UNLOC is a UK research programme focused on unlocking the capacity of optical communications. It is a £4.8 million five-year collaborative project between the Optical Networks Group at UCL, Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies at Aston University and multiple industry partners. Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), our team's mission is to unlock the capacity of optical communication systems.
Research within UNLOC focuses on developing new theoretical and experimental approaches to increase the capacity of optical fibre transmission technologies, which support and transform our economy, science, education, healthcare, transport and almost every other aspect of modern life.
Combining techniques from information theory, coding, advanced modulation formats, digital signal processing and advanced photonics, we develop breakthrough techniques to ensure that the underlying communications infrastructure can continue to meet the growing demand for faster and more reliable global networks.
We have spent the last 6 years unlocking the capacity of optical communications (and at least another year beforehand writing the proposal!). I think it's been a very successful programme and we have made huge, huge progress. Not least - in the people who have worked on the programme and have gone on, all over the world to unlock aspects of optical systems and networks! We have achieved great results, published exceptional papers, we have received prizes, grants, awards, accolades, fellowships - but most importantly - made great friendships and had a wonderful time!Hopefully we will do more together! Thank you to all the members of our advisory board who have helped to strengthen the programme and keep it focused. The impact of UNLOC has been tremendous will continue through our new EPSRC programme grant TRANSNET on the transformation of optical networks through intelligent transceivers, unlocking bounds and capacities, and breaking new ground!We have spent the last 6 years unlocking the capacity of optical communications (and at least another year beforehand writing the proposal!). I think it's been a very successful programme and we have made huge, huge progress. Not least - in the people who have worked on the programme and have gone on, all over the world to unlock aspects of optical systems and networks! We have achieved great results, published exceptional papers, we have received prizes, grants, awards, accolades, fellowships - but most importantly - made great friendships and had a wonderful time!Hopefully we will do more together! Thank you to all the members of our advisory board who have helped to strengthen the programme and keep it focused. The impact of UNLOC has been tremendous and will continue through our new EPSRC programme grant TRANSNET (http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/R035342/1) on transforming optical networks through intelligent transceivers, unlocking bounds and capacities, and breaking new ground!
When: Friday 2 June
Where: The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG
24 February, 2016
UNLOC researchers confirmed experimentally that a laser-based technique first proposed in the 70s can be successfully applied in long distance fibre communications systems to significantly increase their capacity and reach.
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This project is supported under the Programme Grants Scheme of EPSRC with a reference number EP/J017582/1. The project started on 1 May, 2012 with funding spread over 5 years. The project has received a funding extension and is now funded until 28 February 2018. |
2 June 2017
Full day symposium in partnership with Photonics Hyperhighway research programme
19-23 March 2017, Los Angeles
10 papers involving UNLOC members
1 February 2017, 09:30–17:00
Workshop at St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge
RT @GaldinoLidia: Well done Daniel Semrau @ucleeenews PhD student receiving the @IEEEPhotonics fellowship award
Fantastic news - @IEEEPhotonics award to the best 10 PhD students in #photonics worldwide! @ucleeenews @UCLEngineering @ Proud that this is 11th such award to @UCL Optical Networks Group students since these awards were introduced in 1999! Well done Daniel Semrau: @epsrc funded! twitter.com/GaldinoLidia/s…
