- Data-center networks: rack-to-rack, board-to-board, chip-to-chip, datacenter interconnects, intensity modulation, direct detection, single-mode fiber vs. multi-mode fiber, serial vs. parallel optics, space-division multiplexing vs. wavelength-division multiplexing, Ethernet (10G, 40G, 100G), Fibre Channel, scaling and energy efficiency.
- Access networks: fiber-to-the-X, passive optical networks (GPON, EPON, NG-PON2, WDM PON), statistical multiplexing vs. point-to-point
- Metro- and long-haul networks:
- System-design aspects: dense WDM (ITU grid), optical amplifiers, chromatic dispersion, coherent detection, optical vs. electronic impairment mitigation, capacity limits.
- Wavelength switching: wavelength selective switch (WSS), reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM).
- Standards and protocols: synchronous optical networking and synchronous digital hierarchy (SONET/SDH), optical transport network (OTN), generalized multi-protocol label switching (GMPLS), software-defined networking (SDN).
- Optical networks in automotive and industrial automation: polymer-optical fiber (POF), MOST Bus, Profibus and Profinet, optical vs. electrical communication links, overcoming bandwidth limitations using digital signal processing.