July 15 - 18, 2025 in Berlin
Join us for the Summer School on Optical Communication 2025, taking place from July 15 to 18, 2025, in Berlin.
This program offers exclusive insights into the latest developments in optical communication – from fiber-based and optical wireless access networks to transmission technologies, network architectures, and emerging photonic approaches. Learn from internationally renowned experts from research and industry, including Fraunhofer HHI, leading universities, and global technology companies.
What you can look forward to:
- Expert sessions (July 15–18): Talks on fiber transmission, access networks, optical wireless, network planning and control.
- Company visit at Adtran (July 15): Kick off the Summer School with an exclusive onsite visit to Adtran and Adva Network Security – and gain insights into innovative technologies such as optical networking, quantum-safe encryption, and secure network infrastructure.
- Lab visit at Fraunhofer HHI – experience cutting-edge research infrastructure on-site.
Networking & Social Events:
- Get-together on July 16 at Paulaner im Spreebogen
- Gala Dinner on July 17 at Classic Remise Berlin
Catering included: Coffee breaks, snacks, and lunch on all event days.
Whether you’re a master’s student, PhD researcher, or early-career engineer – the Summer School is your opportunity to connect, explore, and gain inspiration for your career in optical communication.
Gallery
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Adtran and Adva Network Security
Hermann-Dorner-Allee 91, 12489 Berlin
Adtran is a leading global provider of networking and communications platforms, software, systems, and services, with a strong focus on broadband access and optical networking. With locations in the United States and Germany, Adtran develops cutting-edge technologies for optical core/metro networks, 50G Passive Optical Networks, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), quantum safe encryption at line speed (Post Quantum Cryptography – PQC), and optical cesium atomic clocks for network synchronization. In this context, Adva Network Security, a dedicated business unit within the company, plays a key role in delivering highly secure connectivity solutions for critical infrastructure.
During the visit, participants will gain insights into design and characterization of photonic and electronic ICs used for high data rate coherent transmission, equipment for Passive Optical Networks (PON), and solutions for secure and high throughput connectivity. The demonstration will provide a practical perspective on advanced optical communication technologies and potential career opportunities in the field.
Agenda:
14:00 Welcome
14:30 Lab Visit and Presentations
- Coherent Transceivers
- Passive Optical Networks
- Network Security including QKD
17:00 Evening Networking Session
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Fraunhofer HHI, CINIQ Center
Salzufer 6, 10587 Berlin
Next-Generation Optical Transmission Technologies
| Time | Session | Topic | Speaker(s) | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00-9:30 | Welcome | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ronald Freund, Prof. Dr. Ioannis Tomkos | Fraunhofer HHI, University of Patras | |
| 9:30-10:30 | Lecture 1 | The Future of Optical Communications | Prof. Dr. Robert Killey | University College London |
| 10:30-11:00 | Coffee break | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Lecture 2 | High speed energy efficient transceivers | Prof. Dr. Ioannis Tomkos | University of Patras |
| 12:00-13:00 | Lecture 3 | Modeling impairments caused by the fiber transmission | Dr. Andre Richter | VPIphotonics |
| 13:00-14:30 | Lunch break | |||
| 14:30-15:30 | Lecture 4 | Advanced optical transmission techniques | Dr. Fred Buchali | Nokia, Germany |
| 15:30-16:30 | Lecture 5 | Submarine communication systems | Dr. Joerg Schwartz | XTERA |
| 16:30-17:00 | Coffee break | |||
| 17:00-18:00 | Lecture 6 | Space division multiplexing systems | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Georg Rademacher | University of Stuttgart |
| 19:30-22:00 | Get together – Paulaner, Spreebogen |
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Fraunhofer HHI, CINIQ Center
Salzufer 6, 10587 Berlin
Optical Access and Emerging Wireless Technologies
| Time | Session | Topic | Speaker(s) | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00-9:30 | Welcome | Prof. Dr. Ioannis Tomkos, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ronald Freund, Dr. Vincent D. (Chuck) Mattera | University of Patras, Fraunhofer HHI, Avalanche Thinking, Inc. | |
| 9:30-10:30 | Lecture 7 | Next generation optical access networks | Dr. Ivan Cano | Huawei Technologies |
| 10:30-11:00 | Coffee break | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Lecture 8 | Signal processing for short reach applications | Dr.-Ing. Annika Dochhan | Kiel University |
| 12:00-13:00 | Lecture 9 | Techniques and instruments used to characterize optical communication systems | Dr. Fabio Pittalà | Keysight, Germany |
| 13:00-14:30 | Lunch break | |||
| 14:30-15:30 | Lecture 10 | Terahertz communication systems and their applications | Dr.-Ing. Robert Elschner | Fraunhofer HHI |
| 15:30-16:30 | Lecture 11 | Optical wireless communication systems and their applications | Dr. – Ing. Christoph Kottke | Fraunhofer HHI |
| 16:30-17:00 | Coffee break | |||
| 17:00-18:00 | Lecture 12 | What is the innovation funnel: from idea to product | Dr.-Ing. Jörg-Peter Elbers | Adtran Networks SE |
| 19:30-22:00 | Gala dinner – Classic Remise Berlin |
Friday, July 18, 2025
Fraunhofer HHI, CINIQ Center
Salzufer 6, 10587 Berlin
Intelligent and Secure Optical Networking
| Time | Session | Topic | Speaker(s) | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00-9:30 | Welcome | |||
| 9:30-10:30 | Lecture 13 | Hands-on quantum key distribution | Dr. Andy Schreier | Fraunhofer HHI |
| 10:30-11:00 | Coffee break | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Lecture 14 | Top-Down Optical Network Planning for 6G: From Access to Scalable Core Infrastructures | Dr. Farhad Arpanaei | Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) |
| 12:00-13:00 | Lecture 15 | AI for Automation of Optical Networks | Dr. Behnam Shariati | Fraunhofer HHI |
| 13:00-14:30 | Lunch break | |||
| 14:30-15:00 | Fraunhofer HHI Lab-Visits | Hybrid PICs Characterization and Photonic Assembly Labs | ||
| 15:00-15:30 | Fraunhofer HHI Lab-Visits | THz Communication Lab | ||
| 15:30-16:00 | Fraunhofer HHI Lab-Visits | Free-space and Fiber-based QKD Lab |
Lab Visits at Fraunhofer HHI
Visit the laboratories of selected research groups at Fraunhofer HHI and gain insights into current work on photonic integration, THz communication, quantum, and 5G technologies.
More information about the research groups with their labs here:
Networking & Social Events
Day 1: Get-Together
Paulaner im Spreebogen
We warmly invite all Summer School participants to a relaxed Get-Together at Paulaner im Spreebogen. Located in the heart of Berlin right by the river Spree, this traditional Bavarian restaurant offers the perfect setting to enjoy hearty specialties, freshly tapped Paulaner beer, and great company.
Look forward to a casual dinner in a rustic yet elegant atmosphere – with plenty of opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and toast to an inspiring time full of new experiences.
Paulaner im Spreebogen
Alt-Moabit 98, 10559 Berlin
Day 2: Gala Dinner
Classic Remise Berlin
Participants are invited to a special Gala Dinner at the Classic Remise Berlin.
This unique venue, a beautifully restored historic tram depot, provides a remarkable setting for networking and exchanging ideas.
Surrounded by classic cars and impressive industrial architecture, guests will enjoy an evening of inspiring conversations, new connections, and culinary highlights in an unforgettable atmosphere.
Classic Remise Berlin
Wiebestrasse 36 – 37, 10553 Berlin
