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Optical Communications & Computing
Andrea D’Amico is a Researcher in the Optical Communications & Computing Department at NEC Laboratories America. He holds a Ph.D. in Telecommunications Engineering from Politecnico di Torino, where his research focused on quality of transmission estimation, nonlinear fiber modeling, and the application of machine learning to open optical networks. He also earned a Master’s degree in Theoretical Physics and a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the Università di Pisa.
At NEC, Andrea conducts advanced research for the integration of physical-layer modeling and system-level intelligence to support the evolution of large-scale optical networks. His work focuses on abstracting complex signal behaviors into models that inform automation, optimization, and control across diverse deployment scenarios. By aligning physical accuracy with network adaptability, he contributes to the development of flexible and high-capacity infrastructures capable of meeting the demands of next-generation connectivity.
We derive the exact probability density function of the signal to noise ratio (SNR) impairment caused by polarization dependent loss (PDL) in coherent optical systems. Using thehinge model for PDL statistics, we construct a sequence of variable transformations that yields the expression of the SNR probability
We develop closed-form formulas for PDL-induced SNR margins using solutions based on central limit theorem. Experimental validations confirm accurate and conservative performancepredictions, enabling precise quality of transmission assessment and margin-aware design in optical networks.
Accurately modeling optical signal transmission is critical foroptimizing network performance, particularly in large-scalefiber optic networks operated by Internet Service Providers.In this work, we develop a Gaussian Noise model for a NewYork state ISPs optical backbone. Our model accounts for allmajor
The evolution toward open and partially disaggregated optical networks has introduced new, to our knowledge,requirements on how transmission performance is evaluated and compared across technologies, vendors, and deployment scenarios. In this context, sound benchmarking practices are essential to ensure
We demonstrate agnostic QoT probing for datacenter exchange in a metro network via receiver-side ASE loading. Knowing BER telemetry and the progressive ASEload, the device estimates GSNR, enabling IPoWDM operations and digital-twin calibration.
NEC Laboratories America’s Optical Networking & Sensing team will participate in OFC 2026 in Los Angeles, March 15–19, contributing to panels, workshops, and courses focused on optical sensing, multicore fibers, and next-generation high-capacity optical communication systems.
Our Giovanni Milione will present Mobile Orbital Domains: Addressing Dynamic Topology Challenges in Satellite Networks (JW4A.47) in Joint Poster Session III at the Frontiers in Optics + Laser Science (FiO LS) conference in Denver, CO, on October 29, 2025, 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. We analyze satellite trajectories
Join our Andrea D’Amico as he presents Open and Disaggregated Optical Networks: From Vision to Reality (FW6E.1) at part of the Next-Generation Optical Fiber Transmission Systems and Networks Session at the Frontiers in Optics + Laser Science (FiO LS) conference in Denver, CO, on October 29, 2025,
We experimentally investigated variable spectral loading in an OMS, identifying performance under best and worst transmission conditions. Metrics and data visualization allowed correlation between channel configurations and OSNR variations, enabling the derivation of a simple spectrum allocation rule.
GNPy advancements enable accurate and efficient modeling of multiband optical networks for digital twin applications. The developed solvers for Kerr nonlinearity and SRS have been validated through simulation and experimentally in C+L transmission, supporting real-world network planning, design, and
NEC Laboratories America (NECLA) was proud to join the European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC 2025) in Copenhagen, Denmark, from September 28 to October 2. Our researchers presented cutting-edge work in distributed acoustic sensing, AI-driven fiber optics, and optical networking. From generative
Optical transmission networks require intelligent traffic adaptation and efficient spectrum usage. We present scalable machine learning (ML) methods for network performance modeling, andfield trials of distributed fiber sensing and classic optical network traffic coexistence.
This paper outlines QoT-driven optimization strategies in coherent fiber-optic WDM networks, addressing distinct transmission scenarios, QoT metrics, control-plane methodologies, and emerging trends to enhance network reliability, flexibility and capacity.
We present a simple and accurate semi-analytical model predicting the gain of a single-stage erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) embedded with an unknown gain flattening filter (GFF). Characteristic wavelength-dependent gain coefficients and their scaling laws are extracted with a limited set of simple
Subsea cables include a supervisory system that monitors the health of the amplifier pumps and fiber loss on per span basis. In some of the cables, the monitoring is achieved optically and passively using high-loss loop back paths and wavelength selective reflectors. By sending monitoring pulses through
We propose a novel Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing (DFOS) placement strategy tailored to the evolving needs of modern power grids, where fiber cables serve dual purposes: communication and real-time sensing. Our approach integrates a heuristic algorithm, PURE (Power Source-aware Route Exploration), with
We experimentally demonstrate real time mode division multiplexing free space optical communication with commercial 400G open and disaggregated transponders. As proof of concept,using HG00, HG10, and HG01 modes, we transmit 1.2 Tb/s/l (3´1l´400Gb/s) error free.
A simple and accurate semi-analytical model for predicting the gain of a single-stage erbium-doped fiber amplifier embedded with an unknown gain flattening filter is proposed for precise system equalization that is crucial for submarine systems.
