Packet-optical transport network for future radio infrastructure

Abstract

The advent of 6G is expected to transform connectivity by necessitating robust and scalable transport networks, capable of managing the escalating demands for enhanced bandwidth, negligible latency, and heightened network automation. The progression towards centralized radio access networks and the cloudification of network functions introduce additional requirements to the transport network. Addressing these demands, the integration of packet and optical systems combines packet flexibility with the high bandwidth and low latency of optical systems, aiming for a balance between performance, efficiency, and functionality. This process considers cost and the reuse of existing infrastructure towards a seamless transition to 6G. The concept of a Mini-ROADM, a cost-effective, energy-efficient optical switch created using silicon photonics, is presented and demonstrated in a ring network application. The role of a transport-aware end-to-end orchestrator in coordinating resources across radio, transport, and cloud domains to ensure a diverse range of quality-of-service levels is also discussed. A system demonstrator that highlights the integration of packet and optical layers and the concrete application of these concepts in a network environment is presented.