Invited Talks
Keren Bergman, Columbia University
Deeply Disaggregated Data Center Architectures with Embedded Photonics
Abstract: High-performance systems are critically challenged to meet the performance demands of applications particularly driven by the explosive growth in data analytics. Data movement, dominated by energy costs and limited ‘chip-escape’ bandwidth densities, is a key physical layer roadblock to these systems’ scalability. Integrated silicon photonics with deeply embedded optical connectivity is on the cusp of enabling revolutionary data movement and extreme performance capabilities. Beyond alleviating the bandwidth/energy bottlenecks, embedded photonics can enable new disaggregated architectures that leverage the distance independence of optical transmission. We will discuss how the envisioned disaggregated system architecture that can be flexibly composed and tailored for specific applications.
Masahiko Jinno, Kagawa University
Spatial Channel Networks Toward the SDM Era
Abstract: The spatial-channel network (SCN) technology toward the spatial-division-multiplexing (SDM) era is reviewed from the viewpoints of network and node architectures and novel optical switches for spatial channel cross-connects.
Juan Pedro Fernandez-Palacios, Telefónica I+D/Global CTIO
Towards an Open Networking Architecture
Abstract: Open Networking is a very relevant concept for the networking industry: Over-The-Top providers as well as Telco operators. There are two main concepts to enable such an open environment: Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and White-boxes. SDN solution enables operators to deploy different network elements with a common view of the hardware components. Regarding SDN, there are initiatives to define a standard interface to define, like OpenConfig and OpenROADM. Similarly, there is an important effort at the Open Networking Foundation (ONF) for the optical layer and IETF for the IP layer.On the other hand, White-boxes facilitates decoupling the bare-metal from the installed software in a network element; this is the so-called: Network Operating System (NOS). There are two main initiatives to work in white-boxes for telco networks: Open Compute Project (OCP) and Telecom Infra Project (TIP). TIP and OCP have worked on white-boxes for IP and optical networks. This article presents how networks can evolve to an open networking architecture following an evolutionary approach levering on SDN and white-box technologies.
Elaine Wong, The University of Melbourne
Alleviating the Master-Slave Distance Limitation in H2M Communications through Remote Environment Emulation
Abstract: In the past few years, we have seen communication networks evolve from predominantly supporting content-centric traffic under the Internet paradigm to increasingly serving machine-centric traffic under the Internet-of-Things (IoT) paradigm. We will soon experience the next evolutionary leap under a new paradigm known as the Tactile Internet (TI). Human-to-machine (H2M) communications is central to TI, empowering humans (masters) to immersively interact with remote environments through “feeling” and “controlling” real and virtual machines/robots (slaves). Predictably, traffic in a TI is dominated by control and haptic feedback data that have strict reliability and latency requirements on the communication network. Consequently, the strict latency requirement of H2M communication places a limit on the distance that can be deployed between the master and slaves domains. In this talk, we will explore some of the possible approaches in literature that are centered around remote environment emulation to alleviate the master-slave distance limitation and decouple this limitation from the perceived latency.
David Larrabeiti, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
Tradeoffs in optical packet and circuit transport of fronthaul traffic: the time for SBVT ?
Abstract: After over an 5-year period of intense research and standardisation effort in fronthaul traffic transport a number of conclusions can be drawn. We review the main design tradeoffs identified so far with especial focus on the ethernet case as standardised in IEEE802.1cm. As opposed to the worst-case delay design proposed by the standard, we analysed the use of very high packet delay percentiles for extreme cases where the link length needs to be extended as much as possible while meeting the target standard frame loss ratio. A discussion on the additional impact of the receiver buffer required to emulate the circuit and assemble the ODFM symbols reveals additional relevant latency costs and highlights the advantage of optical circuit-based schemes over the packet ones to achieve 5G URLLC (Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications) after many efforts toward packet switching transport. The opportunity of cost-effective SBVT (Sliceable Bandwidth Variable Transceivers), especially given the rates required for 5G new radio, to implement the circuit-based scheme, fitting the use of wavelengths to the current radio area network load is analysed.
Marco Ruffini, Trinity College Dublin
Evolutions of access network sharing: from physical unbundling to SDN-driven virtual Passive Optical Networks
Abstract: This paper will provide an overview of how sharing in access networks has evolved over the years, moving from the lease of physical assets, such as copper pairs in local loop unbundling to the latest full virtualisation of management, control and data planes. It will then discuss the importance of shared passive optical networks for supporting the upcoming 5G ecosystem, including support for cell densification, Cloud-RAN and eCPRI interfaces and connectivity of MEC-based converged fixed/mobile/cloud network.
