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ICON is a Horizon Europe research project developing a new generation of optical communication networks with integrated sensing capabilities. By embedding fibre sensing directly into network architectures, ICON transforms existing terrestrial and subsea fibre infrastructures into a global-scale sensing platform, enabling advanced monitoring, optimisation and energy-efficient network operation.

1. Project Objectives
ICON lays the groundwork for intent- and context-aware optical networks, integrating sensing as a core function alongside data transmission.
2. Expected Results
• Advanced optical fibre sensing technologies integrated into live networks
• An intelligent sensing controller with intent interpretation and digital twin capabilities
• Context-aware transmission optimisation methods
• Demonstration of sensing-enabled services over terrestrial and subsea fibre
• Improved availability, performance and energy efficiency of optical networks
3. Expected Impacts
• Resilient and sustainable digital infrastructure in Europe
• New sensing services supporting environmental monitoring, mobility and infrastructure management
• Reduced network energy consumption through intelligent optimisation
• Strengthened EU leadership in photonics, optical networking and AI-enabled control
4. Alignment with EU Policies and Directives
• Horizon Europe – Cluster 4 objectives Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space - Research and innovation
• Digital Decade 2030 targets for connectivity and resilience Europe's Digital Decade | Shaping Europe’s digital future
• European Green Deal through energy-efficient networks Green digital sector | Shaping Europe’s digital future
• Zero Pollution ambition via fibre-based environmental sensing Zero Pollution Action Plan - Environment - European Commission
• EU strategies on secure, intelligent and sustainable connectivity Support for digital connectivity | Shaping Europe’s digital future

Effective processing and interpretation of sensing information

 

Create advanced algorithms, ML methods, and cloud platforms for efficient sensing data processing. Reduce data volume, interpret events rapidly, and enable integration with network management and external systems, such as earthquake warnings, ensuring energy efficiency and high accuracy.

Intelligent sensing control platform based on intent to achieve context awareness

 

Design a smart ICON platform to integrate sensing and network control. Enable intent-based sensing, optimized signal routing, and context-aware operations, reducing false alarms, increasing efficiency, and providing enhanced precision across multiple sensing applications.

Demonstrate the developed technology solution to realise the JC&S system

 

Verify and showcase ICON’s capabilities through experiments and field trials. Integrate physical sensing devices, intelligent control platforms, and network controls to highlight performance, reliability, and real-world applications, ensuring system security and resilience.

Generate impact and standardization of project results

 

Disseminating ICON results through workshops, conferences, and publications. Promote standardization of sensing  data sharing, engage stakeholders, and drive adoption by showcasing industry applications, ensuring broad technological, societal, and environmental impact.

Physical layer joint communication and sensing

 

Develop versatile physical layer sensing solutions for JC&S systems, enabling flexible sensing parameters and detecting diverse events. Investigate novel fibers and crosstalk mitigation between sensing and communication to ensure high performance and seamless coexistence.

Work Packages

 

Work Package 1 – Project Management

WP1 ensures the overall scientific, administrative and financial management of the ICON project. It covers coordination of consortium activities, governance and decision-making, risk, data and quality management, and reporting to the European Commission. WP1 ensures compliance with Horizon Europe requirements, ethical standards, open science practices and the FAIR principles.

 

Work Package 2 – Use Cases, Physical Requirements and Data Format for Sensing Systems

WP2 defines the sensing use cases addressed by ICON and translates their requirements into physical sensing specifications and performance metrics. It establishes requirements for intent-based sensing, context-aware network operation and data exchange, and defines how sensing data should be presented and shared for use across telecommunications and non-telecommunications applications.

 

Work Package 3 – Physical Layer of ICON

WP3 develops the physical sensing layer of the ICON system. It designs, models and experimentally validates sensing techniques suitable for subsea, terrestrial and aerial fibre infrastructures. This WP addresses sensing performance, coexistence with WDM communication signals, and the use of novel fibre types to enhance sensing capabilities without degrading communication performance.

