Optical networks play a crucial role in the global communication infrastructure. Our increasingly connected society relies heavily on network services, leading to continuous growth of network traffic and making network performance more critical than ever.
Optical Networks
Optical networks play a crucial role in the global communication infrastructure. Our increasingly connected society relies heavily on network services, leading to continuous growth of network traffic and making network performance more critical than ever. Photonic transmission technologies provide ultra-high capacity, low loss, low latency, and low energy consumption per bit. This makes them the best option for transport networks supporting future generations of mobile and fixed communication network infrastructures.
To achieve the goal of providing ubiquitous connectivity to end-users with high capacity, low latency, and high reliability, researchers face numerous challenges at different layers of the network stack. These challenges must be addressed in a way that meets the stringent performance requirements for capacity, latency, reliability, and security and ensures the sustainability of the developed solutions.
The work carried out at the Optical Network Unit tackles the challenges related to next-generation communication networks through cutting-edge research and teaching.
Research directions
Our competencies include design and operation methods for optical communication infrastructures. Particular attention is paid to cost, energy efficiency, resource optimization, resiliency, security, and techno-economics. Our primary research areas are:
Design and operation of optical communication infrastructures:
- Artificial intelligence for network control and management
- Network automation and programmability
- Optimal network design strategies
- Techno-economic analyses
Optical network security
- Defense against attacks targeting service disruption and eavesdropping
- Machine learning techniques for attack prevention, detection, and recovery
Quantum Internet
- Quantum technologies for securing critical infrastructures
- Optical infrastructure for distributed quantum computing
Education programs
Having a solid understanding of designing and operating communication infrastructures is crucial for any telecommunication expert, whether they are a beginner or an advanced learner. At Chalmers, the Optical Network Unit plays an important role in training the next generation of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students. Our mission is to provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in a dynamic and competitive job market.
