The NEC Labs America team Yaowen Li, Andrea D’Amico, Yue-Kai Huang, Philip Ji, Giacomo Borraccini, Ming-Fang Huang, Ezra Ip, Ting Wang & Yue Tian (Not pictured: Fatih Yaman) has arrived in San Diego, CA for OFC24! Our team will be speaking and presenting throughout the event. Here is an overview of our participation.

OFC Team 2

Neural Networks for Optical Fiber Transmission: Hype or Hope? Workshop | March 24 1pm

Our Ming-Fang (Yvonne) Huang is an organizer, and Fatih Yaman is a speaker for the Neural Networks for Optical Fiber Transmission: Hype or Hope? Workshop at #OFC24 San Diego on Sunday, March 24 from 1-3pm. Despite the extensive research, practical applications of neural network-based machine learning in optical fiber communications remain elusive. This workshop would like to discuss a crucial question: Can NNs replicate their successes in this field as they have in natural language processing with ChatGPT? https://www.ofcconference.org/en-us/home/program-speakers/workshops/neural-networks-for-optical-fiber-transmission/

Neural Networks for Optical Fiber Transmission: Hype or Hope? Workshop

Modeling the Input Power Dependency of Transceiver BER-ONSR for QoT Estimation | March 25 8:45am

Modeling the Input Power Dependency of Transceiver BER-ONSR for QoT Estimation (M1H.4) will be presented on March 25 at 8:45am. We propose a method to estimate the input power dependency of the transceiver BER-OSNR characteristic. Experiments using commercial transceivers show that estimation error in Q-factor is less than 0.2 dB.Authors: Toru Mano, NTT; Yue-Kai Huang, NEC Labs America; Giacomo Borraccini, NEC Labs America; Ezra Ip, NEC Labs America; Andrea D’Amico, NEC Labs America; Zehao Wang, Duke University; Hideki Nishizawa, NTT; Gil Zussman, Columbia University; Tingjun Chen, Duke University; KOJI ASAHI, NEC; Daniel Kilper, Trinity College Dublin; Vittorio Curri, Politecnico di Torino; Koichi Takasugi, NTT. https://www.ofcconference.org/en-us/home/schedule/?day=Monday#m1h.4

Yue-Kai Huang NEC Labs America
Ezra Ip NEC Labs America

Giacomo Borraccini NEC Labs America
Andrea D’Amico

Multi-Span Optical Power Spectrum Prediction Using ML-Based EDFA Models and Cascaded Learning | Top Paper Award | March 25 9am

Huge congratulations to our intern Zehao Wang, Duke University and his colleagues for receiving the Top Paper Award for their paper, Multi-Span Optical Power Spectrum Prediction Using ML-Based EDFA Models and Cascaded Learning, at the #OFC24 Conference. They implemented a cascaded learning framework using component-level EDFA models for optical power spectrum prediction in multi-span networks, achieving a mean absolute error of 0.17dB across 6 spans and 12 EDFAs with only one-shot measurement. His colleagues include Yue-Kai Huang, NEC Laboratories America; Shaobo Han, NEC Laboratories America; Ting Wang, NEC Laboratories America, Daniel Kilper, CONNECT Centre & Tingjun Chen, Duke University. Zehao will present the paper on March 25 from 9:15 – 9:30am (M1H.6) https://www.ofcconference.org/en-us/home/schedule/?day=Monday#m1h.4

OFC Award Image

Inline Fiber Type Identification Using in-Service Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis | March 25 9am

Ezra Ip will present Inline Fiber Type Identification Using in-Service Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis (M1K.5) on March 25 at 9am. We proposed the use of BOTDA as a monitoring tool to identify fiber types present in deployed hybrid-span fiber cables, to assist in network planning, setting optimal launch powers, and selecting correct modulation formats. Authors: Ezra Ip, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; Yue-Kai Huang, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; Giacomo Borraccini, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; Toru Mano, NTT Network Innovation Labs; Tatsuya Matsushima, NTT Network Innovation Labs; Hideki Nishizawa, NTT Network Innovation Labs; Andrea D’Amico, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; Vittorio Curri, Politecnico di Torino; Daniel Kilper, Trinity College Dublin; Zehao Wang, Duke University; Gil Zussman, Columbia University; Tingjun Chen, Duke University; KOJI ASAHI, NEC Corporation. https://www.ofcconference.org/en-us/home/schedule/?day=Monday#m1k.5

Ezra Ip NEC Labs America

Optical Line Physical Parameters Calibration in Presence of EDFA Total Power Monitors | March 25 3:15pm

