The FutuRe Optical NeTworking (FRONT) Workshop took place on November 9, 2024, in Rome, Italy. This groundbreaking event brought together leading experts in optical networking to discuss cutting-edge technologies and architectural advancements that are shaping the next generation of fixed networks.
About the Workshop
The FRONT Workshop aimed to explore technologies driving progress toward future generations of optical networks. Its objective was to foster innovation in fixed network technology, enabling extensive Fiber-To-The-Everywhere/Everything (FTTE) networks that support new service categories and reach broader markets and end users.
In a post-pandemic era, the workshop successfully revived academic dialogue in a casual setting, facilitating free discussions about future communications technologies and reconnecting peers in an Academic Salon atmosphere.
Topics
The workshop covered a wide range of cutting-edge topics in optical networking, including:
Optical Communication Systems and Networks for AI Clusters and Data Centers
- Optical Interconnects for AI Clusters
- Power consumption of AI clusters
- Low-cost/complexity transceivers
- Novel optical nodes
- Optical computing
- AI photonic neural networks
Optical Communication Systems and Networks for X-haul and Next Generation FTTx
- Optical wireless communications/Li-Fi for FTTR applications
- Integration of Optical and Wireless Networks
- Digital twin of x-haul optical networks
- X-Haul and mobile edge cloud optical networks
- Network-wide modeling and optimization methods
- Next-generation PONs for FTTx
Program
The workshop was structured around two main panels:
- Optical Communication Systems and Networks for AI Clusters and Data Centers
- Optical Communication Systems and Networks for X-haul and Next Generation FTTx
Each panel featured keynote speeches from international experts traveling from overseas, invited talks by speakers based in Europe, and interactive discussions.
Panel 1: Optical Communication systems and networks for AI clusters and Data centers
| Time | Session | Speaker(s) |
| 9:00-9:30 | Keynote Speech – Optics for AI Clusters & Computing | Keren Bergman (Columbia University) |
| 9:30-10:00 | Keynote Speech – Optical Interconnects for Data Centers | Ben Yoo (University of California) |
| 10:00-10:45 | Invited Talks – 3 talks (15 minutes each) | – Hideki Nishizawa (NTT) – Nick Parsons (HUBER+SUHNER) – Katharine Schmidtke (Eribel Systems) |
| 10:45-11:15 | Break | |
| 11:15-12:15 | Invited Talks – 4 talks (15 minutes each) | – Paraskevas Bakopoulos (NVIDIA) – Dan Marom (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) – Chris Roeloffzen (LioniX International) – Liam Barry (Dublin City University) |
| 12:15-13:15 | Panel discussions | Chairs: – Ioannis Tomkos (University of Patras) |
| 13:15-14:15 | Lunch Break |
Panel 2: Optical Communication systems and networks for x-haul and next generation FTTx
| Time | Session | Speaker(s) |
| 14:15-14:45 | Keynote Speech – Optical x-haul for 6G | Elaine Wong (University of Melbourne) |
| 14:45-15:15 | Keynote Speech – Optical Signal Processing for Energy Efficient Next Generation Transceivers | David Plant (McGill University) |
| 15:15-15:45 | Invited Talks – 2 talks (15 minutes each) | – Antonio Texeira (University of Aveiro) – Ernesto Ciaramella (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna) |
| 15:45-16:15 | Break | |
| 16:15-17:15 | Invited Talks – 4 talks (15 minutes each) | – Jochen Maes (Nokia Bell Labs) – Ivan Cano (Huawei Technologies) – Massimo Tornatore (Politecnico di Milano) – Francesco Matera (Fondazione Ugo Bordoni) |
| 17:15-18:15 | Panel discussions – Roadmap creation for short reach applications | Chairs: – Ioannis Tomkos (University of Patras) – Raul Munoz (Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya) |
| 18:15-18:45 | Closing Remarks | – Ioannis Tomkos (University of Patras) – Josep Prat (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) |
Key Discussions
The workshop featured panel discussions on crucial topics:
Panel 1: Challenges in Comb Lasers for AI Clusters and Data Centers
- Scalability and efficiency of comb lasers
- Manufacturing and material challenges
- Performance trade-offs between wavelengths, data rates, and energy consumption
- Complexity and adoption issues in large networks
- Emerging technology platforms like InP and SiN for laser creation
Panel 2: Photonics and Coherent Technologies in PON and X-haul
- Cost considerations for coherent technology deployment
- Advancements in Passive Optical Networks (PON)
- Digital twins in network management
- Technical considerations like MLSE, modulation formats, and hollow-core fibers
- Energy and resource challenges in scaling optical networks
Technological Advancements
The workshop highlighted significant technological developments:
- Optical frequency combs for data center interconnects
- Advancements in Very High Speed PON (VHSP)
- Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) for next-generation access networks
- Innovations in optical signal processing for energy-efficient transceivers
- Progress in Free Space Optics (FSO) for terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks
Keynote Speakers
The workshop showcased distinguished keynote speakers who provided global perspectives on advancements in optical networking:
- Elaine Wong (University of Melbourne): Expert in tactile haptic human-to-machine communications over optical and wireless networks.
- David Plant (McGill University): Renowned for his research in broadband communications.
- Keren Bergman (Columbia University): Specialized in ultrafast optical signal processing and optical networking for high-performance computing.
- Ben Yoo (University of California, Davis): Focused on photonic-electronic integration, energy-efficient computing, and elastic optical networking.
Invited Speakers
A lineup of esteemed invited speakers based in Europe also contributed valuable insights on relevant technology developments:
- Chris Roeloffzen (LioniX International)
- Antonio Teixeira (University of Aveiro)
- Dan Marom (Hebrew University)
- Paraskevas Bakopoulos (NVIDIA)
- Ernesto Ciaramella (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna)
- Ivan Cano (Huawei Technologies)
- Massimo Tornatore (Politecnico di Milano)
- Jochen Maes (Nokia Bell Labs)
- Francesco Matera (Fondazione Ugo Bordoni)
- Katharine Schmidtke (Eribel Systems)
- Nick Parsons (HUBER+SUHNER)
- Giorgio Maria Tosi Beleffi (Ministry of Economic Development)
- Liam Barry (Dublin City University)
- Hideki Nishizawa (NTT Laboratories)
Venue
The FRONT Workshop was held at the prestigious Hotel Quirinale, a four-star establishment in the heart of Rome, Italy. The hotel provided modern amenities within a 19th-century building, offering easy access to iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum, Piazza della Repubblica, and the Trevi Fountain.
Workshop sessions were hosted in well-equipped meeting rooms featuring full air conditioning, free WiFi, projection screens, sound systems, and flip charts, ensuring an optimal environment for presentations, discussions, and networking.
Conclusion
The FRONT Workshop successfully created a platform for engaging dialogues among industry leaders, academics, and researchers. It fostered collaboration on innovative solutions that will shape the future of optical networks globally. It provided insights into the future of optical networks:
- Potential of 200G-PON by 2030
- Integration of AI and machine learning in network optimization
- Evolution towards all-photonic networks
- Advancements in optical wireless communications (OWC) for 6G and beyond
- Emerging role of quantum technologies in optical communications