EPSRC-SFI:Energy Efficient M Communication using Combs (EEMC)

The remarkable success of the internet is unquestioned, touching all aspects of our daily lives and commerce. This success is fundamentally underpinned by the tremendous capacity of unseen underground and undersea optical fibre cables and the technologies associated with them. Indeed, the initial surge in web usage in the mid-1990s coincides with the commissioning of the first optically amplified transatlantic cable network, TAT12/13 allowing ready access to information otherwise inaccessible. In parallel with the consistent exponential increase (quadrupling every 4 years) in broadband access rates, optical transceivers used in the core of the communications network have typically grown in bandwidth at the same rate, excepting a small and temporary downturn associated with the introduction of coherent technologies. Today, just as broadband demands begin to outstrip the capabilities of the incumbent technology (twisted pair copper cables) requiring new technology (optical fibre) to be deployed, bandwidth demands in the core network are exceeding the capabilities of single carrier modulation.
In this project we will develop low cost all optical techniques to continue to expand the bandwidth of the transceivers which power the internet. Our all optical solution has the potential to be compact, suiting applications both within data centres operated by the likes of Google, Facebook and Microsoft and within the core international networks. The solution will address important challenges at such high bandwidths, such as synchronisation, noise and digital signal processing. If successful EEMC2 will deliver a transponder with more than an order of magnitude more capacity than those commercially available, equivalent of a Gb broadband connection rather than 70 Mb.

The primary societal impact of EEMC2 will be to enhance the bandwidth of the internet, required to support the roll out of full-fibre based broadband solutions and will consequently have significant economic impact. By working with the UK and Irish industry, solutions developed in EEMC2 will support the development of high bit rate services which enable outstanding service delivery of, for example, low latency high definition video conferencing for domestic use and low latency transoceanic transmission for financial trading. By allowing for the development of a core network of sufficient capacity, EEMC2 will enable the increased effectiveness of initiatives, such as e-medicine and e-public services and will so contribute to the quality of life. Similarly, by preventing an exponential growth in network energy consumption, EEMC2 will contribute to environmental sustainability.
Scientifically, EEMC2 proposes to extend previous collaboration between the communications activities of two of the leading centres of excellence in photonics with the ambition of significantly enhancing their existing influence through increased scope of research and critical mass. Specifically EEMC2 will:

1. Maintain a high quality core science programme in collaboration with UK partners within the network equipment and operator communities. Together Ellis and Barry have published over 700 peer reviewed conference and journal papers and both collaborate widely in Europe, partnering in 10 EU Framework 6/7 and Horizon 2020 projects since 2006. In addition to UK collaborations, EEMC2 intends to continue to play a leading role in major European programmes with companies such as BT, Eblana Photonics, Kiaim, Pilot Photonics, Teropta and Oclaro.

2. Create industry-relevant technologies and products. This will involve the generation of valuable IP (targeting 2 patent applications, one know how transfer, or one spin out company per year). This process will be managed by DCU, with whose cooperation the applicants have already launched a start-up company, Pilot Photonics, and with support from the Aston Business Partnership Unit.

3. Communicate regularly with local photonics industry, ensuring the industrial relevance of the research and providing direct exploitation routes benefiting the UK economy. In addition to working with the major multi-national companies, the project will support the growth of existing SMEs by helping to develop innovative new products, enabling access to new sources of research funding, and providing training. EEMC2 will also support the creation of new ventures and the project will recruit and train highly-skilled people to the direct benefit of UK and RoI industry.

4. Fostering public awareness through education and outreach programmes, encouraging all PhD students to participate in Aston Universities and DCU's outreach programmes, and participating personally in appropriate events with a wider public audience. Press-releases to non-specialist journals and professional magazines will also be used to publicize breakthroughs of particular importance to the wider public.

5. We anticipate that a successful execution of this proposal will lead to significant international interest in associated technologies. We will welcome the participation of other international research groups in advancing the knowledge base and increasing the likelihood of adoption of our own work. To foster this interaction, at appropriate times and in collaboration with other EPSRC and SFI funded programmes, we will organise international workshops to facilitate direct scientific exchange and future collaborations.

Thus the overall program of research enabled by this project is expected to have wide ranging benefits to the scientific community (development of a new approach to communication system design) the communications industry (simultaneous increase in available capacity and reduction in energy consumption) and wider society.