EpiPhotonics, with which we have researched, developed of new low-loss electro-optic (Pb,LA)(ZrTi)O3 (PLZT) waveguides for nanosecond-speed optical switching.

The loss figures for the newly developed buried PLZT waveguide reached “below 1 dB/cm” against the previous PLZT waveguides. Since the PLZT waveguide size is only in the range from 1 cm to 2 cm, now PLZT switches have very competitive loss figures when compared to other available options. Minimum fiber to fiber insertion losses are 4 dB for a 1×8 switch and 5 dB for a 4×4 switch, for example.

EpiPhotonics will exhibit newly developed PLZT optics switches at Photonics West 2012 in San Francisco and OFC/NFOEC 2012 in Los Angeles.

• EpiPhotonics, Press Release, “EpiPhotonics developed low-loss PLZT waveguide for scalable high-speed optical switches”
• Lightwave News: EpiPhotonics touts PLZT waveguide for scalable high-speed optical switches

Mr. Shibuta made presentations at Technical Committee on Network System (NS) in December 15-16.

The titles and authours are as follows.

Authors: Naohiko Shibuta, Kenta Nakahara, Kou Kikuta, Daisuke Ishii, Satoru Okamoto, Eiji Oki, Naoaki Yamanaka
Title： Service Composition System Optimizing Network and Service Resources in E3-DCN
Abstract： We previously presented Ubiquitous Grid Networking Environment (uGrid). In uGrid, everything on the network such as devices, contents, and software is defined as Service-Part, and users are provided with composition of the several Service-Parts on the network. Recently, Data Centric Network (DCN) which users require of the network by contents names, and receive contents is studied widely. Then, we propose Energy Efficient, and Enhanced-type Data Centric Network (E3-DCN) which is extended DCN based on uGrid. In the E3-DCN, if the requested contents are not found in the network, the network constructs the requested contents with Service-Parts. In addition to that, E3-DCN aims at energy efficiency and mobility. In this paper, we propose a cost reduction method by Service-Parts copy as part of E3-DCN. Cost is reduced by copying the Service-Parts which have a software function to the optimal position. By the evaluation using ILP (Integer Linear Programming), it is shown that the case with Service-Parts copy can reduce the cost of service.

To reduce the energy consumption in the IP and Ethernet transport network, Yamanaka Lab. focuses on automatically construct the least energy consumption network topology by using traffic engineering and dynamically powering off interfaces of routers/switches.

This time, a self organized network which automatically recognizes physical network topology, automatically generate a configuration file, and automatically constructs the least energy consumption network topology by self path reroute and port power and switch module on/off control with the MiDORi GMPLS protocol.

Yamanaka Lab. will exhibit the demonstration of this self-organized network at the Keio Techno-Mall2011 at Tokyo International Forum on Dec. 9.

Press Release form Keio Univ. on Dec. 7, 2011 [Japanese]

Yamanaka Lab. will exhibit at the Keio-Technomall2011 at Tokyo International Forum on Dec. p.

The research topics we will exhibit this year are the followings.
「Multi-(layer, path, and resources) Dynamically Optimized Routing 　－MiDORi-」
「Active Optical Access Network -ActiON-」
「Ubiquitous Grid Network」
「Energy Virtual Network Operator　－EVNO-」

You can see the location of these booths(46-47,52-53) and research outlines here.

Please come and see us!

Mr.Tokuhashi and Mr. Shimada made presentations at Technical Committee on Photonic Network (PN) in Novenber 7-8.

The titles and authours are as follows.

Authors: Kazumasa Tokuhashi, Daisuke Ishii, Satoru Okamoto, Eiji Oki, Naoaki Yamanaka
Title：Energy Saving Optical Access Network based on Hybrid Passive/Active Architecture
Abstract：This paper proposes an energy saving optical access network based on hybrid passive/active architecture. Thanks to using waveguide optical switch with nanosec order switching speed, several of PON trees are aggregarted to a few OLTs when the network supports a low number of registered Optical Network Units (ONUs) or low loaded. The proposed system reduces energy consumption of OLT while improving fairness of transmission rate between subscribers. Moreover, the merit of using optical switches is to realize fast ber and OLT protection/restoration. We aim for a exible network by the combine the merit of passive and active system.

