Successful Demonstration of Basic Technology Enabling On-Demand, Timely APN Connections from Any Location in IOWN APN

News Highlights:

Background

In the IOWN initiative, the IOWN APN leverages cutting-edge photonic technology to provide users with high-capacity, low-latency optical paths while minimizing power consumption. This is expected to enable a wide range of applications such as interactive live video streaming services, remote surgeries, and digital transformation (DX) in factories.

Since the launch of the IOWN APN 1.0 service by NTT EAST and NTT WEST in March 2023, NTT has been conducting various demonstrations that showcase the advantages of APN's high-capacity and low-latency characteristics. For example, under "IOWN APN Step 1 and Step 2 for Enterprise," NTT successfully established a stable and ultra-low-latency connection over approximately 3,000 km between Japan and Taiwan using APN technology⁴. Similarly, under "IOWN APN Step 1 and Step 2 for DCX (Data Center eXchange)," NTT is also advancing APN-based interconnection between data centers overseas.

NTT is now aiming for the next phase—IOWN APN Step 3—which envisions a new mode of APN connectivity where users at various locations can establish on-demand connections to the IOWN APN only when needed and for the required duration. One notable use case of Step 3 is remote video production, where, instead of producing content on-site, high-capacity and low-latency data transmission enables real-time video production in the cloud or at broadcasting stations. With on-demand connectivity enabled by IOWN APN Step 3, temporary high-capacity, low-latency links can be established between stadiums or event venues and production centers—making real-time video acquisition more efficient and flexible.

Challenges with Conventional Technology

Currently, when providing an optical path to users, it is necessary to dispatch technicians to the site to install data transceivers. In addition, technicians at both ends must coordinate with network operators to manually configure the optical path. To provide optical paths more promptly, it is essential to enable users to simply connect a pre-shipped data transceiver to the APN at their convenience—without the need for on-site technicians—and have the system automatically detect the connection and configure the optical path (see Figure 1).

Furthermore, to expand optical path coverage across a broader area, it is necessary to utilize various types of optical fibers already deployed in existing networks. Since the optimal wavelength band for optical transmission varies depending on the type of fiber, the system must also support wavelength band conversion to ensure the optical path uses the most suitable wavelength.

To address these challenges, NTT has been developing key technologies to support IOWN APN Step 3, including the Photonic Gateway (Ph-GW), Photonic Exchange (Ph-EX), and the APN Controller.

Figure 1 Conventional Optical Path Setup vs. On-Demand Optical Path Setup

Demonstration and Research Results

A demonstration experiment was conducted using the Photonic Gateway (Ph-GW), Photonic Exchange (Ph-EX), and APN Controller, simulating a remote video production use case. When data transceivers located at remote sites were connected to the APN, the system successfully detected the connection automatically using plug-and-play functionality, and established an on-demand optical path between the video capture site and the editing center. This successfully demonstrated the ability to provide optical paths as needed, whenever required.

To optimize optical path utilization within the APN during the demonstration, Ph-EX's wavelength band conversion functionality was applied. The signal was transmitted by converting it to an unused wavelength band within the transmission section, allowing more efficient use of network resources.

The following steps (Figure 2) were demonstrated as part of the on-demand optical path setup process:

Figure 2 On-Demand Optical Path Setup — Demonstration Configuration and Procedure

As part of the demonstration, these operations were carried out on a network composed of six APN devices. Following the insertion of the optical fiber, the APN device on the insertion side detected the optical signal from the data transceiver. Subsequently, the optical path was automatically established, and the data transceiver on the opposite side was able to detect the optical signal transmitted through the APN optical path successfully (Figure 3).

Furthermore, the network efficiently accommodated the optical path through the use of wavelength band conversion technology implemented in the Ph-EX (Figure 4).

Figure 3 Demonstration Results of On-Demand Optical Path Setup Operation

Figure 4 Demonstration Results of Wavelength Band Conversion Function

Key Technical Highlights

Outlook

This initiative successfully demonstrated the ability to automatically detect connection information upon connecting to the IOWN APN and to build an end-to-end optical path remotely, enabling on-demand collection of video content from remote locations. Additionally, we successfully conducted a demonstration of processing remote video content and distributing it to multiple sites.

The design of the end-to-end optical path leverages existing network infrastructure through advanced optical transmission technologies. Moreover, we applied failover technologies that enable rapid and cost-effective recovery in the event of network failures—ensuring highly reliable video delivery.

These achievements support the goals of IOWN APN Step 3, paving the way for new APN connection models that will allow a broader range of use cases to benefit from APN services more flexibly than ever before.

Looking ahead, based on the results of this proof-of-concept, we will advance the commercialization of various functions with the goal of launching APN Step 3 services in fiscal year 2028 and beyond. Furthermore, by leveraging the IOWN Global Forum, we will actively contribute to the Open APN Functional Architecture⁶ and promote both the validation and global adoption of APN technologies.

Additional Information

Some functions of the APN Controller used in the demonstration experiment leveraged outcomes obtained from the grant program (No. JPJ012368G60301) by National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Japan.

[Glossary]

¹Optical Path
An optical path is a route for an optical signal that connects a transmitter to a receiver. Each optical path consists of a route made up of optical fibers and optical node systems, with specified signal capacity and assigned wavelengths.

²IOWN
The IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network) is an initiative for networks and information processing infrastructure including terminals that can provide high-speed, high-capacity communication utilizing innovative technology focused on optics, as well as tremendous computational resources. For more details, please see:
■ What is the IOWN Initiative?
https://www.rd.ntt/e/iown/

³APN
The All-Photonics Network (APN) introduces photonics (optics) based technology to every aspect from the network to terminals. This enables far lower power consumption, higher quality, greater capacity, and less delay, all of which are difficult with current electronics based technology. For more details, please visit:
■ What is the All-Photonics Network?
https://www.rd.ntt/e/iown/0002.html

⁴NTT news release: "Chunghwa Telecom and NTT activate the world's first International IOWN APN between Taiwan and Japan"

⁵PPLN
PPLN (Periodically Poled Lithium Niobate) is an optical device that enables bulk wavelength band conversion technology. It allows multiple wavelength signals contained within one wavelength band to be simultaneously converted to another wavelength band through optical processing. For more information, please visit:
Broadband Wavelength Conversion Technology Using PPLN | NTT R&D Website (Japanese)
Broadband Optical Parametric Amplification Relay Technology | NTT R&D Website (Japanese)

⁶Open APN Functional Architecture
Open APN Functional Architecture is an open photonics networking architecture proposed by the IOWN Global Forum. For more information, please visit:
Home - IOWN Global Forum
IOWN-GF-RD-Open_APN_Functional_Architecture-2.0.pdf

About NTT

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