Intelligent Green Optical Networks Initiative
IGNITE is an open innovation cluster hosted by Fraunhofer HHI, bringing together vendors, operators, system integrators, and researchers to accelerate the development of intelligent, energy-efficient photonic networks.
Members gain access to shared test infrastructure, real-world field environments, and a collaborative ecosystem - co-financed through public funding and industry partnerships.
Accelerating Innovation and Enabling Technology Transfer
IGNITE provides members with direct access to real test environments where new technologies can be validated, integrated, and demonstrated. Companies, researchers, and start-ups work side by side to invent, iterate, and bring their latest solutions to market - shortening the time between breakthrough idea and commercial deployment.
Validation under Real-World Conditions
IGNITE spans complete end-to-end networks - from machine-level connectivity through to edge and cloud integration - so results reflect actual deployment conditions, not lab assumptions.
- End-to-end test environments including Metro, Core, FTTX, TSN, WiFi and Cloud
- Testing under realistic operating and load conditions
- Performance measurements and proof-of-concepts
- Seamless integration of existing and new systems
Advancing Intelligent and Sustainable Optical Networks
IGNITE combines photonics, edge-cloud, AI, and secure data technologies into a single platform - delivering exceptional performance, trustworthy data exchange, and genuine energy efficiency without compromising sustainability.
Efficient Development and Reduced Risk
Shared infrastructure and deep technical expertise allow companies to compress development cycles and surface integration challenges before they become costly problems in the field.
- Access to state-of-the-art test and measurement infrastructure
- Reduced investment and operational costs through shared resources
- Shorter integration and development cycles
- Direct support from experienced research partners
Open Test Infrastructure for Real-World Validation
IGNITE operates neutral test environments co-financed through public funding - providing every member with direct access to validate and demonstrate their technologies without the cost of building dedicated infrastructure. Fair access, clear governance, and transparent operations ensure every participant can contribute and benefit equally.
Collaboration within an Ecosystem
IGNITE connects companies, research institutions, and industry partners to jointly develop technologies, validate them across multiple vendors and domains, and transfer them into real-world applications and new business models.
- Collaboration across projects and use cases
- Testing in multi-vendor and multi-domain environments
- Structured exchange of data, results, and experience
- Co-creation of new applications and business models
Founding ceremony on May 11, 2026
On May 11, 2026, IGNITE e.V. – Intelligent Green Optical Networks Initiative – was officially founded at the Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institute in Berlin.
Joining IGNITE
IGNITE membership gives you direct access to shared test infrastructure, co-development opportunities, interoperability validation, and a collaborative community of industry leaders and researchers. Your membership fee co-funds the platform that benefits everyone.
What Members Do Together
- Joint proof-of-concept development and use-case testing
- Hackathons and co-design sprints
- Interoperability testing and plugfests
- Showcases and standards contributions
Find out how IGNITE membership works, what it costs,
and what it means for your business.
Contact us!
ronald.freund@hhi.fraunhofer.de
juergen.diller@hhi-extern.fraunhofer.de
Core Technologies at a Glance
IGNITE is built on eight interdependent key technology areas that together form the foundation for next-generation intelligent optical networks.
- Optical Network Infrastructures: High-capacity, low-latency fiber infrastructure that forms the physical backbone of every intelligent network.
- Edge-Cloud Computing: Distributed computing brought closer to the data source, enabling real-time processing for latency-critical applications.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI-driven automation, predictive analytics, and self-optimization across all network layers.
- Data Analytics - Continuous analysis of real-time and historical network data to reveal operational insights and drive informed decisions
- Next-Generation Fixed Networks: Advanced wireline technologies, connecting residential and industrial users with unprecedented reliability.
- Network Management Software: SDN-based orchestration and control plane software for automated, flexible network operations.
- Telemetry & Open Interfaces: Standardized, vendor-agnostic data collection and open API integration for full network observability and interoperability.
- Energy-Efficient Network Technologies: Hardware and software architectures designed from the ground up to minimize power consumption without sacrificing performance.
Testbeds & Infrastructure
IGNITE operates a portfolio of shared test environments - from controlled lab settings to Germany-wide field infrastructure - giving every member direct access to real-world validation. By pooling resources across industry, research, and public funding, the cluster provides access to infrastructure that would otherwise require significant standalone investment.
Fraunhofer HHI Lab Infrastructure
Fraunhofer HHI Lab Infrastructure
Proof of Concepts · Software Validation · Prototyping
Access best-in-class high-bandwidth test and measurement equipment. Validate your software or DSP algorithms in a controlled lab environment, and prototype your own hardware and software solutions — supported by highly skilled engineering staff.
Applications: Test & Measurement · DSP Design & PoCs · FPGA-Based Prototyping
Who benefits: Vendors and system integrators run solution tests without building their own lab. SMEs gain access to equipment and expertise that would otherwise be out of reach.
AI-Enabled Multi-Vendor Networking Testbed
AI-Enabled Multi-Vendor Networking Testbed
Playground for Autonomous Networking Solutions
A fully modular IP and Optical Transport Network environment that mirrors real-world deployments. Built for benchmarking network functions and AI algorithms - including digital twins - under commercial, standards-compliant conditions.
Applications: AI algorithm benchmarking · Digital twin experimentation · Federated AI model development for telcos · Privacy-preserving data monetization powered by NOBS and DLFi
Who benefits: Vendors and SMEs test solutions in a lab environment. Operators define their requirements and identify new revenue streams from untapped network data.
Optical Testbed Data Space (OTDS)
Optical Testbed Data Space (OTDS)
Sovereign Data Ecosystem for Open Optical Networks
OTDS enables trusted, policy-enforced data exchange between testbed owners, vendors, and research ecosystems. It supports the development of AI-driven automation and new service models in open, disaggregated networks — while ensuring data sovereignty and IP compliance for every participant.
Applications: Cross-testbed data exchange · Telemetry streaming for predictive maintenance · Network data sharing for AI development
Who benefits: Testbed owners increase utilization and unlock external revenue. Vendors accelerate hardware and software validation. Research institutes validate AI models under diverse operational conditions.
Optical Access Networks for Industrial Communications
Optical Access Networks for Industrial Communications
End-to-End Fiber-to-the-Machine (FTTM) Testing
Digital manufacturing demands deterministic low latency, ultra-high reliability, and a minimal carbon footprint. IGNITE provides an end-to-end testing ground for ICT solutions in industrial environments — from optical access to the edge cloud.
Applications: Industrial Passive Optical Networks (PON) · WiFi & Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) · Edge/Cloud-based virtualized PLC and process validation
Who benefits: Vendors run end-to-end solution tests in an industrial setting. Verticals shorten integration cycles using pre-validated ICT solutions. Test & measurement providers benchmark network KPIs at the technology frontier.
Green Enablement by ICT
Green Enablement by ICT
Carbon Handprint Quantification
Modern ICT solutions actively reduce carbon emissions across industry sectors. IGNITE quantifies this positive impact - the carbon handprint - in line with ITU-T L.1480 and ITU-T L.1333 recommendations, giving vendors, operators, and verticals the evidence they need to make the sustainability case.
Applications
- ITU-T L.1480 carbon handprint quantification studies
- ITU-T L.1333 network carbon efficiency quantification
Who benefits: Vendors showcase the emission-reduction power of their solutions. Operators communicate verified impact to customers. Verticals gain a structured path to reduce their carbon footprint through ICT.