Hack your Research! @ ECOC 2025
By Vincent
Event Date: Tuesday, 30 September 2025, 5:30pm – 7:30pm CEST
Event Location: B5 M1-4, Bella Center Copenhagen, Denmark
Link: ecoc2025.org/special-events
Organizers:
Besma Kalla, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands
Giammarco Di Sciullo, Università degli Studi dell’Aquila, Italy
Vincent van Vliet, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands
Rekha Yadav, University College London, United Kingdom
Amol Delmade, Pilot Photonics, Ireland
Advisory Committee:
Nicolas Fontaine, Nokia Bell Labs, USA
Roland Ryf, Nokia Bell Labs, USA
Jochen Schroeder, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
Marco Eppenberger, PsiQuantum, USA
Menno van den Hout, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands
Demos:
Full Life-cycle Photonic Design Automation with PhotonForge
by Lucas Gabrielli, Flexcompute Inc., USA
This demo will show how to integrate the full design cycle of integrated photonics with the help of PhotonForge. We will present workflow examples for both layout- and schematic-driven design strategies, covering both passive and active photonics by leveraging a number of GPU-based solvers in multiphysics analysis. We complete the design cycle with fabrication-aware layout generation and integration of measurement data back into the platform.
Plug, Play, and Provision: Optical Networks with ETSI TeraFlowSDN controller
by Lluis Gifre, CTTC, Spain
This demonstration presents the ETSI TeraFlowSDN controller to manage optical transport networks and automate the control of ROADMs and Transponders. The demo leverages emulated agents that mimic the behavior of optical devices, allowing experimentation without requiring specialized hardware. TeraFlowSDN is an open-source, cloud-native, and microservice-based SDN controller developed mainly in Python and hosted under the umbrella of ETSI. Many European and international research projects are nowadays relying on TeraFlowSDN, and new contributors are welcome to join. This demo has been developed in the context of FLEX-SCALE (GA 101096909) and PROTEUS-6G (GA 101139134) projects.
GPU Acceleration of MATLAB and Python Code for Dummies
by Kadir Gümüş , Eindhoven University of Technology , Netherlands
In this demo I will show some simple ways to improve the speed of your MATLAB/Python codes using GPUs. We will go over the very basics, which will be enough to speed up your research.
OptiCommPy: Open-source Simulation of Fiber Optic Communications with Python
by Edson Porto da Silva, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Brazil
OptiCommPy is an open-source Python package for simulating fiber-optic communication systems and subsystems. Freely accessible, it provides researchers, students, and engineers with a flexible platform to model various physical-layer aspects of optical communication systems. The package also integrates a range of digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms that are particularly relevant for coherent optical systems. In this demo, we will present the main features of OptiCommPy, demonstrating how to parameterize and run simulations at different levels of complexity. In addition, we will show how GPU acceleration can be used to significantly speed up simulations involving nonlinear models of signal propagation in optical fibers.
Introducing GNPy as Open-Source Dataset Generation for Machine Learning in Optical Networks
by Renato Ambrosone, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
This presentation introduces GNPy as an open-source tool for simulating optical network performance, showcasing a use case where GNPy is used to generate datasets for machine learning model training. We will explore the benefits of leveraging GNPy to create realistic data for transmission quality prediction and network optimization.
Characterization of Atmospheric Turbulence in FSO Links
by Doug McDonald, Fraunhofer Institute (IOSB), Germany
We present tools for characterizing and quantifying the strength of atmospheric turbulence present in a free-space optical link. The tools use recorded image sequences of a received, focused laser spot to determine quantities such as: the transverse coherence length (Fried parameter), aperture-averaged scintillation index, and Strehl ratio.
Interactive Data Visualizations with Plotly Dash
by Konstantinos Alexoudis, Adtran Networks SE and TU/e, Netherlands
Are you tired of static plots in Jupyter Notebooks? Frustrated that your data exploration lacks interactivity? This demonstration briefly introduces Plotly Dash to quickly develop interactive dashboards. Discover how to build dynamic interfaces with intuitive controls and responsive layouts that transform your data analysis into a more engaging and flexible experience.
Building your personal knowledge base
by Jan Krause, Fraunhofer HHI, Berlin, Germany
I will talk about and show how the combination of the programs Zotero and Obsidian can be used to build a personal knowledge base. I will address some examples of how I use these tools during my day-to-day life, but also about the possibilities for adjusting these tools to meet the individual needs of others.
Using JAX to crunch numbers fast
by Mindaugas Jarmolovičius, University College London, UK
Have you ever wanted to run a simulation, but it will take 40 days to finish and ECOC deadline is in the week? Worry not! This hack demo will show the nice goodies that python JAX framework ecosystem has to offer and how your slow code can be turned into a research paper.
SP-OSA: Spectral Measurements Beyond –100 dBm
by Francesco Sirovich, DTU Electro, Denmark
Conventional Optical Spectrum Analyzers struggle below the –85/–90 dBm range. The SP-OSA pushes the limits beyond –100 dBm, opening new frontiers in measurement. The entire measurement process , from sweep range to number of step and resolution, can now be automated and controlled through Python. Moreover, instead of relying on a time-tagger for photon counting, we implemented a low-cost ESP32 microcontroller, achieving the same functionality at a fraction of the cost. In our live demo, we will present spectra that remain completely invisible to standard instruments, showing how this technology bridges the gap between classical and the quantum regime.
Innovative Optoelectronic Testing and Control Solutions
by Amol Delmade, Dublin, Ireland
Pilot Photonics will demonstrate an in-house multichannel electronics source controlled by a Raspberry Pi and Python interface. The use of easily available electronics components and open source interfaces facilitates very efficient testing and control of optoelectronic devices. These tools can be used in research labs to expedite the control and testing of Photonic Integrated Circuits before building advanced prototypes.
Design your own automated polarization controllers
by Iñaki Beraza, DTU, Denmark
Polarization controllers don’t always come in the size you want, and for some sizes, automated versions simply don’t exist. So we hacked our research: a smart design, 3D-printed and adapted until it fit our needs. It also turned out way cheaper than the few commercial options out there. Come by, try out the software, play with the controller, and get insights about 3D printing process.
GDSFactory: Open-Source EDA for Accelerating Photonics, Quantum, MEMS, and RF Chip Design
by Joaquin Matres, Troy Tamas and Floris Laporte, DoPlayDo Inc., USA
The design of advanced chips‚ especially in photonics, quantum, MEMS, and RF, faces critical challenges due to rigid, outdated EDA tools. Many teams resort to custom Python, C, or MATLAB solutions, which offer flexibility but lack scalability. To bridge this gap, we created GDSFactory, an open-source, python-based Analog Electronic Design Automation software that has been downloaded over 3 million times and adopted by companies, universities, and research organizations worldwide.