 

Work Package 4 – Data Processing for Efficient JS&S System

WP4 develops data processing, digital signal processing (DSP), machine learning and digital twin methods to enable efficient joint communication and sensing (JC&S). It focuses on reducing data volumes, correlating network-wide and external data sources, and implementing a cloud-based platform with a smart user interface. WP4 also delivers the context-aware Digital Twin of the ICON sensing system.

 

Work Package 5 – Intelligent Sensing Control Platform Based on Intent and Context Awareness

WP5 develops the ICON intelligent sensing control platform, enabling intent-based and context-aware operation of sensing applications. It designs the control architecture, intelligent algorithms for sensing probe configuration and routing, and implements sensing applications interacting with the platform. This WP links user intents to sensing, data processing and network control.

 

Work Package 6 – Demonstrations

WP6 validates and demonstrates the ICON concept and technologies through laboratory and field trials on real terrestrial and subsea network infrastructures. It covers test planning, system integration, experimental validation and final demonstrations, evaluating performance, robustness and deployment strategies for sensing-enabled optical networks.

 

Work Package 7 – Dissemination, Exploitation, Communication and Standardisation Activities

WP7 ensures the visibility, uptake and long-term impact of ICON results. It manages dissemination and communication activities, exploitation and IPR planning, interaction with standardisation bodies, and collaboration with other European projects and initiatives. WP7 supports future adoption, standardisation and sustainability beyond the project lifetime.

Use Cases

Investigation of the operation and optimization of the ICON JS&S functions in lab experiments and field test environments, including a year-long field trial in a production subsea network. Effectiveness of the developed methods and their impact on the  data-bearing signals will be validated in diverse network scenarios and demonstration if the two ICON use cases.

 

Availability Assistant

AA (Availability Assistant) monitors network link performance, detecting failures and generating an availability map. It helps operators predict outages, integrate real-time risk data, and deploy sensing probes to maintain connectivity.

 

On-site network Intrusion Detector

This system detects unauthorized access in optical networks by analyzing signal changes. Upon detection, it automatically reroutes traffic via a secure path, ensuring data security and uninterrupted service.

Meet the Consortium

Start Date: 01/01/2025
Duration: 36 months

Funding:  €4, 999, 183.75
Partners: 10

Countries: 7

TCD

Overall project coordination, scientific management and development of the intelligent sensing control platform (WP5).

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FAU

Leader of WP4. Physical-layer sensing research, digital signal processing and development of the Digital Twin.

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CYRIC

Leader of WP7. Cloud platform, network-wide data processing, dissemination, exploitation and communication activities.

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VPI

Development of advanced simulation models for joint communication and sensing systems.

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TN

Provision of real subsea network infrastructures and long-duration field trials. 

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DTU

Development of simulation models, machine learning techniques and advanced sensing algorithms.

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ADTN

Leader of WP3. Development of physical sensing techniques, control architecture contributions and standardisation activities.

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BUT

Leader of WP6. Demonstration coordination, adaptable sensing systems and experimental validation.

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TalTech

Leader of WP2. Definition of use cases, sensing requirements and sensing data formats; development of sensing applications.

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LSAI

Development of tomographic sensing techniques, DSP algorithms and probe routing strategies.

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Latest News & Events

ONDM 2025, the ICON Project co-organised the Optical Communication and Sensing (OCandS) Roadmap Workshop

On the 8th May 2025, at ONDM 2025, the ICON Project will co-organise the Optical Communication and Sensing (OCandS) Roadmap Workshop — a strategic session exploring the integration of communication[…]

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ICON PROJECT – KICK OFF MEETING AT TCD

The ICON Project (Intent-Based Optical Networks with Integrated Sensing) is a Horizon Europe initiative focused on building a new generation of intelligent optical networks that seamlessly integrate sensing functionalities into[…]

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or of the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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