European research centre of Network intelliGence for INnovation Enhancement
This project is partially funded by the European Commission under the
7th Framework Programme, Coordination and Support Action, Grant
Agreement no. 316097
Twinning Activities Report
1. Personal Information:
Mr./Ms. Krzysztof Walkowiak, faculty member of Wroclaw University of Technology visited
(name of sending institution, country)
in the period from 04.02.2014 to 13.02.2014 in Politecnico di Milano, Department of
Electronics and Information, Milan, Italy
(name of the visited institution, country)
order to carry out research and training activities in the field of computer network
optimization.
(give the area)
2.
Information about Seminar
The seminar presentation was organized on 07.02.2014
the date
It was entitled:
Optimization of Cloud-Ready and Content-Oriented Elastic Optical Networks
3.
Description of scientific activity in details
(Please describe value added to the ENGINE project i.e. new knowledge, new skills with respect to the
objectives of the project, the assigned common area of future cooperation with the partner, plans for
common research, projects, publications and how it could be used in the scope of ENGINE)
During my stay in Politecnico di Milano during many talks and discussions many talks and
discussions with prof Tornatore and other members of Broadband Optical Networks, Security
& Advanced Internet Lab (Bonsai Group) including Prof. Prof. Achille Pattavina, Prof. Guido
Maier, Prof. Giacomo Verticale, Cristina Rottondi, I learned a new knowledge related to:
 Optimization of computer networks, with a special focus on elastic optical networks.
 Research projects currently realized in the Broadband Optical Networks, Security &
Advanced Internet Lab (Bonsai Group).
 Scientific conferences organized and supported by Broadband Optical Networks,
Security & Advanced Internet Lab (Bonsai Group).
 Academic system in Italy including activates like research and teaching.
 Organization of PhD studies in Politecnico di Milano.
 Information referring to the intellectual property in Italy.
 Cooperation between universities and SME in Italy.
The main topic of the talks and discussions was optimization of elastic optical networks.
Concurrently, optical fiber networks play an important role in communications networks since
they provide an infrastructure for the transport of aggregated IP traffic. During the past couple
of years, the research in optical networking has experienced significant advances, which
among others have been governed by developments of spectrally‐efficient modulation
techniques and new functional optical components. It is broadly expected that with the advent
of new networking capabilities and demanding network services the evolution of transport
networks will lead towards mixed-line-rate (MLR) and elastic/flexible optical network (EON)
architectures. As a consequence, the next generation optical transport networks will utilize
ENGINE Centre, Wrocław University of Technology
Wyb. Wyspiańskiego 27, building A1, room 203k
50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Tel. +48 71 320 3453
-1-
European research centre of Network intelliGence for INnovation Enhancement
This project is partially funded by the European Commission under the
7th Framework Programme, Coordination and Support Action, Grant
Agreement no. 316097
network resources more efficiently and, at the same time, they will provide network
connectivity adaptively and according to bandwidth demands.
Nowadays optical communication networks are limited to the WDM transmission systems,
which operate within rigid/fixed frequency grids and with single line rate (SLR) transponders
making use of single-carrier modulation techniques. The main drawbacks of current systems
are their low spectral efficiency, lack of adaptability to heterogeneous bandwidth demands,
and low optical path (lightpath) scalability in terms of carried bit-rate. Taking into account these
arguments, the needs of emerging network services, and accounting for recent advances in
optical networking, it is expected that optical transport networks will evolve towards more
flexible and functional architectures. The nowadays foreseen evolution path of optical
transport networks comprises:
 the application of advanced modulation formats, such as Phase-Shift Keying (PSK)
and Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), in MLR networks, allowing for 100Gbps
connection provisioning;
 the elastic access to optical spectrum resources within flexible frequency grids,
enabling further bandwidth scalability;
 the use of multi-carrier modulation techniques such as Optical Orthogonal Frequency
Division Multiplexing (O‐ OFDM), allowing for highly-granular and elastic bandwidth
provisioning by means of splitting of a high-rate data-stream into a number of low-rate
data-streams that are transmitted simultaneously over a number of subcarriers.
