Project description
The future is innovative, safe and low-energy optical networks
As the fifth generation (5G) mobile networks come into reality, the stage is being set to welcome Beyond 5G and 6G future. The next big thing in mobile networks promises improved optical networks. In this context, the EU-funded ALLEGRO project will develop a revolutionary novel optical network solution, which can reach drastically higher transmission capacities while maintaining much lower power usage costs and remaining safe for data exchanges. Specifically, it will use loss-less energy-efficient transparent photonic integrated optical switches, an array of data safety improvements, and innovative transceivers while utilising multi-band and multi-fibre technologies and an AI-assisted management and control system for improved operation.
Objective
ALLEGRO aims at designing and validating a novel end-to-end sliceable, reliable, and secure architecture for next-generation optical networks, achieving high transmission/switching capacity -- with 10 Tb/s for optoelectronic devices and 1 Pbt/s for optical fiber systems --; low power consumption/cost -- with > 25% savings -- and secure infrastructures and data transfers. The architecture relies on key enabling innovations: i) smart, coherent transceivers exploiting multi-band & multi-fiber technologies for P2P and P2MP applications, based on e.g. high-speed plasmonic modulators/photodetectors and programmable silicon photonic integrated waveguide meshes; ii) loss-less, energy-efficient transparent photonic integrated optical switches, eliminating OEO conversions, e.g. with on-chip amplification in the O-band for datacom applications; iii) a consistent approach to security, in terms of functional/protocol architectures and communications, further improving QKD systems, enabling optical channel co-existence and researching on quantum-resistant (post-quantum) cryptography, developing systems based on physically unclonable functions; and iv) a scalable AI/ML assisted control and orchestration system, responsible for autonomous networking, dynamic and constrained service provisioning, function placement and resource allocation, leveraging devices increasing programmability and overall network softwarization.
To achieve the target objectives and KPIs, ALLEGRO has defined a clear methodology ending in ambitious demonstrators. The consortium includes a good balance of industry and research/academia with know-how in complementary fields. The results of ALLEGRO will be disseminated in leading conferences, events, and high-impact journals. They will have a concrete and measurable economic and social impact, contributing towards achieving key European objectives, reinforcing European leadership and digital sovereignty in the ongoing digital and green transition.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringfibers
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensors
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencescomputer securitycryptography
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationstelecommunications networksoptical networks
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsfibre optics
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinator
80686 Munchen
Germany
See on map
Participants (19)
546 36 THESSALONIKI
See on map
81541 Munchen
See on map
106 82 ATHINA
See on map
2790 078 Carnaxide
See on map
46022 Valencia
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
20692 Yokneam
See on map
151 24 MAROUSSI
See on map
5612 AE Eindhoven
See on map
00118 Roma
See on map
20123 Milano
See on map
43124 Parma
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
08860 Castelldefels Barcelona
See on map
10138 Torino
See on map
28050 MADRID
See on map
08034 Barcelona
See on map
10129 Torino
See on map
15342 Ag Paraskeyi
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
30201 Cartagena
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
35510 Cesson-Sevigne
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Partners (3)
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
8092 Zuerich
See on map
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
1227 CAROUGE GENEVE
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
BS8 1QU Bristol
See on map