B5G-OPEN targets the design, prototyping and demonstration of a novel end-to-end integrated packet-optical transport architecture based on MultiBand (MB) optical transmission and switching networks. MB expands the available capacity of optical fibres, by enabling transmission within S, E, and O bands, in addition to commercial C and/or C+L bands, which translates into a potential 10x capacity increase and low-latency for services beyond 5G. To realize multiband networks, technology advances are required, both in data, control and management planes.
B5G-OPEN will explore a wide range of transport solutions that will co-exist to provide a novel high-bandwidth and cost-effective infrastructure ranging from front/mid-haul to data-centre interconnection and metro/core. This objective drives R&D on: MB technology beyond C+L, enabling spectrum usage of up to 53 THz; (ii) Optical MB subsystems (iii) per-band filter-less solutions; (iv) Packet-opto white box supporting flexible pluggable coherent modules as well as (v) PtMP systems applied beyond access scope (e.g. metro), across network segments, and in MB; Towards this prime objective, B5G-OPEN will design and develop MB switching, amplification and transmission solutions. The innovative prototypes will (switching nodes, amplifiers, transmission) will operate at multiple bands, beyond the conventional C or C+L bands.
B5G-OPEN will also design and validate a novel MB optical access and X-haul infrastructure enabling massive small cell deployments based on: (i) MB (> 4 optical bands); (ii) heterogeneous PtP and PtMP services; (iii) power-efficient pluggable-based multi-technology; and (iv) an X-haul infrastructure that will enable the deployment of a massive WDM channel fixed-line connectivity, with technology-agnostic hybrid connectivity schemes in the last-drop, and supporting QoS-guaranteed services over both 5G and innovative Li-Fi access.
The above MB solutions will be complemented with novel massive monitoring techniques. Towards this, B5G-OPEN will develop new monitoring methods to monitor physical layer transmission parameters (e.g. chromatic dispersion, OSNR), device parameters (e.g. temperature, current) while at the same time minimizing their cost using HW-accelerated performance/impairment models, low-cost devices, and AI-algorithm;
With respect the control plane, B5G-OPEN will design and development a Node Operating System, which will combine P4 packet switching and forwarding with flexible optical transmission. Flow adaptation/control/monitoring capabilities in the ms time scale, will be enabled leveraing AI prediction and wire-speed P4 operations. A 50% CAPEX reduction is foresen by avoiding node solutions designed for the telecom market. In addition control-loops will be implemented at various levels, from device, to demonstrate autonomous cognitive networking for collecting, analysing, making decisions, and acting on the network devices.
B5G-OPEN will have a clear impact on the society showing the evolution towards a world with increased needs of connectivity and higher capacity in support of new B5G services and new traffic patterns.
The consortium includes partners from 8 countries: three major telecom operators, three vendors, three SMEs and five research centres and academia.
