Demo Zone Submission Deadline: Tuesday, 18 November 2025, Noon, 12:00 EDT (UTC-04:00)
The Demo Zone features live demonstrations of research projects and proof-of-concept implementations related to novel, non-commercial, optical communication devices, systems, and networks.
Demonstrations occur in a dedicated booth in the demo zone equipped with a table, a monitor, and a bulletin board. They are shown to small groups, favoring an interactive format with real-time exchanges between attendees and demo presenters. Demonstrations are typically executed on request and may incorporate a mix of on-site and remote equipment. These could additionally involve recorded videos or live connections to remote hardware or experiments.
As a guideline, the maturity of the demonstrated feature should be at a technology readiness level (TRL) of 6 or lower. Please refer to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_readiness_level for more information on TRL.
Topic Categories
The Demo Zone showcases various aspects of optical physical layer transmission, hardware, and network orchestration/intelligence. These aspects include, but are not restricted to:
- Automated Device Alignment or Characterization Setups
- Hierarchical Packet/Optical Pluggable Control
- Automated Measurement Setups for Advanced Transmission Experiments Including the Use of Novel Optical Fibers
- Systems, Sub-Systems, and Devices for Free-Space, Microwave, or Optical Fiber Transmission and Switching
- Digital Processing Sub-Systems and Sensing, Including Integration of Communications and Sensing
- Optical Access Networks Including Their Convergence with Metro Transport, Wireless Access Networks, Mobile Edge Computing
- Novel Networking Elements and Concepts, Including Those Supporting Time-Deterministic and Low-Latency Applications
- Network Virtualization, Slicing, Software-Defined Control of Networks
- Programmable Networks, Including Softwarised Network Functions and Programmable Hardware
- Application of AI and ML to Optical Networks, Systems, and Subsystems, Including Autonomous Network Management, Control and Orchestration
- Digital Twin for Optical Networks, Systems, And Subsystems
- AI for Optics and Optics for AI
- Quantum Networking, Including Demonstration of Entanglement Distribution, Hybrid Quantum and Postquantum Solutions and Quantum Layer Management
- Implementation of Advanced QKD Applications and Quantum Protocols, Including Practical Implementation for Quantum/Classical Interaction
The chance to showcase technical accomplishments in depth through live demonstrations provides a great opportunity for engaging in discussions with participants.
Submission Deadline: 18 November 2025, 12:00 Noon Eastern Time (UTC-05:00)
Materials Provided by OFC Onsite for Accepted Demo Zone
An 8’x30” (243 cm x 76 cm) countertop table, an 8-foot-high x 4-foot-wide (244 cm x 122 cm) bulletin board (as for the poster session), a power outlet strip (5 outlets), and WLAN connectivity.