that solves national agendas such as the Internet of Things (IoT), intelligent robotics, bio/medical, postal logistics, and energy, safety, and defense. Representative technologies include the development of ship network (SAN) technology, unmanned identification (RFID) and intelligent robot technology in 2010, and unmanned valet parking technology in 2013.
The institute engraves the names of major achievements and researchers who brought glory to ETRI in the central hall of the history building, preserves them as nameplates, and serves as a role model for junior researchers. In the past, automatic long-distance dialing (DDD), card-type public phones, and video phones were also on display, demonstrating ETRI’s reputation for leading the way as a communications powerhouse.
In addition, the Tashu bicycle, the pride of Daejeon, is equipped with the research team’s RFID technology, and it is also used in highway toll gate charging technology, ‘PengTalk’ for English education for elementary school students, computer graphics (CG) technology for the movie ‘Roaring Currents’, and video compression technology, MPEG. The technical soul of the research team is alive and well.
The late former Minister of Post and Telecommunications Choi Soon-dal, who launched Korea’s first artificial satellite, and the late Dr. An Byeong-seong, a leading figure in the development of TDX, were selected as persons of merit in science and technology, and the late Minister Choi Soon-dal was enshrined in the National Social Contributor Cemetery at the Daejeon National Cemetery. buried.
ETRI Director Bang Seung-chan said, “The institute’s history center created this time is not simply a place where past research results are collected, but a place where Korea’s ICT history breathes. “It is very meaningful to show customers how our country has become a powerhouse in ICT,” he said.
ETRI’s purpose is to show the history and future of ICT together by allowing the general public to view the history museum along with the information and communication exhibition hall. In addition, ETRI is working to build Korea’s ICT exhibition center in name and reality by exhibiting these technologies at the newly built Majungmul Plaza in 2026.
[박미영 기자([email protected])]
