Submission Deadline Extended to 13 March 2025
W2: 2nd Workshop on Optical Wireless Communications (OWC) for 6G
Co-Organizer: Chedlia Ben Naila, Nagoya University, Japan
Co-Organizer: Takaya Yamazato, Nagoya University, Japan
Co-Organizer: Abdelmoula Bekkali, CTTC, Spain
Co-Organizer: Mauro Biagi, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Italy
TPC Co-Chair: Tu Dac Ho, Norwegian University of science and technology (NTNU), Norway
TPC Co-Chair: Farah Al Sallami, University of Leeds, UK
TPC Co-Chair: Hossien B. Eldeeb, University of Cambridge, UK
TPC Co-Chair: v Diana W. Dawoud, University of Dubai, UAE
Keynote Speaker: Ana García Armada, University Carlos III of Madrid, Spain
Title: Reconfigurability in Visible Light Communications: from Detectors to Mirrors
Keynote Speaker: Mohamed-Slim Alouini, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia
Title: New Trends in Free Space Optical Communication Systems
Abstract: Optical wireless communication (OWC) systems have gained considerable attention for their potential in terrestrial, space, and underwater communication links. Recognized as cost-effective, sustainable, and energy-efficient solutions, OWC is well-positioned to meet the increasing demands for capacity and quality in Beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G networks. Notably, high-power solid-state laser diodes are emerging as key enablers for medium to long-range applications. Meanwhile, semiconductor sources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in visible and ultraviolet wavelengths, along with multi-array light sources and advanced tracking technologies, are advancing the potential for short to medium-range wireless communication.
OWC systems show promise not only for terrestrial use but also for Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), such as satellite communication. These networks leverage the unique capabilities of OWC for high-speed, high-capacity links that surpass traditional radio frequency methods. However, challenges remain, primarily due to optical beam propagation’s vulnerability to atmospheric conditions, weather-related distortions, and the need for integration with existing RF networks. These factors complicate the design and deployment of OWC systems in diverse environments. Addressing these challenges requires ongoing research into OWC channel models, system components, and the development of innovative techniques for improved performance. This effort is vital for advancing the adoption of OWC systems across various domains.
The OWC workshop provides a platform for researchers and industry experts to share their latest advancements and explore the integration of OWC technology into underwater, terrestrial and NTN scenarios.
Keynote Speaker’s Bios:
Ana Armada Garcia:
Prof. Ana García Armada is currently a Professor at University Carlos III of Madrid, Spain, where she has served in a variety of management positions (Head of Signal Theory and Communications Department, Vice-dean of Electrical Engineering, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of International Relations, among others). She is leading the Communications Research Group at this university. She has been a visiting scholar at Stanford University, Bell Labs and University of Southampton. She has coordinated a large number national and international research projects as well as contracts with the industry, all of them related to wireless communications. She is the co-author of eight book chapters on wireless communications and signal processing. She has published more than 250 papers in international journals and conference proceedings and she holds six granted patents. She is serving on the editorial board of IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society (Associate Editor in Chief since 2024) and ITU Journal on Future and Evolving. She has been a member of the organizing committee of IEEE MeditCom 2024 (General Chair), IEEE MeditCom 2023, IEEE WNCN 2024, IEEE Globecom 2022, IEEE Globecom 2021 (General Chair), IEEE Globecom 2019, IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC) Fall 2018, Spring 2018 and 2019, among others. She is now the Vice President of Member and Global Activities of IEEE Communications Society. She is an IEEE Fellow. She has received the Young Researchers Excellence Award from University Carlos III of Madrid. She was awarded the third place Bell Labs Prize 2014 for shaping the future of information and communications technology. She received the Outstanding service award from the IEEE ComSoc Signal Processing and Communications Electronics technical committee in 2019 and the Outstanding service award from the IEEE ComSoc Women in Communications Engineering Standing Committee in 2020. She received the IEEE ComSoc/KICS Exemplary Global Service Award in 2022.
Mohamed-Slim Alouini:
Prof. Mohamed-Slim Alouini, was born in Tunis, Tunisia. He earned his Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1998 before serving as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota and later at Texas A&M University at Qatar. In 2009, he became a founding faculty member at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), where he currently is the Al-Khawarizmi Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the holder of the UNESCO Chair on Education to Connect the Unconnected. Dr. Alouini is a Fellow of the IEEE and OPTICA and his research interests encompass a wide array of research topics in wireless and satellite communications. He is currently particularly focusing on addressing the technical challenges associated with information and communication technologies (ICT) in underserved regions and is committed to bridging the digital divide by tackling issues related to the uneven distribution, access to, and utilization of ICT in rural, low-income, disaster-prone, and hard-to-reach areas.
