The Optical Networking Lab.
The Optical Networking Lab of the OU-Tulsa Telecom program fulfils two roles; be a constituent member of the Interoperability Lab (see Interoperability Lab) and to also be an independent platform for research in all aspects Optical Networking, fiber-optic and Free Space Optical (FSO), including the development of novel technologies and techniques that improve efficiency and security of optical transmission. This is accomplished with both simulation tools and also with student assembled prototype networks. It also provides an educational platform for the development and/or enhancement of advanced courses in this field. Students learn optical communications and its underlying technology in a realistic environment with the use of simulation tools as well as with network prototyping. In addition, being part of the Interoperability Lab, students gain a pragmatic "touch and feel" of the overall communications network. The Optical Networking Lab has been extremely successful in its research and education mission; in the period 2002-2006 it has published more than 60 (Conference and Journal) papers, four books (three in English and one in Chinese), two e-Courses, and contributed one Chapter in the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. It has also been awarded six patents and two more has been applied for. In the same period, it has awarded one PhD and 4 MS degrees. In addition, there have been many invitations by International forums to give seminars and talks in the areas of research, it has been a founding member of IEEE Communications Society Technical Committee in "Communications & Information Security," and it has taken a leadership role in the organization of international Conferences and Symposia.
Sample of Current Areas of Research in Optical Networking
- Multi-wavelength optical transmission and networks
- Ultra-broadband network traffic and switching
- Reconfigurable optical networks
- Fault monitoring and Detection
- Fuzzy and Neural Network Control
- Channel and Link Performance
- Fast channel and network protection
- Free-space optical ring/mesh networks
- Ad-Hoc FSO mobile networks
- Fast deployable broadband networks
- Disaster avoidance networks
- Fiber to the Home
- Next generation optical networks
- Fast and efficient protocols
- Protocol convergence
- Optical signal processing and optical tag recognition
- Optical amplification cost-efficient methods
- Channel linear and non-linear phenomena affecting the optical signal
- Supercontinuum sources for cost-efficient optical network applications
- Cost-efficient dispersion compensation methods
- Security of optical networks
- Optical network security vulnerabilities
- Channel Signature monitoring
- Channel authentication
- Intruder detection and countermeasures
- Advanced methods for key distribution (incl. Quantum)
- Quantum-Fuzzy optical cryptographic methods
- Biometrics and communications network security
- Novel man-made optical materials applicable to photonic communication
- Nano-scale photonic communications
The Optical Networking Lab is led by Dr. Stamatios Kartalopoulos, Williams Professor of Telecommuncations.