Eventually, each of the above components will bring the improvement in spectral efficiency.
The concept of EON, proposed initially in as a SLICE architecture, is a novel and very
promising solution for next generation optical networks. The main innovation of EON with
respect to conventional WSON is the provisioning of sub-wavelength granularity for low-rate
transmission and super-channel connectivity for accommodating ultra-high capacity client
signals within a common network. The EON allows to allocate flexibly appropriate-sized optical
bandwidth, by means of contiguous concatenation of optical spectrum, to an end-to-end
lightpath and according to traffic demand.
Two components are essential for EON architectures, namely, bandwidth-variable
transponders (BV-Ts) and bandwidth variable wavelength cross-connects (BV-WXCs). The
role of BVT is to adapt the client data signal to be sent to/received from the optical network
with just enough frequency resources. Concurrently, BV-WXCs allow to create an optical
routing path through the network by switching transmitted signals within their frequency
bandwidth to appropriate switch output ports.
EON architectures are considered as one of technological pillars for building effective and
cost-efficient cloud- and anycast-ready transport networks due to their elastic and on-demand
bandwidth connectivity, which are essential for the new service context. Indeed, the use of
advanced modulation formats and techniques in software-defined BV-Ts and the operation
within flexible frequency grids allows for adaptive bandwidth provisioning in response to
dynamic traffic variations - resulting from virtualization and anycasting - in both time and
geographical domains. Apart from that, the adaptation of modulation levels according to
transmission path characteristics may bring significant savings in terms of spectrum utilization.
Since the transmission on shorter paths can be performed with higher modulation levels, thus
requiring less spectrum, the aggregated anycast traffic may be directed towards nearer data
centers thus allocating less spectrum resources to lightpath connections. Also, high bandwidth
scalability of EON technologies meets the requirements of ever growing traffic demands.
ENGINE Centre, Wrocław University of Technology
Wyb. Wyspiańskiego 27, building A1, room 203k
50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Tel. +48 71 320 3453
-2-
European research centre of Network intelliGence for INnovation Enhancement
This project is partially funded by the European Commission under the
7th Framework Programme, Coordination and Support Action, Grant
Agreement no. 316097
A challenging problem that emerges in the design and operation of EONs is the problem of
routing and spectrum assignment/allocation (RSA). RSA concerns the problem of finding free
spectrum resources on a routing path to establish a lightpath. Elastic optical networks allow
also to apply multiple modulation formats to transmitted signals in accordance to optical path
characteristics (e.g., the transmission distance). Whenever the choice of modulation format
(level) plays a role, the RSA problem is transformed to a Routing, Modulation and Spectrum
Allocation (RMSA) problem. Since the RSA problem is NP-hard, the RMSA problem is also
NP-hard. There are many different algorithms dedicated to solve the RMSA problem in the
literature, among others, based on ILP formulations and heuristic algorithms. The methods
based on ILP solve only relatively small problem instances in reasonable time. For larger
problem instances, either heuristic or, usually more efficient, metaheuristic algorithms have to
be applied.
Therefore, we decided with Prof. Tornatore to start a common research on the topic of
optimization of elastic optical network for new cloud computing and content-oriented services.
According to our experience and literature review, the first topic to work on is multipath routing
in elastic optical network with anycast traffic.
Moreover, we discussed other topics related to optimization of elastic optical networks
including: multicast sessions, comparison of elastic optical networks against WDM networks,
physical impairments in elastic optical networks, ILP modeling of elastic optical networks,
software defined networks for elastic optical networks.
