The new 5 million euro project will turn fiber optic cables into active sensors – news and events

Posted on: March 14, 2025

The project of intention and conscious context (icon), an initiative of three years, funded by the European Union Horizon, to a value of about 5 million euros, is led by a team in Connect Research Ireland for Future Networks hosted at Trinity College Dublin.

The icon will transform global communications networks by incorporating innovative detection capacities into terrestrial and fiber infrastructures.

These improvements will allow networks to provide advanced services in areas such as geological monitoring, weather forecast, oceanography and urban mobility. By transforming fiber infrastructures into large detection systems, the icon will also redefine how networks work and evolve over the coming decades.

The project aims to transform fiber optic cables from passive data carriers into active sensors that protect the critical infrastructure. While this technology can support applications such as tsunami detection and climatic monitoring, its main emphasis is on saving telecommunications of accidental damages – such as trail that draw anchors or construction work – as well as deliberate threats.

Dr. Aleksandra Kaszubowska-Dandarath, TrinityProject coordinator, said: “The icon is a daring step forward in the way we conceptualize and implement optical networks. By incorporating detection capacities, we go beyond traditional communication paradigms to develop smarter, more efficient and adaptive systems.

“As the fiber optic cables often run alongside the gas pipes and the electrical lines in the wind parks, this innovation will also help to ensure other essential infrastructures. Given our difficult dependence on telecommunications, it is vital to national security and critical infrastructure protection, we can ensure that these systems are resistant. “

Revolutionizing network capabilities

The last -minute technology of the icon will include:

• Development of a smart detection controller of the modular and extensible icon that presents an intention of intent and a digital network twins.
• Advanced fiber detection solutions to optimize transmission performance and increase energy efficiency.
• Conscious context systems designed to monitor both the internal state of the fiber networks and their surrounding environments.

These progress will allow the creation of networks that not only offer perfect communication, but also as tools for understanding and interaction with the physical world.

The project of the icon unites leading academic and industrial partners from all over Europe, including Adtran Networks (Germany); Friedrich-Alexander-university (Germany); The research and innovation center in Cyprus LTD (Cyprus); University of Technology Brno (Czech Republic); Vpiphotonics GmbH (Germany); Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia); Tampnet ca (Norway); Technical University of Denmark (Denmark); Lumnsei (Ireland).

Professor Dan Kilper, Director Connect at Trinity College Dublin, and Professor Marco Ruffini, main investigator of Connect, are also full contributors to the project.

Professor Kilper He highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, adding: “The icon exemplifies the power of international collaboration, bringing together some of the brightest minds in the academic environment and industry to cope with the challenges that cover the technology, society and the environment.”

Learn more about the icon project at The project site.