The Optical Communications Group (GCO) of the University of Valladolid has developed since it´s inception a broad activity in the field of basic research of optical components, later expanded to the design of optical networks, and more recently addressing other areas such as radiocommunications and wireless location systems. Thus, new lines of action have been progressively opened in other areas. Currently the group works in four basic areas: optical communication networks, radiocommunications, rehabilitation technologies and teaching innovation. In this sense, the group has always been concerned about research in the improvement of teaching-learning processes, developing several projects to develop software to support teaching and improvement of teaching material. In addition, the group also plays an important role in the development of applications aimed at innovation in production processes and management.

In the field of optical components and their applications, a total of 5 articles have been published in international journals, 6 international book chapters, and more than a dozen contributions to international and national congresses. In addition, 4 doctoral theses on this subject have been developed.

At the end of 1998, a new line of research focused on the analysis and design of optical networks was launched. Given the group’s experience in the field of components, the research focused on a first moment to analyze the optimal location of the components in the network. Subsequently, the research focused on the design and optimization of WRON networks (Wavelength-Routed Optical Networks or networks with wavelength routing). In this field we have proposed several efficient and fast algorithms to design virtual topologies, new methods to solve the problem of routing and assignment of static wavelengths, metaheuristic techniques such as optimization through ant colonies and genetic algorithms to solve routing and assignment problems. of static and dynamic wavelength. We have shown that these techniques achieve excellent results with a calculation time much lower than that used by other alternatives. More recently we have developed methods based on genetic algorithms for the design of logical topologies in reconfigurable WDM networks and for the routing and sizing of networks. We have also worked on hybrid networks proposing polymorphic networks in collaboration with the group of Electro-Optical Communications of the TU / e (Technological University of Eindhoven, The Netherlands). This type of network combines several switching paradigms in a single physical network, so that for each service offered by the network the most appropriate paradigm is used.

Within the project of the VII CHRON framework program, of which we were coordinators, we proposed the CHRON (Cognitive and Heterogeneous Reconfigurable Optical Network) Networks. In this field, the use of cognitive methods for the control and design of this type of networks has been proposed. Within the scope of Artificial Intelligence, collaboration with the Admela Jukan Research Group is also noteworthy, with which we recently published a survey article on the use of AI in the field of optical networks. More recently, we have started working on the design of control algorithms for elastic or flexible optical networks. Thanks to the collaboration with Telefónica I + D we worked on the evaluation of the impact of the use of the TCP protocol on OBS (Optical Burst Switching) optical networks.

Another of the lines in which we work is the proposal of mechanisms of control of access to the environment in passive optical access networks that allow to offer an adequate quality of service to the stipulated requirements and a differentiation of users according to the conditions of the suppliers of service and operators. In this sense, several methods and algorithms have been proposed for this management in EPON and GPON access networks, as well as Long-Reach PON long distance networks. Part of the work of this line has been reflected in collaborations and publications made with the Group of Professor John Senior of the University of Hertforshire and with the Telecommunication Networks Engineering Group (GIRTEL) of the University of Cartagena. On the other hand, in this area of ​​passive optical access networks, we are also starting a line of research focused on SDN (Software Defined Networks) using a real 25 km GPON network model mounted in our laboratory. Part of this research is being done in part in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Madrid and we already have recent publications.

On the other hand, a new topic related to radiocommunications and dosimetry and localization has been opened in recent years. In this subject, different lines of work are addressed. In particular, one line focuses on developing integration systems for measuring stations, the second deals with MIMO systems and finally a third line focuses on wireless localization techniques in interiors. On the other hand, we are recently working on the resolution of intermediate frequency problems in the field of dosimetry and localization.

The Optical Communications Group also works on a line of research consolidated in recent years in which prototypes for Rehabilitation Technologies are developed. In this sense, it works on the implementation of real-time systems for the extraction, processing and interpretation of biomedical signals and in other systems for the sensory or functional stimulation of users with different conditions.

The members of the group are members of several scientific and professional societies: IEEE, OSA, COIT / AEIT, and we collaborate as reviewers of several international publications in the field of optical communications (including Electronics Letters, Photonics Technology Letters, Optics Letters, Optics Communications, Journal of the Optical Society of America B, IEEE / OSA Journal of Lightwave Technology, IEEE / OSA Journal of Optical Communications and Networking, and Elsevier Optical Switching and Networking). The work of the Optical Communications Group in the direction of Doctoral Theses and End of Degree Projects has been rewarded with obtaining various national, regional and local awards.