We experimentally justify the need of analyzing stochastic PDL insertion inboptical metro network nodes. Consequently, we assess conservative OSNR margin comparingdifferent approaches to the case with maxwellian-distributed PDL, through Monte Carlo simulation.
We propose building a spectrally resolved QoT Digital Twin for optical network domains where models and telemetry are unavailable, by probing transmission on a singlespectral slot, using GNPy, and demonstrating accurate experimental results.
A differential algorithm is proposed to calibrate the physical digital model of an optical line system from scratch at the commissioning phase, using minimal measurements and maximizing signal and OSNR estimation accuracy.
We implement a cascaded learning framework leveraging three different EDFA and fiber component models for OSNR and GSNR prediction, achieving MAEs of 0.20 and 0.14 dBover a 5-span network under dynamic channel loading.
We combine few-shot learning and grey-box modeling for EDFAs in optical lines, training a single EDFA model on 500 spectral loads and transferring it to other EDFAs using 4-8 samples, maintaining low OSNR prediction error.
We demonstrate the use of existing terrestrial optical networks as a smart sensing grid, employing a bidirectional long short-term memory (Bi-LSTM) model enhanced with an attention mechanism to detect road vehicles. The main idea of our approach is to deploy a fast, accurate and reliable trained deep
The NEC Labs America Optical Networking and Sensing team is attending the 2025 Optical Fiber Communications Conference and Exhibition (OFC), the premier global event for optical networking and communications. Bringing together over 13,500 attendees from 83+ countries, more than 670 exhibitors, and hundreds
In this work, for the first time, we experimentally demonstrate mode division multiplexing-based bidirectional free space optical communication in real-time using commercial transponders. As proof of concept, via bidirectional pairs of Hermite-Gaussian modes (HG00, HG10, and HG01), using a Telecom Infra
We report the first field verification of fault localization in an optical line system (OLS) by integrating digital longitudinal monitoring and OLS calibration, highlighting changes in physical metrics and parameters. Use cases shown are degradation of a fiber span loss and optical amplifier noise figure.
In Optical Multiplex Section (OMS) control and optimization framework, end-to-end (Global) and span-by-span (Local) DNN gray-box strategies are compared in terms of scalability and accuracy of the output signal and noise power predictions. Experimental measurements are carried out in OMSs with increasing
The noise figure ripple of a dual-stage EDFA is studied starting from experimental measurements under full spectral load conditions and defining device characteristics. Asemi-analytical model is then proposed showing 0.1 dB standard deviation on the error distribution in all cases of operation.
We propose extending the LOGO strategy for launch power settings to multi-band scenarios, maintaining low complexity while addressing key inter-band nonlinear effects and accurate amplifier models. This methodology simplifies multi-band optical multiplex section control, providing an immediate, descriptive
We demonstrate a method for measuring the backscatter coefficient of hollow-core fibre (HCF), and show the feasibility of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) with simultaneous 9.6-Tb/s DWDM transmission over a 1.6-km field-deployed HCF cable.
Experiments show that machine learning model of an EDFA is capable of modelling spectral hole burning effects accurately. As a result, it significantly outperforms black-box models that neglect inhomogeneous effects. Model achieves a record average RMSE of 0.0165 dB between the model predictions and
We propose a transceiver back-to-back BER-OSNR characterization method that requires only a single VOA; it leverages the receiver SNR degradation caused by received power attenuation. Experiments using commercial transceivers show that the measurement error is less than 0.2 dB in the Q-factor.
Our optical networking & sending team has arrived in Frankfurt for the 2024 European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC) and is excited to present many papers and tutorials this week. Please follow this page and on our social media channels for updates.
We propose methods and an architecture to conduct measurements and optimize newly installed optical fiber line systems semi-automatically using integrated physics-aware technologies in a data center interconnection (DCI) transmission scenario. We demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, digital
A control architecture for a partially disaggregated optical network is proposed using a GNPy-based digital twin for QoT estimation. The proposed implementation enables soft failure mitigation by autonomously adjusting the amplifier working points.
The GNPy quality-of-transmission estimator has undergone improvements and rigorous experimental validation in a C+L multiband transmission scenario. This includes the incorporation of a disaggregated generalized Gaussian noise model, along with advanced modeling of amplifiers and transceivers. The recently
We propose a deep learning algorithm trained on varied spectral loads and EDFA working points to generate a digital twin of an optical line system able to optimize line control and to enhance OSNR predictions.
The ever-increasing demand for data traffic in recent decades has pushed network operators to give importance to the aspect of infrastructure control to facilitate its scalability and maximize its capacity. A generic lightpath (LP) is deployed starting from a traffic request between a given pair of nodes
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. Read more for an overview
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.
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.
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.
There are increasing requirements for data center interconnection (DCI) services, which use fiber to connect any DC distributed in a metro area and quickly establish high-capacity optical paths between cloud services and mobile edge computing and the users. In such networks, coherent transceivers with
We demonstrated under six minutes automatic provisioning of optical paths over field- deployed alien access links and WDM carrier links using commercial-grade ROADMs, whitebox mux-ponders, and multi-vendor transceivers. With channel probing, transfer learning, and Gaussian noise model, we achieved an