It should be underlined that Prof Tornatore besides working in Politecnico di Milano works also
as an Associate Professor in the Computer Science Department at the University of California,
Davis in the group of prof Mukherjee – one of the world top researchers in the field of optical
networks. One of the results of my visit in Politecnico di Milano is that I received from prof
Tornatore an invitation to participate in post-OFC workshop at UCDavis
(http://networks.cs.ucdavis.edu/postofc2014.html). The OFC (Optical Fiber Communication)
Conference is indisputably the world's leading global conference and exposition for optical
communications and networking professionals. The post-OFC workshop at UCDavis over the
years has been a great platform for exchanging new research ideas. Since I will present a
paper at OFC 2014 I positively replied to the invitation to participate in post-OFC workshop.
I believe that my stay in Politecnico di Milano will start a long term collaboration with prof
Tornatore that will trigger transfer of know-how and expertise and also create of the network of
contacts – for instance my participation in post-OFC workshop will let me to meet the top class
researchers in optical networks. The first short term goal is to work on the topic of multipath
routing in elastic optical network with anycast traffic and next write a common publication on
the topic of elastic optical network.
4.
Information referring to the intellectual property: the generally binding low in this area in the visited
country and procedures of patenting;
Italy adopted the European legislation on trade marks through the Industrial Property Code.
Industrial Property Code includes and harmonizes the Italian, EU and international legislation
governing trade marks, invention patents, models and designs.(Legislative Decree No 131 of
13 August 2010 - Amendments to the Legislative Decree No 30 of 10 February 2005 , laying
ENGINE Centre, Wrocław University of Technology
Wyb. Wyspiańskiego 27, building A1, room 203k
50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Tel. +48 71 320 3453
-3-
European research centre of Network intelliGence for INnovation Enhancement
This project is partially funded by the European Commission under the
7th Framework Programme, Coordination and Support Action, Grant
Agreement no. 316097
down the code of industrial property, in accordance with Article 19 of Law No 99 of 23 July
2009).
Intellectual Property Rights
A trade mark is a distinctive name, symbol, motto, design or other device associated with a
product or service, designed to identify the specific company and identifying the specific
company which supplied it. The de facto trade mark is distinguished from the registered trade
mark, which benefits from greater protection. Registration lasts ten years from the date that
the request is made, unless ownership is renounced, and when expired, can be renewed for
another ten years each time. For the registration to be successful, the trade mark must be
original, unless it was registered in a foreign state, with the exception of well-known brands or
in the case where the registration is done in bad faith. The de facto trade mark (not registered)
is subject to all the risks that would arise from any same registration by others.
A patent is, on the other hand, an exclusive right, granted by the government, that authorizes
the business owner to make use of an invention for a specific period of time, allowing him to
benefit from the commercial advantages that may derive from it.
Trademarks and patents - Italian Chambers of Commerce Portal italiano
First of all, we distinguish between the patent for inventions, regarding a new creation
(duration: 20 years), from the patent for utility models, which is an improvement on an existing
creation (duration 10 years). The protection guaranteed by the patent can be requested only
for the national territory (national patent) or for the majority of countries around the world
(international patent). With regards to the EU, on the 11 December 2012, the European
Parliament approved the regulation that as from 2014 the Community Patent will be
introduced.
The industrial models differ between:
 Utility models: applicable to machines, tools, equipment or other existing objects;
 Designs and models: distinctive signs that contribute to the identification of a certain
type of product.
This type of patent lasts 10 years from when the application form was submitted. For design
models, the duration is five years and can be extended for another five years, up to a
maximum of 25 years.
The Community trade marks are valid throughout the territory of the EU (consisting of 27
current Member States and the countries that will join in future). Registration is valid for 10
years and can be renewed.
Organisations and associations wishing to guarantee the origin, nature or quality of a specific
product may obtain patents for trade marks of the individual type or the collective type. These
organisations may then allow their own or associated producers or traders members of the
organization or association, the use of the patent.
Copyright
Copyright is the exclusive original right to distribute and use intellectual property. Italian law
protects all intellectual properties related to literary works, theatre, visual arts, architecture,
cinema and science, acknowledging the author a number of economic and moral rights.