Giacomo Borraccini will present Optical Line Physical Parameters Calibration in Presence of EDFA Total Power Monitors, Session M3I.5 of the Transmission Optimization Section in Room 7 on Monday, March 25, from 3:15 to 3:30pm. A method is proposed in order to improve QoT-E by calibrating the physical model parameters of an optical link post-installation, using only total power monitors integrated into the EDFAs and an OSA at the receiver. Authors: Giacomo Borraccini, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; Yue-Kai Huang, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; Andrea D’Amico, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; Thomas Ferreira de Lima, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; Ezra Ip, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; Vittorio Curri, Politecnico di Torino; Ting Wang, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; KOJI ASAHI, NEC Corporation.

Optical Line Physical Parameters Calibration in Presence of EDFA Total Power Monitors

NEC Corporation, Verizon & OFS Demo | Booth 923-D | March 26 to 28

NEC Corporation, Verizon & OFS demo, Hybrid Fiber Cable for Future Optical Networks, at our NEC Labs America Booth 923-D at OFC24 from Tuesday, March 26 to Thursday, March 28. This demonstration will showcase the operation principles of a deployed novel hybrid #opticalfiber cable. This cable consists of ultra-low loss standard single-mode fiber, hollow-core fiber, multi-core fiber, and sensing-enhanced fiber. We will show that the cable is able to support high-capacity data transport, low latency time-sensitive services, and highly sensitive distributed fiber sensing functions simultaneously by assigning tasks to appropriate fiber in the cable. This demo exhibits how to design fiber cables and networks optimized for network operators’ services in the future. https://www.ofcconference.org/en-us/home/exhibition-and-show-floor-programs/ofcnet/ofcnet-demonstrations/

Booth Demo

Field Implementation of Fiber Cable Monitoring for Mesh Networks With Optimized Multi-Channel Sensor Placement | March 26 5pm

Philip Ji will present Field Implementation of Fiber Cable Monitoring for Mesh Networks With Optimized Multi-Channel Sensor Placement (Tu3J.3) on Tuesday, March 26 at 5pm. We developed a heuristic solution to effectively optimize the placement of multi-channel distributed fiber optic sensors in mesh optical fiber cable networks. The solution has been implemented in a field network to provide continuous monitoring. Authors: Philip Ji, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; Zilong Ye, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; Glenn Wellbrock, Verizon Corporation; Tiejun Xia, Verizon Corporation; Ming-Fang Huang, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; Yoshiaki Aono, NEC Corporation and Ting Wang, NEC Laboratories America Inc. https://www.ofcconference.org/en-us/home/schedule/?day=Tuesday#tu3j.3

Philip Ji NEC Labs America

Open APN for the Evolution of Mobile Networks and Cloud-and-Edge Computing | March 27 2pm

Philip N. Ji will present on the IOWN GF panel, Open APN for the Evolution of Mobile Networks and Cloud-and-Edge Computing on Wednesday, March 27, from 2-3 pm. IOWN Global Forum has been working to define Open All Photonics Networks (Open APN). This optical circuit-switched network can be used for the closer integration of optical transport and radio access or disaggregated computing systems. In this session, IOWN Global Forum’s technical leaders will present an overview of IOWN Global Forum’s Open APN. https://www.ofcconference.org/en-us/home/exhibition-and-show-floor-programs/show-floor-programs/iown-gfs-open-apn-for-the-evolution/

Open APN for the Evolution of Mobile Networks and Cloud-and-Edge Computing on the IOWN GF Panel

Embracing Fiber Sensing: What’s the Killer App for Large-Scale Deployments? | March 27 2pm

Ezra Ip will give the opening introduction for Embracing Fiber Sensing: What’s the “Killer App” for Large-Scale Deployments? in Room 6C at OFC24 on Wednesday, March 27, 2:00 – 6:30pm

Organizers
Ezra Ip, NEC Labs America, USA
Sander Jansen, Adtran, USA
Jeremie Renaudier, Nokia Bell Labs, France

Speakers
Session I
Jeremie Renaudier, Ezra Ip and Sander Jansen (Organizers)
Fiber Sensing for the Telecommunication Industry in a Nutshell

Paul Dickinson; FOSA/Duraline, USA
Existing and Emerging Market Opportunities for Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing

Andrew Lord; BT, UK
How Can Sensing on Telecoms Fibres Bring Revenues to Operators?

