SMART: deSigning a Meaning-Aware eneRgy-efficient optical communication network archiTecture

The SMART project proposes a transformative approach to optical communications by developing a novel, meaning-aware, and energy-efficient network architecture. In an era of rapidly increasing data traffic, SMART addresses the critical need to optimise the way information is transmitted across digital infrastructure. By embedding semantic awareness into optical data transmission, the project will enable optical networks to prioritise information based on its contextual relevance, significantly reducing redundant data flow and enhancing overall system efficiency. This paradigm shift combines state-of-the-art advances in optical communication systems with intelligent, context-sensitive data processing. The SMART project aims to deliver improved transmission performance, lower energy consumption, and enhanced sustainability, paving the way for greener and more intelligent communication network infrastructure. The project aligns with the principles of green computing and supports the EU’s objectives for climate-neutral digital technologies. SMART will be implemented through dynamic collaboration among academic institutions, industry partners, and end-users across the UK, Spain, Poland, Italy, Portugal, Latvia, Ukraine, Greece and Ireland. The MSCA Staff Exchange scheme will facilitate the interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral mobility essential to the project’s success. Leveraging cutting-edge research in photonics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), SMART will establish a foundation for resilient, adaptive, and future-proof communication networks. By fostering international knowledge exchange and innovation, SMART not only advances the current state of optical networking but also strengthens Europe’s strategic leadership in sustainable digital infrastructure. The project represents a significant step toward next-generation connected systems that are smarter, greener, and more responsive to societal and technological needs.