Protection is automatic and no formalities (filing or registration) are required from the author.
ENGINE Centre, Wrocław University of Technology
Wyb. Wyspiańskiego 27, building A1, room 203k
50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Tel. +48 71 320 3453
-4-
European research centre of Network intelliGence for INnovation Enhancement
This project is partially funded by the European Commission under the
7th Framework Programme, Coordination and Support Action, Grant
Agreement no. 316097
In Italy, patents, and trademarks are the responsibility of the Italian Patent and Trademark
Office, established at the Chamber of Commerce of each province.
The World Intellectual Property Organisation (World Intellectual Property Organisation-WIPO)
is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes and protects intellectual property
around the world.
Trade marks
The holders of a national trade mark can extend protection to countries in or outside of Europe
which adhere to two international agreements (Madrid Agreement and Protocol Relating to the
Madrid Agreement) by sending a request for an international trade mark to the headquarters of
the WIPO in Geneva.
Copyright
At international level, copyright is protected by the Berne Convention, which has been signed
by around one hundred countries. Works belonging to one of the countries taking part in the
Convention enjoy the same rights in other countries as the law grants to their own citizens.
Combating counterfeiting and piracy
In 2004 Italy introduced the Helpdesk for protecting intellectual property (IPR Desk). These are
offices staffed with civil servants (located in ICE offices in 10 countries) with experience in
intellectual property-related matters who have the task of monitoring the market and provide
information on the industrial property system and on its operation in the country of
competence.
Administrative procedures - Registration of trademarks and patents
To register a trademark it is necessary to submit an appropriate application to the local
Chamber of Commerce or send it to the Italian Patent and Trademark Office, based in Rome,
by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt. If a digital signature is available, the
application can be submitted online through the "Telemaco" service.
Inventors may extend the intellectual property rights of a trade mark to the whole of the
European Union, through the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market of the EU (OHIM)
To extend an Italian trade mark to non-European countries, you need to submit an
international application to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), based in
Geneva, who will then forward the relevant applications to non-European countries.
The European Patent Office is the institution responsible for granting the European patent,
after reviewing the various proposals for a patent. In addition, the EPO shall establish
research reports, intended to assess the patentability of an invention.
The local Chamber of Commerce assists companies in administrative procedures necessary
for the registration of trademarks and patents. The full list of local offices can be found on the
Chamber of Commerce website. SOLVIT helps businesses deal with problems that arise when
national authorities wrongly apply EU market rules.
More information can be found at http://europa.eu/youreurope/business/start-grow/intellectualproperty-rights/index_en.htm#italy_en_protecting-intellectual-property
ENGINE Centre, Wrocław University of Technology
Wyb. Wyspiańskiego 27, building A1, room 203k
50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Tel. +48 71 320 3453
-5-
European research centre of Network intelliGence for INnovation Enhancement
This project is partially funded by the European Commission under the
7th Framework Programme, Coordination and Support Action, Grant
Agreement no. 316097
5.
Description of the procedure of cooperation between universities and SME in visited country: how it is
organized, the sources of funding, the opinions about drawbacks and strengths of existing solution.
In Politecnico di Milano, the main institution responsible for cooperation between universities
and SME is Fondazione Politecnico di Milano.
Set up by the Politecnico di Milano in 2003, the Fondazione Politecnico di Milano was
established by major companies and local authorities to promote and create systematic
collaborations between the university departments, companies and public administrations, in
order to exploit the results of the research and contribute to the creation of entrepreneurial
innovations.
The Foundation activates projects, reports and resources to:
• exploit the university’s know-how for meeting the innovation needs of partners in the public
and private sector;
• build permanent or temporary networks between large, medium and small businesses,
associations and research facilities;
• identify opportunities for supporting innovation offered by public and private markets, and
organises participation in regional, national, European and international tenders.
