2 September 2021
One of the most highly anticipated sessions at this year’s OFC conference was the symposium on quantum information science and technology in the context of optical communications. While quantum information science covers a broad range of topics including quantum sensors and computer algorithms, some of the most interesting presentations are from leading telecom providers worldwide related to the development of quantum communication systems. Photonics plays a major role in these systems, and holds great potential for next generation voice and data networks. This month, we’ll look at some of the exciting recent developments in this field.
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By Guest blogger - Matt Walker, Chief Analyst, MTN Consulting | Posted: 9 June 2021
If you’re selling technology to communications operators and automation isn’t front and center in your messaging, then you aren’t reading the room right.
Automation is viewed as not only bringing cost savings, but also adding intelligence that humans alone cannot deliver. That applies to deploying and troubleshooting services; designing, building and operating networks; and, even back in the factory & lab setting.
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By Casimer DeCusatis | Posted: 31 May 2021
Many leading computer industry analysts have been predicting a surge in edge computing and networking applications for the coming year despite the recent pandemic. The concept of bringing vital services closer to the network edge is being driven by a need to improve available application bandwidth, reduce latency, improve resiliency, and provide better security. There are many possible use cases including telecom networks that require service provisioning closer to end users—internet of things (IoT) systems, machine learning, augmented reality and more. Since modern enterprises can use centralized resources for compute-intensive workloads and edge resources for real time applications, this approach compliments the hybrid cloud model. These topics will be discussed at the OFC Symposium on MEC-based network architectures in support of enterprise cloud. In preparation for this event, let’s take a look at some of the major industry trends for edge networking and cloud computing.
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By Casimer DeCusatis | Posted: 26 April 2021
Quantum computing has received a lot of attention recently, with a wide range of possible applications ranging from the financial sector to the automotive industry and beyond. It’s only appropriate that discussions on quantum information science will take center stage at OFC 2021. While many near term quantum computers require superconducting materials or other extreme operating conditions, some architectures based on photonics may offer important advantages. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the optical science behind quantum computers, specifically the role of new laser technologies in creating the next generation of room temperature quantum systems.
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By Casimer DeCusatis | Posted: 8 February 2021
Machine learning has received a lot of attention recently, as it finds applications in everything from self-driving cars and digital personal assistants to language translators and fraud detection systems. It’s apparent that while machine learning (and its cousin, artificial intelligence) can’t solve every problem, there are a set of well-defined issues that are very well suited to this approach.In this blog, we’ll consider what makes a good candidate problem for machine learning, and look at some of the emerging solutions in optical communication physical layer and transport networks.
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By Casimer DeCusatis | Posted: 11 January 2021
Within the past few years, quantum computing has moved from the realm of the purely theoretical into the practical as the world’s first working quantum computers have been demonstrated. Currently, these computers are about as powerful as the early difference engines built out of metal gears and hand cranks by Charles Babbage. But if we can harness polarized photons for quantum calculations, there is enormous potential to scale these devices to much more powerful systems.
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By Casimer DeCusatis | Posted: 17 July 2020
As far back as the early 1980s, Richard Feynman suggested that quantum computers might offer significant advantages over classical computers in solving certain problems in physics and chemistry. More recently, we’ve come significantly closer to overcoming the many theoretical and experimental obstacles which make practical quantum computing so difficult.
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By Casimer DeCusatis | Posted: 28 April 2020
As of this writing, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread with few signs of slowing down; over 2.2 million cases and over 150,000 deaths have been reported so far. Despite this, the OFC conference continued to serve as the preeminent technical exchange for optical communications and networking professionals, with many technical sessions now available for online viewing to those who registered for OFC. In fact, there are some industry analysts who feel that recent events might lead to significantly greater interest in optical communication technologies.
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By David Plant, Jun Shan Wey and Shinji Matsuo, OFC 2020 Technical Program Chairs | Posted: 13 March 2020
After 18 months of planning the OFC 2020 program, we had to rethink how to deliver the program in the two weeks prior to the start of the conference. As the conference drew closer, it became apparent to all of us, the onsite participation at OFC 2020 would be significantly impacted by COVID-19.
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By OFC Communications | Posted: 12 March 2020
David Welch’s remarks looked back at what brought us to this tipping point of globalization. The first demonstration of low-loss fibers and the first room-temperature semiconductor lasers fifty years ago were what led us to today’s world of instant connection. From the life-saving techniques of telemedicine to entertainment like gaming and streaming, data fuels the personal connection pipeline for all of us.
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