Workshops

All Workshops will be taking place at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre on Sunday 30 June 2024. Attendance is free however an RSVP is required through the registration form. If you wish to add a Workshop to your registration, please contact registration@oecc2024.com.

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Workshop on Developments towards Future Non-Terrestrial Networks - IEEE INGR optics Roadmap

Organisers: Fulong Yan, Carmen Mas Machuca, Yongli Zhao

Recently, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), and particularly low earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks, are advocated as key infrastructure for global coverage of forthcoming 6G. Integration between terrestrial and satellite networks will further enhance network capabilities. Innovative solutions in this space encompass advanced satellite technologies, free space optics, inter-satellite links, new architectures, interfaces, LEO constellations, and novel protocols for efficient data transmission. Additionally, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain will play pivotal roles in enhancing network management, security, and resource optimization in NTNs. Optical switching enables rapid and reliable data routing and resource allocation within satellite networks, optimizing bandwidth utilization and minimizing latency. The research on integration of optical switching technologies with satellite networks offers promising avenues for enhancing data transmission efficiency and network performance in space-based communications. To address emerging challenges posed by dynamic topology, intermittent inter-satellite links, and significantly expanded satellite constellation sizes, satellite networks are incorporating software-defined networking (SDN) techniques. Consequently, a variety of routing algorithms have been devised to enhance data transmission efficiency across satellite networks. Furthermore, integrated scheduling of optical wavelengths across inter-satellite links and multiple beams in satellite-to-ground communication enables optimized resource allocation for services between ground stations. Moreover, to accommodate latency-sensitive applications, satellite networks are transitioning from best-effort service to quality-of-service provisioning, facilitated by advanced control and scheduling mechanisms leveraging artificial intelligence. This workshop will discuss how these emerging techniques can enable NTN in the forthcoming 6G networks both in the short- and longer-term roadmaps.

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Workshop on Evolution of Optical X-haul in Future Wireless Networks: Systems, Architectures and Management - IEEE INGR optics Roadmap

Organisers: Chathurika Ranaweera, Lena Wosinska, HwanSeok Chung, Dan Kilper

As the demand for high-speed, low-latency connectivity for diverse emerging applications surges with advances in wireless technologies such as 5G and beyond, the evolution of optical X-haul for such complex wireless networks becomes paramount. The IEEE International Network Generation Roadmap (INGR), a part of the IEEE Future Networks Initiative, was created to develop a 10-year roadmap for wireless networks. It includes optical networks, where transport networks such as fronthaul, mid-haul, and backhaul, referred to as x-haul, are included. This workshop explores the evolution of optical systems, architectures, and management paradigms in shaping the landscape of future wireless networks. In particular, the evolving standards, technologies, and deployment strategies of optical x-haul, reconfigurable optical access network and the integration of edge computing into optical network architectures will be discussed. The workshop will address the challenges related to supporting ultra-low latency, cost effectiveness, energy efficiency, higher responsiveness, enable distributed processing and real-time data analytics at the network edge. The roadmap along with challenges and opportunities inherent in the convergence of optical and wireless networks to provide optical technologies for future wireless networks, will be discussed. The aim is to guide diverse stakeholders in navigating the complexities of future wireless communication ecosystems.

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Workshop on Optical Wireless Technology

Organisers: Jianghao Li, Ampalavanapillai Nirmalathas, Ke Wang

The combination of ultrabroadband speeds and low-latency networking has attracted a great deal of interest in the development of optical approaches for wireless. Among the approaches, Free Space Optics (FSO), Visible Light Communication (VLC) and Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) has been one of the most actively researched areas for high-speed data transmission and flexible networking. This workshop provides a review of selected research toward the development of optical wireless communications for various applications. Driven by the advance of 5G and beyond throughout the world, sustained growth of data traffic is anticipated and will rapidly exhaust the bandwidth resources in the foreseeable future. As a promising alternative to accommodate the increasing wireless bandwidth demand, optical wireless communications are attracting ever-increasing attentions. However, key challenging issues such as reliability, mobility and networking remain unsolved and require further research efforts. In this workshop, the speakers will provide more innovative ideas, insightful viewpoints and professional perspective on optical wireless communications and networking.