The natural complement to these efforts includes training programmes for updating the skills
of workers and professionals. Through POLIHUB, Startup District&Incubator, the business
incubator unit, the Foundation helps young people to transform their ideas and projects into
products or services, to build business models and to locate funding for creating innovative,
technology-oriented businesses thanks to a modern co-working, co-location and
crosspollination enviroment.
With the awareness that in a global world the challenge can be won with internationalisation,
the Foundation has initiated an action plan to promote innovative companies abroad and to
strengthen international partnerships in applied research.
Thanks to the experiences and achieved results, the Foundation’s efforts have become more
coherent with the objectives of the European Community, with the choices made by our
country and with international development trends. This choice has made our endeavours
more effective for fostering the development of small and medium-sized companies, which
represent the vast majority in our economic system, their internationalisation, the collaboration
with large corporations, which remain a pivotal point for research, to support the modernisation
of the public administration.
The Foundation’s commitment is reflected in various significant thematic areas:
• energy, transportation and networks: infrastructures indispensible to a country’s growth;
• technologies, design and materials: the tools for improving the quality of peoples’ lives, the
environment that surrounds us and the goods produced;
• public administration: the innovation necessary for simplifying the lives of citizens and
businesses;
• inclusive cities and societies: the indispensable and responsible relationships in a global
world;
• training and talent for innovative companies: the key to development in a competition
increasingly based on human capital.
The Foundation is a credible and effective partner for Politecnico di Milano’s departments,
identifying funding opportunities and building networks of national and international
relationships in order to participate in various tenders. For businesses and public
administrations, the Foundation identifies their needs for innovation and finds the
representatives in the scientific world able to satisfy them.
ENGINE Centre, Wrocław University of Technology
Wyb. Wyspiańskiego 27, building A1, room 203k
50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Tel. +48 71 320 3453
-6-
European research centre of Network intelliGence for INnovation Enhancement
This project is partially funded by the European Commission under the
7th Framework Programme, Coordination and Support Action, Grant
Agreement no. 316097
Since 2003, the Foundation has built a complex network of relationships, involving more than
1,200 subjects, making collaboration and corporation the strengths of its projects. In the threeyear period between 2009-2011 the Foundation has created 192 projects and launched 702
collaborations, with:
• 371 small and medium-sized companies;
• 67 large companies;
• 37 public administrations;
• 227 other subjects and organisations.
In this unquestionably difficult economy, the Foundation has managed to obtain three-year
funding of 89 million of Euro, making it possible to carry out projects with a total value of 187
million of Euro. In the three-year period between 2009-2011 the Politecnico di Milano business
incubator, managed by Fondazione Politecnico di Milano, has examined more than 600 startups projects, developed 80 start-ups projects giving birth to 16 new start-ups, and got start-up
revenues for 24 million of Euro. Our markets: information technology (35%); digital (15%);
medical devices (13%). Since 2001, 64 high-tech start-ups have been incubated, generating
revenues for 69 million of Euro and 600 new jobs.
The employees of Politecnico di Milano I talked with about topics related to cooperation
between universities and SME underlined the following drawbacks of the existing solutions:
 Huge bureaucracy that significantly influences all elements of cooperation between
universities and SME.
 Large costs of starting a new company (e.g., startup) in Italy discourage many
scientist and researchers from thinking of starting new business.
 Lack of incentives for scientists and researchers to commercialize ideas developed at
the research work.
6.
to
Scientific Coordinator halina.kwasnicka@pwr.wroc.pl, and to the Project Office
engine@pwr.wroc.pl
In this report please respond to the points 1-5 for outgoing visit and points 1-3 for
incoming visit.
Please send this report , a program of the visit and the seminar presentation in electronic version
ENGINE Centre, Wrocław University of Technology
Wyb. Wyspiańskiego 27, building A1, room 203k
50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Tel. +48 71 320 3453
-7-