PROTEUS-6G
Programmable Reconfigurable Optical Transport
for Efficiently offering Unconstrained Services in 6G
PROTEUS-6G aims to design and develop a dynamic, flexible, scalable, cost-effective, high-bandwidth, and low-latency packet-optical fronthaul and midhaul for 6G networks. This initiative is geared towards enabling the dynamic management of radio functional splits, facilitating the adaptation of 6G networks to varying environments, including changes in services and traffic. In this novel scenario, the 6G network adaptation involves both selecting the most appropriate functional split and reconfiguring the underlying packet-optical fronthaul and midhaul network. This ensures the provision of the required transport capacity and latency demanded by the selected centralization level.
Designing a Spatially Diverse point-to-multi-point optical fronthaul network
Developing a novel spatially-diverse point-to-multi-point (SDPtMP) optical fronthaul distribution network involves incorporating a degree-four spatial division multiplexing (SDM) feed for a primary capacity multiplier and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) for a secondary capacity multiplier. Introducing an SDM feed to the Optical Distribution Network (ODN) and establishing capacity allocations in digital subcarrier assignments per Remote Unit (RU) and Central Unit (CU) enables all RUs to operate on a shared optical wavelength without interference. This achievement is realized through an innovative optical device that optically carves out transmitted digital subcarriers using an array of sharp optical interleaving filters designed to function collectively as a circular subcarrier multiplexer/demultiplexer. When the capacity is fully utilized across the SDM group, a second optical wavelength may be introduced and assigned to specific RUs using a Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS). The SDPtMP architecture derives benefits from the combined capacity scaling of SDM and WDM, along with the spatial and spectral assignment of RU-CU connections, all achieved without the need for splitters or combiners in the light path.
Supporting the requirements for high capacity and low latency using novel transceivers
Next-generation Digital Subcarrier Multiplexing (DSCM) transceivers will be employed for dynamic functional splitting up to option 7-2. Innovative ultra-high-speed, low-latency, cost-effective, and power-efficient Lite-Coherent (LITECOH) transceivers (TXR) will be developed as key enablers for the realization of cell-free MIMO, achieving ultra-high fronthaul capacities as specified in functional split option 8. This enables 6.4 Tbps per fiber over 8 wavelengths (λ) by developing the LITE-COH TXR, featuring 0.8 Tb/s per-λ. Additionally, it contributes to reduced latencies and significant cost and power reductions through the incorporation of all-optical-signal-processing (AOSP) functionality. The LITE-COH TXR displaces bandwidth-limited and power-hungry Digital Signal Processing (DSP) used in processing IQ quadratures and orthogonal polarizations in conventional coherent TXRs, resulting in approximately 50% power savings in the new TXRs.
Novel ML service management and orchestration to enable Flexible Functional Splits
Develop a novel service management, orchestration, and control system for the PROTEUS-6G packet-optical xhaul (fronthaul and midhaul) network solution. This system aims to enable the dynamic reconfiguration of functional splits in the RU/DU/CU and the packet-optical x-haul network, ensuring the delivery of the required transport capacity as demanded by the selected split level. The solution will also encompass the design of data models and protocols for key optical network elements, facilitating a fully programmable and monitorable x-haul network deployment. Additionally, this initiative will address autonomous networking architectures and optimization algorithms geared towards efficient packet-optical network resources, network function, and service management.
INNOVATION AREAS
PROTEUS-6G aims to bring various innovations on the following areas:
- Optical x-haul networks for 6G
- Spatially-Diverse Point-to-Multi-Point (SDPtMP) Node
- Plasmonic-based Simplified, Coherent, Optical Transceivers
- Service Management, Orchestration, and Control for Adaptive Management of Fronthaul and Midhaul Transport (Packet/Optical) Connections Enabling Dynamic Functional Split
NEWS & EVENTS
Highlights from the Summer School on Optical Communication at ETH Zurich
The Summer School on Optical Communication, held from September 10 to 12, 2024, at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, was an outstanding
October 25, 2024
Recap of Summer School on Optical Communications at ETH Zurich
Last week, ETH Zurich hosted a highly successful summer school focused on photonics and optical communications. Co-organized by FLEX-SCALE, ALLEGRO
September 16, 2024
Summer School on Optical Communications
We are excited to announce the Summer School on Optical Communication, taking place from September 10 to 12, 2024, at
July 6, 2024