The theme for WOCC-2001 is: Enabling Technologies for Broadband Access Networks. Last year we witnessed unprecedented development in both wireless and optical networks. For wireless communications, the number of mobile subscribers worldwide exceeded one billion. The so-called 2G+ wireless systems received broad acceptance in spite of its limited data rate. Wireless local access systems of both BlueTooth and IEEE 802.11 standards were readied for deployment. For optical communications, DWDM terabit systems for long-haul backbone and metro access systems for both business and residential uses were deployed in large scale. These events set new trends in the communications industry for years to come. However, to sustain these trends, to enable massive deployment of the new systems, and to develop future generation systems at an accelerating pace, critical technologies must be developed first.
For example, the growth in the number of wireless subscribers and wireless data are already taxing the capacity of current 2G wireless networks. To relieve the capacity pressure, 3G systems such as W-CDMA that is capable of broader bandwidths are required. In addition, 3G systems will have to support integrated voice/data networking, advanced speech/data compression in order to enable new applications. Other enabling technologies such as portal, security, profiling, transcoding, location and presence will help achieve a complete personalized mobile experience. For even broader bandwidths, 4G wireless technologies such as OFDM are currently being developed. Other technologies such as adaptive intelligent antenna, software radio, and space-time diversity are also being investigated. For low-cost wireless local access, system-on-chip technology needs to include not only digital and analog functions, but also radio front ends.
Ultra-long haul (>4,000 km) optical networks are enabled by distributed Raman amplification and advanced error- correcting IC technology. For both long haul and metro accesses, all-optical networks are only possible with the introduction of optical crossconnect and sophisticated routing protocol to provide end-to-end wavelength provision services. As the number of wavelength explodes and network scalability becomes severe, all-optical regeneration and wavelength conversion will become the technologies of necessity.
We also see the growing faith in ?P over WDM?where IP traffic directly rides over the photonic channel, bypassing the entire ATM/SONET layer. A similar marriage of wireless and IP will be facilitated by connecting the base stations directly to the IP network. Moreover, Internet-enabled pervasive devices start to trickle into daily life which include personal digital assistants, WAP phones, e-books, and intelligent appliances.
In this conference, we invite engineers, scientists and business leaders from the United States and Asia-Pacific Regions to present their views on emerging technologies, to exchange information about the communications industry in general, and to network with each other on the personal level. In addition, this conference also serves as a forum to explore business opportunities on the global scale.