CESNET Experts to Receive a Research Award from the Education Minister for the Development of a Unique Optical Fibre Amplifier Today

The research award of the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports will be given this afternoon to Ing. Jan Radil, PhD., and Ing. Josef Vojtěch, employees of the CESNET association, together with Ing. Miroslav Karásek, DrSc., from the Institute of Photonics and Electronics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. The award is granted for utilization of optical fibre amplifiers in the Czech national education and research network. The project was nominated for the award by Ing. Vlastimil Matějec, CSc., director of the Institute of Photonics and Electronics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. The ceremony is scheduled for 3 PM in the premises of the large mirror hall of the Ministry (Karmelitská 8, Prague 1 – Malá Strana).

Ing. Miroslav Karásek, DrSc., Ing. Jan Radil, PhD., and Ing. Josef Vojtěch have developed a unique optical amplifier modular kit – CzechLight Amplifier (CLA) – eliminating drawbacks of active opto-electrical elements employed in optical transfer networks, such as optical fibre amplifiers or Raman amplifiers. There are currently two main forms of these elements used. The elements are either integrated in commercial transmission systems or available as laboratory equipment, which is why they are very difficult to deploy in network applications. Such limitations mean an obstacle especially when developing research and experimental networks. With its software and hardware modularity, CLA allows assembling devices that are highly reliable and thus suitable for operation deployment. In addition, such devices offer a high degree of upgradability and variability. A crucial extension in terms of remote administration has been achieved by providing the option to employ wireless technologies – GSM, Wi-Fi or BlueTooth. Another useful feature of CLA is the open software the device uses; Linux is installed as the operating system of the monitoring PC.

Several international CESNET partners have indicated their interest in CLA devices. The association therefore signed a contract with two companies that started producing the optical amplifiers both for needs of CESNET and other entities from the academic and commercial sector. The first CLA amplifier manufactured outside CESNET has been fitted in the Prague–Ústí nad Labem line in the CESNET2 network. This domestic line has been designed for transmission of up to eight DWDM 10GE channels and is intended both for the regular IP traffic and as a part of the newly developed network implemented for needs of medical applications. CESNET has also analysed and designed interconnection of three hospitals - Central Military Hospital (Ústřední vojenská nemocnice), Motol University Hospital (Fakultní nemocnice Motol) and Masaryk Hospital (Masarykova nemocnice) in Ústí nad Labem - employing CLA devices again. More CLA amplifier applications are under preparation in the Czech Republic and abroad.

The CESNET association has been founded by universities and the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. The association is currently financed mainly from the resources of the governmental Committee for Research and Education and the resources of the members of the association. The association deals with the research and development of information and communication technologies, building and developing the national gigabit optical network, CESNET2, designed for research and educational purposes. With its research activities and accomplishments, the CESNET association can represent the Czech Republic in the pan-European GÉANT2 network construction project as well as other international projects.