Fiber-optic communication systems form the backbone of the worldwide telecommunication networks, providing for more than 99% of the global data traffic. The upcoming deployment of 5/6G networks, online services like 4k/8k HDTV, and the development of the Internet of Things concept, connecting billions of active devices, as well as the high-speed optical access networks, impose progressively higher and higher requirements on the underlying optical network infrastructure.
With current network infrastructures approaching almost unsustainable levels of data traffic, network operators and system suppliers are now looking for ways to respond to these demands while also maximizing the returns on their investments.
Thus, researchers are interested in examining the solutions that allow the vendors/operators to replace or install the lowest number of network components possible while not degrading but rather improving further the quality of service.
