Intent and Context-Aware Optical Networks

The Intent and Context-aware Optical Network (ICON) project builds the research foundation for a new generation of optical networks, in which sensing is designed as an integral part of overall system architecture. ICON will enable communication networks that offer sensing services, turning the terrestrial and subsea fibre infrastructure into a global scale sensing manifold. This will pave the way for future network evolution of services offering a wide range of sensing applications in diverse areas such as geological disturbances, global weather and oceanographic phenomena, and urban mobility. The control and management of such new sensing services will be enabled by extensible and modular ICON intelligent sensing controller that include an intent interpreter and network digital twin to preserve state information. As an integral part of future communications systems, the ICON functions and sensing devices enable transmission optimization that goes beyond today’s signal monitoring. The ICON project will develop fibre sensing and controls to create context awareness of both the internal fibre system state as well as the environment encompassing it. This addition of a sensing dimension to transmission engineering in optical networks brings new tools for optimizing transmission performance and increasing availability and energy efficiency.