In the ALLEGRO project, we’re advancing the frontier of smart city infrastructure by unifying communication and sensing over existing fibre-optic networks.
Traditionally used for high-speed optical connectivity, these fibres are now being reimagined as a dense urban sensing grid. Leveraging advanced channel information from coherent receivers—including polarization and phase variations—we transform fibre networks into highly sensitive vibration detectors [Zen22].
This innovation enables:
✅ Real-time traffic monitoring along urban fibre routes (often running parallel to roads)
✅ Early detection of network disruptions or physical threats
✅ Enhanced resilience and security of critical ICT infrastructures
✅ Optimal use of existing telecom assets
This dual-use approach marks a significant step toward integrated, adaptive urban management, combining communication and environmental awareness in one unified platform.
#SmartCities #JointSensingAndCommunication #FibreOptics #UrbanInnovation #ALLEGROproject #TelecomInfrastructure #Resilience #ICT #DigitalTransformation #TrafficMonitoring