Plenary Session
The plenary session for OFC/NFOEC includes three speakers who will address recent developments and future challenges in optical fiber communications. One of the speakers is Dr. Hideo Miyahara, president of the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) in Japan. NICT conducts research and development on topics that include the architectural and elemental technologies for next-generation optical networks. Dr. Miyahara will describe the future role of information and communication technologies in society and the challenges faced in developing next-generation networks.
Technical Hot Topics
In the technical program at OFC/NFOEC, one of the hot topics for 2010 is spectral efficiency. This is being looked at in terms of multi-level modulation formats, coherent systems and the signal-processing algorithms that are needed for such systems, as well as device technology, including the development of photonic integrated circuits for coherent systems. The use of digital signal processing in transmitters and receivers has dramatically enriched the field, and many exciting results will be presented at the conference.
Charles Kao Dedication
This year, OFC/NFOEC provides attendees with an incredibly unique opportunity to hear the latest advances in research, development and engineering for optical fiber communications and to take a step back in time and hear about the early days of optical fiber communications at the Charles Kao Symposium. The Technical Program Chairs have put together a wonderful program to honor Charles Kao that includes presentations by Gwen Kao and individuals who made pioneering contributions to the development of the first practical optical fibers. Interestingly, 2010 is the 40th anniversary of the first low-loss optical fiber reported by Corning Glass Works.
See you in San Diego,
John Cartledge
OFC/NFOEC 2010 General Co-Chair