About ALLEGRO ‘Agile ultra low energy secure networks’
ALLEGRO aims at designing and validating a novel end-to-end sliceable, reliable, and secure architecture for next-generation optical networks, achieving high transmission/switching capacity
- with 10 Tb/s for optoelectronic devices and 1 Pbt/s for optical fiber systems
- low power consumption/cost
- with > 25% savings
- and secure infrastructures and data transfers.
The architecture relies on key enabling innovations:
- smart, coherent transceivers exploiting multi-band & multi-fiber technologies for P2P and P2MP applications, based on e.g., high-speed plasmonic modulators/photodetectors and programmable silicon photonic integrated waveguide meshes;
- loss-less, energy-efficient transparent photonic integrated optical switches, eliminating OEO conversions, e.g., with on-chip amplification in the O-band for datacom applications;
- a consistent approach to security, in terms of functional/ protocol architectures and communications, further improving QKD systems, enabling optical channel co-existence and researching on quantum-resistant (post-quantum) cryptography, developing systems based on physically unclonable functions; and
- a scalable AI/ML assisted control and orchestration system, responsible for autonomous networking, dynamic and constrained service provisioning, function placement and resource allocation, leveraging devices increasing programmability and overall network softwarization.
To achieve the target objectives and KPIs, ALLEGRO has defined a clear methodology ending in ambitious demonstrators. The consortium includes a good balance of industry and research/academia with know-how in complementary fields.
The results of ALLEGRO will be disseminated in leading conferences, events, and high-impact journals. They will have a concrete and measurable economic and social impact, contributing towards achieving key European objectives, reinforcing European leadership and digital sovereignty in the ongoing digital and green transition.
Project News
🔬 Ensuring Functional Chip Quality: ALLEGRO’s Pre-Validation Testing 🔬
In the ALLEGRO project, ensuring high-performance photonic chips starts with a rigorous pre-validation testing phase before electrical and optical packaging. This crucial step eliminates non-functional chips early, optimizing time and cost efficiency. 🔹 Key Steps in...
🚀 Advancing Photonic Integration with ALLEGRO’s Waveguide Mesh 🚀
As part of the ALLEGRO project, we are pushing the frontiers of photonic integration with an advanced waveguide mesh—a versatile platform designed for high-performance optical processing, switching, and signal manipulation. 🔹 Programmable Photonic Waveguide MeshThe...
🚀 Advancing Optical Communication: ALLEGRO’s Experimental Setup 🚀
In the ALLEGRO project, we are optimizing the characterization of optical networks through a carefully designed experimental setup that enhances signal transmission and reception. 🔹 TX to RX Optical NetworkThe setup consists of a transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX)...
🚀 Advancing Fibre-to-Chip Efficiency in ALLEGRO 🚀
As part of the ALLEGRO project, we are pushing the boundaries of passive component fabrication to enhance fibre-to-chip coupling efficiency (CE) and reduce fibre-to-fibre insertion loss (F2F IL) below 10 dB. 🔹 Optimizing Edge Couplers (EC)✅ Higher & broader CE...
🔬 Advancing Coherent Photodetectors (PDs) in ALLEGRO! 🚀
In our latest development, the ALLEGRO project continues to push the limits of high-speed photodetection. Previous results from RP1 demonstrated a flat electro-optical response up to 100 GHz and consistent responsivity in the C-band. 📡 Key Highlights from This Run:✅...
🔬 IQ Modulators – First Run Testing Underway! 🚀
Exciting progress on the ALLEGRO project! The first run of our IQ modulators is currently undergoing testing, and we anticipate meeting our predicted KPI targets. Despite some unexpected fabrication challenges causing minor delays, the completion of this stage ensures...
ALLEGRO: Transforming Metro-Backbone Networks with Smart Optical Innovation
🚀 ALLEGRO: Transforming Metro-Backbone Networks with Smart Optical Innovation 🚀 As we move toward beyond 5G and 6G, the demand for ultra-high capacity, low-latency, and energy-efficient metro-backbone networks is greater than ever. ALLEGRO is leading this...
🚀 Advancing Long-Reach Access with SDM-DWDM P2MP Transmission 🚀
As networks evolve to support 5G/6G x-haul connectivity, traditional P2P connections—though offering high capacity—come with high costs due to the sheer number of components and fibres required. ALLEGRO is pioneering a more cost-efficient and scalable solution by...
🚀 ALLEGRO: Redefining Metro-Backbone Networks for Beyond 5G/6G 🚀
As network demands surge, the metro-backbone must evolve to support ultra-high capacity, low latency, and energy-efficient connectivity. ALLEGRO is driving this transformation with a disruptive, smart, and sliceable packet-optical network designed to meet the...
🚀 ALLEGRO: Shaping the Future of Network Architecture 🚀
The next decade of networking demands a disruptive approach—one that seamlessly integrates access, metro, and data center networks. ALLEGRO is pioneering a visionary architecture designed to redefine scalability, efficiency, and resilience in large-scale...