Ultimate Passive Optical Network (UPON)

As recently discussed by the Wall Street Journal, the remarkable success of the internet may be attributed to the tremendous capacity of unseen underground and undersea optical cables and the associated technologies. Indeed, the initial surge in web usage in the mid-1990s coincides with the first optically amplified transatlantic cable network allowing ready access to information otherwise inaccessible. Tremendous progress has been made since then, and since the introduction of the single mode optical fibre network by BT in 1983 all developments have exploited the same physical infrastructure, enabling return on investment over three decades in time and almost five orders of magnitude in capacity. However, of equal importance have been the "last mile" actually connecting customers to the network. Whilst growth in the last century was supported by the existing copper infrastructure, todays networks are more technologically fractured, split between (in order of capacity, ranging from a few kbit/s to a few Gbit.s) this legacy network, satellite distribution (plagued by poor latency), wireless networks, hybrid fibre/copper (eg BT Infinity), coaxial networks (cable TV), passive optical networks and point to point optical networks. Each of these solutions offer unique features suited to today's market, enabling competition between network operators (eg BT, Virgin, EE) as well as service providers. However, with the exception of fibre based solutions the potential for further capacity growth is limited. As demand for communication services applications continue to grow in number (e.g. Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, etc.) and in bandwidth (e.g. HDTV, 4k video...), all parts of the communication systems carrying this traffic must be able to operate at higher and higher speeds. This ever-growing capacity demand can only be handled by continually upgrading the capacity of all parts of the network, including long-haul links between major cities, as well as the critical 'last mile' distribution networks ending at or near the customer premises which are the focus of this project.

In UPON, rather than continuing to introduce this series of platforms, each optimised for a specific application and data rate, we will identify the network configuration which allows the maximum possible capacity per user (with a single connection), considering both the limitations of the access network itself (arising from trade-off between nonlinearity and noise) and the practically achievable capacity in the core network. This unique approach will allow the development of a single, optimised network configuration with the highest possible growth potential. By considering techno-economic modelling as a fundamental component of the network design, with equal weight to technological constraints, will also identify, propose and demonstrate cost effective evolution scenarios. These scenarios will enable the gradual roll out of network capacity and customer demand and bandwidth intensive applications are developed over the next decades. This will be achieved in three phases:
Experimental and theoretical analysis, of the impact of geographical layout on the signal loss, of the impact of various forms of optical distortions - most importantly nonlinear distortions where the light intensity alters the refractive index of the fibre itself, and cost;
Development of novel technologies to enhance the achievable data rates for each customer, specifically exploiting the unique properties of a new form of optical amplifier the "Fibre Optic Parametric Amplifier", and new transmission fibres specifically designed for access applications;
Experimental demonstrations proving the feasibility of the UPON configuration and influencing the decision making processes within major network operators.

If UPON is successful, it will pave the way for the highest possible connectivity between people, offering unprecedented quality of experience, at the optimum cost.

The primary societal impact of UPON will be to extend ubiquitous access to the highest possible speed broadband connectivity across the UK, and will consequently have significant overall economic impact. By working with the UK Photonics Industry, UPON will enable full penetration of broadband services enabling; low latency high definition domestic video conferencing (eg 4k video distribution), increased effectiveness of e-initiatives, (on-line tax, e-medicine and e-public services) and will contribute the emerging e-culture and overall quality of life. Scientifically, UPON proposes to create a centre of excellence for nonlinear system design, understanding and directly mitigating impairments and focussing, for the first time internationally, on the impact of nonlinearity in access networks. This will result in new approaches to system design and will uncover new aspects of nonlinear transmission dynamics.
In addition to the specific technical objectives outlined in the proposal, the usual high impact journal and high profile conference publications, UPON will:
1. Maintain a high quality core science programme in collaboration with the UK equipment and operator communities. Prof. Ellis has published over 175 peer reviewed conference and journal papers since entering academia in 2003, and collaborates widely in Europe, partnering in 7 EU projects since 2006. Prof. Ellis intends to continue to play a leading role in major European programmes with major companies such as OFS Fitel, Oclaro, Alcatel-Lucent and Coriant.
2. Integrate applied research within the programme to create industry-relevant technologies and products. UPON will continue to generate valuable IP with an expected rate of one invention disclosure per research fellow per year, one patent application per year, one significant know-how transfer or patent license over the course of the project. This process will be managed by the Aston Business Partnership Unit, and will ensure that IP is protected in the major international photonic manufacturing locations worldwide. Use of associated technologies will be managed through appropriate international standardisation and appropriate IP protection will be deployed for the duration of any standardisation process.
3. Cluster UK-based ICT companies around the proposal ensuring the industrial relevance of the research and providing direct exploitation routes benefiting the UK economy. The project will support the growth of existing SMEs by; developing innovative new products, enabling access to research funding, and providing training. The project will recruit and train highly-skilled people to the direct benefit of UK industry.
4. Fostering public awareness through education and outreach programmes, encouraging all self and Aston University funded PhD students associated with UPON project activities to participate in Aston Universities outreach program, and the applicants will participate 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. Provide a focus for international research. We anticipate that a successful execution of this proposal will lead to significant international interest in associated technologies. We will welcome the participation of others international research groups in advancing the knowledge base, as additional improvements can only speed up the advent of this technology, thereby hastening the adoption pace, and consequently leveraging our own work. To foster this interaction, at appropriate times we will organise international workshops to facilitate direct scientific exchange and future collaborative research and development.
Thus the overall program of research enabled by this project is expected to have wide ranging benefits to the scientific community (a new approach), industry and wider society.