Authors: Yuji Shimada, Takehiro Sato, Kazumasa Tokuhashi, Daisuke Ishii, Masayasu Yamaguchi, Satoru Okamoto, Naoaki Yamanaka
Title：A Study of Multicast Delivery System Using PLZT Optical Switch on Active Optical Access network
Abstract：We have proposed an active optical access network (ActiON) employing high-speed optical switches that ensure a higher subscriber number and longer transmission distance than those in the case of the conventional PON. Moreover, ActiON support multicast slot allocation, which forces the switch to behave as an optical splitter. This paper study variable distribution mode, which controls the distribution rate of the power.

Mr. Sato’s letter about a design method of optical aggregation network was published in a journal of IEICE (in Japanese).

Title: A Design Method of High-Reliability and Low-Optical-Loss Optical Aggregation Network Using 2×2 Optical Switch
Authors: Takehiro Sato, Kunitaka Ashizawa, Kazumasa Tokuhashi, Daisuke Ishii, Satoru Okamoto, Eiji Oki, and Naoaki Yamanaka
Abstract: The Optical Aggregation Network is expected as a future energy-efficient network. This paper shows a novel optical switching network architecture for the Optical Aggregation Network that uses 2×2 optical switches. A performance estimation shows that the proposed architecture achieves both high reliability and low optical loss concurrently.

• IEICE Website

Ms. Yonezu’s paper about energy efficient network “MiDORi” was published in a journal of IEICE.

Title: Energy Optimal Topology Calculation Method for Self Organized Network MiDORi
Authors: Haruka Yonezu, Daisuke Ishii, Satoru Okamoto, Eiji Oki, and Naoaki Yamanaka
Abstract: In order to reduce the energy consumption of transport/data center networks, MiDORi network technology is introduced. This network is based on the concept of aggregating traffic into specific links, and powering off interfaces of routers/switches that do not convey traffic. In this paper, a practical energy-optimal topology calculation method is proposed for the MiDORi PCE. The proposal can adjust the link reduction rate and the calculation time by setting different values for the depth. Moreover, two failure management methods are proposed in order to reduce the risk of traffic aggregation. By computer simulation, it is shown that the proposed method is effective from several perspectives. Lastly, a prototype system of MiDORi network is described to observe the aspect of self organization.

• IEICE Website

Mr. Matsumoto’s paper about photovoltaic output power forcasting under smartgrid environment was published in a journal of IEICE.

Title: High Density Short-Term Forcasting Photovoltaic Output Power Architecture without Meteorological Observations in Smart Grid
Authors: Jun Matsumoto, Daisuke Ishii, Satoru Okamoto, Eiji Oki, and Naoaki Yamanaka
Abstract: We propose a forecasting architecture of near future photovoltaic output power based on the multipoint output power data via smart meter. The conventional forecasting methods are based on the analysis of meteorological observation data, and need the implementation of dedicated meters and the connection to them. Moreover, short-term forecasting is difficult in the conventional methods, since the short-term output power variation is irregular. Our proposed method is based on not meteorological observation data but the actual measured output power data by using the solar panels connected with a smart meter as sensing units. A forecasting calculation server interpolate spatially the actual measured data collected from multipoint, and forecasts near future output power in each point using optical flow estimation. Virtual sampling technique involves the forecast performance when the sampling point is sparse. We show effectiveness of the proposed forecasting method and improvement in forecasting accuracy with virtual sampling by the computer simulation.

• IEICE Website

Dr. Okamoto was commended for his contribution to IEICE.

His dedicated activity contribution to invigorating academic exchange in the IEICE Communications Society was rewarded.

We have successfully closed iPOP this year gathering more than 270 participants despite the aftermath of the earthquake in Tohoku. Let me thank you all for the support on behalf of the committee. At the conference, we mentioned that more than 200 children, expected to success in the future, has given up hope to continue their education due to the earthquake disaster, and asked for donations including DVD sales and participation fee for the reception. Fortunately, we were able to donate 148,230 yen to the Japanese nonprofit organization Ashinaga (“long-legs”).
I hope we can save those children that are forced to abandon their dream to earn a living as much as possible! Thank you very much.

Please see iPOP2011 Website about detalis.