Shanguo Huang, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications
Photonic Firewall Oriented Fast All-Optical Binary Pattern Recognition
Abstract: The security problem in optical networks is becoming more and more striking. Photonic firewall, which identifies a specific target pattern in the transmitted data through all-optical binary pattern recognition, can be applied to a variety of scenarios due to its high efficiency and low energy consumption. For photonic firewall, the all-optical binary pattern recognition is its core part. At present, the low optical processing rate is the bottleneck of photonic firewall. Based on this, we investigate the fast all-optical binary pattern recognition implemented by semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and high nonlinear fiber (HNLF). In the presentation, the basic principle of photonic firewall is first introduced. Two fast pattern recognition algorithms are developed. Then, the XNOR gate, AND gate, and regenerator implemented by SOA and HNLF are elaborated. Finally, simulation and experimental results are discussed. The results show that the HNLF based all-optical binary pattern recognition has high data processing capability.
Erik Agrell, Chalmers University of Technology
Iterative configuration in elastic optical networks
Abstract: A general dynamic resource allocation method is introduced, which iteratively reconfigures an elastic optical network according to the dynamic nature of traffic and service diversity. As an example, the proposed method is applied in an impairment-aware resource allocation scenario, and its performance is numerically evaluated.
Noboru Yoshikane, KDDI Research Inc.
Progress of Space-Division Multiplexing Optical Network Technologies
Abstract: Space-division multiplexing (SDM) technology is attracting attention as an upcoming technology for ultra-large capacity optical networks. This invited talk will offer an overview on the current research and development status of SDM technologies including demonstrations of SDM-based large capacity transmission and software-defined control for sliceable SDM optical networks. In addition, a gap analysis toward standardization of SDM technologies will be introduced.
Miquel Garrich, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena
Joint optimization of IT, IP and WDM layers: from theory to practice
Abstract: Softwarization of carrier networks is an unstoppable trend, driven by the possibility of instantiating Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) in carrier-owned data centers in their points-of-presence. In optical networks, VNF placement decisions are now intrinsically tight to IP and WDM resource allocations, e.g. in the metro, moving a VNF to a different central office changes the IP flows to carry, which then impacts the optical circuit footprint. In this paper, we review the efforts for a joint or cooperative optimization of the IT, IP and optical resources, both from the offline capacity planning and the online resource allocation points of view. The paper covers both theoretical results and practical implementation initiatives. Among them, we further elaborate on the Metro-Haul project approach, that proposes a common simulation framework for algorithm development and testing, which allows the application of those algorithms in demonstration prototypes.
Hideaki Furukawa, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
Petabit-class optical networks based on spatial-division multiplexing technologies
Abstract: We has developed and demonstrated the first large-scale optical switching testbed capable of handling 1 Pb/s optical signals.This is a major step toward the early implementation of petabit-class backbone optical networks.
Xiaoliang Chen, UC Davis
Towards Self-Driving Optical Networking with Reinforcement Learning and Knowledge Transferring
Abstract: In this paper, we exploit the state of the art in reinforcement learning and transfer learning to pursue a self-driving networking paradigm to realize highly resource-efficient, scalable and adaptive next-generation optical networks. The proposed design enables learning agents to constantly learn and optimize service provisioning policies through an observe-analyze-act cycle in online operations. Case studies on routing and spectrum assignment show significant advantages of the proposed design over traditional heuristic algorithms.
Josep Maria Fàbrega, Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya
Cost-effective Coherent systems for Metro networks
Abstract: Future network services are conceived around the joint use of different heterogeneous resources (including transport, fixed and mobile), while combining networking and cloud functions. In order to tackle such a huge challenge, dynamic data plane solutions are needed. In fact, transmission systems need to be agile, programmable, and capable of transmitting large amounts of data quickly. These transmission systems are expected to be cost/power-effective while covering actual metropolitan networks.
In this work, we will present transmission solutions using coherent detection combined with either direct or external modulation, with special focus on flexible, high capacity and cost-effective systems. The performance of the proposed technologies is evaluated by experiments and careful numerical modeling and simulations, considering the transmission impairments of the metropolitan network segment. Additionally, we will discuss programmability and flexibility trade-offs when interacting with the control plane.
Filippo Cugini, Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Telecomunicazioni
Designing disaggregated optical networks
Abstract: Disaggregation is driving the design of next generation metro/regional networks. This talk will present the different disaggregation flavors and will discuss the current maturity level and open issues, also highlighting future opportunity for disaggregation beyond current metro scenarios