This past July, a unique learning opportunity took place in Berlin, the Hands-On Summer School on Coherent Optical Communications, held in parallel with the IEEE Summer Topicals and the University of Stuttgart. The program offered a dynamic mix of cutting-edge technical sessions and practical laboratory training, bridging theory with real-world application.
Each day of the summer school was split into two parts: participants attended technical sessions at the IEEE Summer Topicals during one half of the day and engaged in hands-on lab training during the other. In a hotel meeting room rapidly transformed into a fully functional optics lab, students worked directly with key hardware components, including lasers, modulators, and coherent receivers. They characterized transmission links via OSNR measurement and applied digital signal processing techniques to transmit a DP-QPSK signal. The innovative setup highlighted both logistical agility and the power of experiential learning.
The program brought together 16 master’s-level students from across the globe, representing Ecuador, Brazil, Italy, the UK, France, and Germany. Participants gained a deeper technical understanding of coherent optical systems, while also benefiting from invaluable experience with lab equipment in a conference setting. Beyond technical learning, the summer school fostered international networking, connecting emerging researchers with peers and industry professionals from diverse backgrounds.
The summer school was tightly integrated with the IEEE Summer Topicals, ensuring participants had direct access to world-leading researchers and exposure to the latest developments in the field. The program was led by:
• Ruben S. Luis (NICT, Japan)
• Menno van den Hout (Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands)
• Robert Emmerich (Fraunhofer HHI, Germany)
Together, the instructors combined theoretical teaching with practical demonstrations, creating a holistic educational experience that participants praised highly.
The unique dual structure of the program, alternating between conference sessions and lab practice, was widely recognized as a major strength. Participants emphasized how this balance enriched their understanding by pairing conceptual insights with hands-on skills. This format not only reinforced learning but also kept engagement high throughout the program.
Several key strategies contributed to the success of the summer school:
• Adaptive logistics: The quick transformation of a hotel meeting room into a fully functioning optics lab showed flexibility and resourcefulness.
• Hybrid format: Combining academic sessions with laboratory practice provided a well-rounded experience and helped reinforce concepts.
• Expert-led instruction: A multidisciplinary team of global experts offered both technical depth and international perspectives.
Coherent optical communications systems are the backbone of the global information and communications infrastructure, and this program underscored the importance of equipping the next generation of engineers with both theoretical and practical skills.
Generous support from NOKIA (travel and accommodation sponsorship), Keysight and the Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz Institute (technical equipment), IEEE Photonics Society (educational seed funding) and NICT (event logistics) made this program possible. The IEEE Photonics Society is also proud to provide free registration to the IEEE Summer Topicals for attendees of the summer school.