Co-Organizer’s Bios:
Chedlia Ben Naila:
Dr. Chedlia Ben Naila (IEEE SM’24) received the Ph.D. degree from Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan, in 2012. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan. Previously, she was a Junior Lecturer at Iset’Com, Tunisia (2005–2008), and as an Adjunct Lecturer at Waseda University, Japan (2014–2019). She is a Senior member of IEEE and member of OPTICA (formerly OSA). She was the recipient of the 2011 Waseda University Ono Azusa Memorial Academic Award medal, the Best Paper Award of IIEEJ Journal (2012), the 26th Telecom System Technology Award from the Japanese Telecommunication Advancement Foundation (TAF) of Japan (2011), and the IEEE ITU-T Kaleidoscope Best Paper award (2011). Her current research interests include optical wireless communications (OWC), free-space optics (FSO) systems, optical intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS), and underwater communications.
Takaya Yamazato:
Prof. Takaya Yamazato (IEEE S’91–M’93) is a professor at the Institute of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Nagoya University, Japan. He received a Ph.D. from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan, in 1993. From 1993 to 1998, he was an Assistant Professor at the Department of Information Electronics, Nagoya University, Japan. From 1997 to 1998, he was a visiting researcher at the Research Group for RF Communications, University of Kaiserslautern, Germany. In 1998, he gave a half-day tutorial entitled “Introduction to CDMA ALOHA” at GLOBECOM held in Sydney, Australia. Since then, he has been serving as a TPC member of GLOBECOM and ICC. In 2006, he received the IEEE Communication Society’s Best Tutorial Paper Award. He served as the co-chair of the Wireless Communication Symposia of ICC 2009 and was the co-chair of Selected Areas in Communication Symposia of ICC 2011. From 2008 to 2010, he served as the chair of the Satellite and Space Communication Technical Committee. In 2011, he gave a half-day tutorial entitled “Visible Light Communication” at ICC 2011 held in Kyoto, Japan.
Abdelmoula Bekkali:
Dr. Abdelmoula Bekkali (IEEE SM’15) received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan, in 2007 and 2010, respectively. He is currently Research Director with Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC). Previously, he was R&D Manager with TOYO Electric Corporation, Japan (2019-2024), Research engineer with KDDI Research Inc. Japan (2014–2019), Adjunct Lecturer with Waseda University, Japan (2012–2019), Research Scientist with Qatar Mobility Innovation Center, Qatar (2011–2014) and Researcher with NTT Labs, Tokyo, Japan (2010–2011). His research achievements portfolio includes both fundamental and applied research work conducted in the industry resulting in award-level accomplishments and the generation of intellectual property (IP), including 14 patents granted in Japan and the US. He received the KDDI Excellent Basic Research Award (2016), the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers of Japan (IEICE) Transactions on Electronics Best Paper Award (2016), IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC) Best Paper Award (2014), Institute of Image Electronics Engineers of Japan (IIEEJ) Excellent Journal Paper Award (2012), 26th TELECOM System Technology Award (Encouragement), awarded by JAPAN Telecommunications Advancement Foundation (TAF) (2011), 2009 Waseda University Ono Azusa Memorial Academic Award (Medal), 19th Isao Ookawa Memorial Academy Award (2008), ITU-T Young Author Recognition Award (2008) and two top-scored papers in OFC 2021 and ECOC 2024. He is Editor of IEEE Communications Magazine, Optical Communications and Networks Series. He has been an IEEE Senior member since 2015. He served as Optical Networks and Systems (ONS) symposium co-chair of the IEEE Globecom 2020.
Mauro Biagi:
Prof. Mauro Biagi received the laurea degree in communication engineering and the Ph.D. in information and communication theory in January 2005 from the INFO-COM Department (now DIET) of the University of Rome “Sapienza” where he covers the position of Associate Professor. It is appointed he was visiting assistant professor at the University of British Columbia, Dept. of Elec. & Comp. Engineering in 2010. His research is focused on MIMO systems, Cognitive Radio, Underwater Communications, Smart Grids and Optical Wireless Communications. He is in the PLC Technical Committee ComSoc Group and CyberSecurity Technical Committee ComSoc Group. He was Associate Editor of IEEE Photonics Technology Letters and Guest Editor for (2017) IEEE JSCAC issue on Visible light communication, localization and networking. He is associate editor of IEEE Journal of Lightwave Technology. He was TPC chair of the IEEE conference MoWNET 2014 and co-chair of 5 editions of the workshop on Optical Wireless Communications hosted by ICC from 2015 to 2019 and the chair of the 1st workshop of underwater communication access and networking at ICC 2023 and Chair of the workshop on Optical Wireless Communication and networking at PIMRC 2023. He was chair of the optical networks and systems symposium at Globecom 2021.
To submit a paper, please visit: https://vtc2025s-rr-wks.trackchair.com/track/2359