BT Labs Research Articles

Performance Analysis on Co-Existence of COW-QKD and Classical DWDM Channels Transmission in UK National Quantum Networks

To analyse and evaluate the physical layer performance of a UK national quantum network (UKQNtel) utilising COW-QKD, in O band, integrated with 500 Gb/s encrypted data, in C band, over 121 km between BT Labs and the University of Cambridge, a theoretical model encompassing COW-QKD and Raman scattering noise is developed and fitted with real-world experimental data. Different physical mechanisms underpinning the link performance are identified and discussed. The model developed in this work also provides a preliminary technical guidance for future UKQNtel upgrade and expansion, as well as potentially useful insights for quantum-secured networks design prior to practical deployment.

An instrumentation and analytics framework for optimal and robust NFV deployment

This article details a novel approach to the fine-tuning of carrier-grade virtualized network function deployments for both performance optimization and diagnostic purposes, using embedded instrumentation with an analytics framework. The work presented in this article is the output of a co-lab established between BT and Intel Labs Europe to investigate network-function-virtualization-related problems faced by traditional telecom operators. Results from comprehensive testing of virtual CDN and WAN acceleration use cases are presented. These results led to the development of a number of insights that will help network operators optimize the deployment of NFV on standard high volume servers. Significantly, it was found that the default configuration for some use cases resulted in suboptimal resource allocation and consumption. Consequently, opportunities exist for carriers to fine-tune their NFV deployments from both the technical and economic perspectives using approaches such as embedded instrumentation.

A model-based approach to trust, security and assurance

BT and HP research labs have been studying the use of modelling as a way to make managing the security of complex ICT systems tractable. From among the wide range of security management problems, this paper focuses on assurance, i.e. demonstrating that risks are appropriately managed. Recent regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley make effective levels of assurance mandatory, so the subject is highly topical. This paper describes some of the results from the BT and HP research programmes in the context of ICT services. The approaches are highly complementary and potential benefits accrue from applying them in combination. The paper ends with a discussion of the challenges of assurance in collaborative business contexts and how the modelling techniques can be extended to address them.

Managers at Work: Knowledge Management at BT Labs

(2000). Managers at Work: Knowledge Management at BT Labs. Research-Technology Management: Vol. 43, No. 3, pp. 12-17.

Effective Use of GSM for Accurate Positioning

Cellnet/British Telecom (BT) has been active in the area of GPS/GSM location and application research for over five years. Cellnet/BT have undertaken considerable development and field trials of various GSM methods for location positioning, which have resulted in several patent registrations. Recent R&D projects undertaken by the Mobility engineering team at BT Labs. include MOSA (Mobile Social Alarm) and City Guide using GPS positioning data to deliver value-added applications and services for both the general public and business users. A critical factor to the successful development of innovative value-added services is co-operation with partners, to promote and evolve open standards for GSM location.

Tactile display of virtual reality from the World Wide Web—a potential access method for blind people

Work in progress at BT Labs to investigate the use of a haptic display as a component of an emerging de facto standard (VRML) for the display of three-dimensional images on the WWW is reported. Use of a simple haptic interface to provide access to three-dimensional virtual images is discussed. This is based on experience of developing a browser capable of driving a force-feedback probe from a VRML file.

Intelligent electronic mock-up for concurrent design

As part of a European collaborative research project, which aims at identifying the advanced communications requirements to support concurrent engineering design, an Intelligent Mismatch Control System (IMCS) was developed to automatically identify mismatches of geometric nature during the integration phase of a distributed collaborative design process. The IMCS is acknowledge-based software module which uses a commercial CAD system (Parasolid), as the core geometric modeller, to detect any potential geometric irregularities in the design and suggest a modification proposal to modify them. The system was recently demonstrated across a European broadband telecommunications network which linked four sites: Aerospatiale-Cannes (France); ONERA-Paris (France); BT Labs (UK) and Cranfield University (UK). The IMCS was invoked remotely (from Paris) using a mullet-agent approach. The demonstration was attended by a wide cross-section of potential users from the European Aerospace industry, and initial feedbacks suggest that the IMCS was well received as a powerful tool that will have an important contribution to the success of distributed design using advanced communication systems.

A review of recent system demonstrations incorporating 1.3-μm praseodymium-doped fluoride fiber amplifiers

This paper provides a review of recent system demonstrations incorporating 1.3-/spl mu/m praseodymium doped fluoride fiber amplifiers (PDFFA's), following a brief historical perspective on the amplifiers development, the analogue and digital systems experiments, which have been conducted to date incorporating these new amplifiers, are described. Beyond this review material recent systems experiments conducted at BT Labs are also described. These experiments investigate the application of high performance PDFFA's to both, analogue, FM-SCM transmission, and high-speed (5 and 10 Gb/s), digital transmission systems. The results of a recent 10-Gb/s field transmission experiment are also presented. This paper also provides a perspective on the potential significance of 1.3-amplifiers to both long-haul point-to-point transmission systems and to optical fiber access networks based on passive optical network structures. >