Yoshifumi Wakisaka; NTT, Japan
Environmental Monitoring Using Widely Deployed Telecommunication Optical Fiber Cables and Distributed Acoustic Sensing

Session II
Glenn Wellbrock, Verizon, USA
The “Killer App” is that the Fiber Already Exists!

Fatih Yaman; NEC Laboratories America Inc., USA
Fiber Sensing Use Cases and Applications for an Electric Utility

Kang-Kuen Lee, Hong Kong Polytechnik University, Hong Kong
Progression from Discrete Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors to Distributed Optical Fibre Sensing in the Railway Industry

Paul Westbrook; OFS, USA
Monitoring and Sensing Applications Enabled by Enhanced Scattering Fibers in Future Telecom Networks

Embracing Fiber Sensing What’s the “Killer App” for Large-Scale Deployments

Abstract: Fiber sensing technology has revolutionized the capabilities of telecommunication networks around the world. With coherent detection technology, there are a variety of potential applications for fiber sensing, from enhancing network efficiency to detecting anomalies in real time. Despite the vast potential benefits, few providers have fully embraced this technology on a large scale, prompting the question of what could be “killer apps” for fiber sensing to be implemented first. This symposium will address this question by examining real-world applications of fiber sensing in global telecom networks, including best practices for field deployment, large-scale implementation considerations, and the use of AI, ML, and digital twin technologies for processing sensing data. The symposium will also explore the potential returns on investment and revenue generation associated with fiber sensing adoption, providing attendees with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about this cutting-edge technology. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of the current state of fiber sensing technology and its potential for successful implementation in global telecom networks.

Session: https://www.ofcconference.org/en-us/home/program-speakers/symposia/embracing-fiber-sensing-what%E2%80%99s-the-killer-app%E2%80%9D-for/

OFCnet: Optical Infrastructures and Services Panel | March 28 11:45am

Philip N. Ji will present on the OFCnet: Optical Infrastructures and Services panel on Thursday, March 28 from 11:45-12:15 pm. This panel presents advancements in optical communication technology by FABRIC, Open ROADM consortium, and NEC & Verizon. Further demonstrating the versatility of software-defined infrastructures, Ciena and FABRIC have partnered to develop a mobile, software-defined FABRIC node, the tfNode. https://www.ofcconference.org/en-us/home/exhibition-and-show-floor-programs/show-floor-programs/ofcnet-optical-infrastructures-and-services/

OFCnet Optical Infrastructures and Services Panel

Optical Network Anomaly Detection and Localization Based on Forward Transmission Sensing and Route Optimization | March 28 4:30pm

Philip Ji will present Optical Network Anomaly Detection and Localization Based on Forward Transmission Sensing and Route Optimization (Th3I.3) on March 28 at 4:30pm. We introduce a novel scheme to detect and localize optical network anomaly using forward transmission sensing, and develop a heuristic algorithm to optimize the route selection. The performance is verified via simulations and network experiments. Authors: Philip Ji, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; Zilong Ye, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; Yue-Kai Huang, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; Thomas Ferreira de Lima, NEC Laboratories America Inc.; Yoshiaki Aono, NEC Corporation; KOJI ASAHI, NEC Corporation; Ting Wang, NEC Laboratories America Inc. https://www.ofcconference.org/en-us/home/schedule/?day=Thursday#th3i.3

Philip Ji NEC Labs America

4D Optical Link Tomography: First Field Demonstration of Autonomous Transponder Capable of Distance, Time, Frequency, and Polarization Resolved Monitoring | March 28 6pm

4D Optical Link Tomography: First Field Demonstration of Autonomous Transponder Capable of Distance, Time, Frequency, and Polarization Resolved Monitoring (Th4B.7) will be presented on March 28 at 6pm. We report the first field demonstration of 4D link tomography using a commercial transponder, which offers distance, time, frequency, and polarization-resolved monitoring. This scheme enables autonomous transponders that identify locations of multiple QoT degradation causes. Authors: Takeo Sasai, NTT Corporation; Giacomo Borraccini, NEC Laboratories America; Yue-Kai Huang, NEC Laboratories America; Hideki Nishizawa, NTT Corporation; Zehao Wang, Duke University; Tingjun Chen, Duke University; Yoshiaki Sone, NTT Corporation; Tatsuya Matsushima, NTT Corporation; Masanori Nakamura, NTT Corporation; Etsushi Yamazaki, NTT Corporation; Yoshiaki Kisaka, NTT Corporation. https://www.ofcconference.org/en-us/home/schedule/?day=Thursday#th4b.7

Giacomo Borraccini NEC Labs America

Yue-Kai Huang NEC Labs America