🌐 Awesome AI for Optical Communication Networks

A curated collection of AI/ML research papers for optical communication networks

QoT • GNN • DRL • Transformer • Failure • Traffic • Tools

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📢 This repository is actively maintained and updated daily with the latest AI/ML papers in optical networking!

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📅 Upcoming Conferences 2026

🇺🇸 = Conference in USA (Recommended for US-based attendance)

Conference	Full Name	Date	Location	Submission Deadline	Website
🇺🇸 OFC 2026	Optical Fiber Communication Conference	Mar 15-19, 2026	Los Angeles, CA, USA	Closed
🇺🇸 SIGCOMM 2026	ACM SIGCOMM Conference	Aug 17-21, 2026	Denver, CO, USA	Feb 6, 2026
ONDM 2026	Optical Network Design and Modelling	May 12-15, 2026	Munich, Germany	Jan 10, 2026
INFOCOM 2026	IEEE Int'l Conf. Computer Communications	May 18-21, 2026	Tokyo, Japan	Dec 8, 2025 (Closed)
NOMS 2026	IEEE/IFIP Network Operations & Management	May 18-22, 2026	Rome, Italy	Workshop: Jan 21, 2026
ICC 2026	IEEE Int'l Conf. on Communications	May 24-28, 2026	Glasgow, UK	Workshop: Jan 31, 2026
ECOC 2026	European Conf. Optical Communication	Sep 20-24, 2026	London, UK	Mid-April 2026
GLOBECOM 2026	IEEE Global Communications Conference	Dec 7-11, 2026	Macau, China	Mar 15, 2026

💡 Note: OFC and SIGCOMM are the two major conferences in the USA for 2026!

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📖 Table of Contents

• 📅 Upcoming Conferences 2026
• 🎯 QoT Estimation
• 🔗 Graph Neural Networks
• 🎮 Deep Reinforcement Learning
• 🤖 Transformer & Attention
• 📊 LSTM & RNN
• 🔍 Failure Detection & Localization
• 📈 Traffic Prediction
• 🧠 End-to-End Deep Learning
• 🔄 Transfer Learning
• 💬 LLM for Optical Networks
• 🛠️ Tools & Datasets
• 🤝 Contributing

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🎯 QoT Estimation

Quality of Transmission estimation using machine learning for margin reduction and proactive network management

📅 2025

Title	Venue	AI Method	Links
Physics-Informed Machine Learning for EDFA: Parameter Identification and Gain Estimation	arXiv	Physics-Informed ML
Design and Evaluation of an LLM-Based Agent for QoT Estimation and Performance Optimization	IEEE OJCOMS	LLM Agent
QoT Estimation with Margin-Driven Transfer Learning in Time-Varying Optical Networks	OFC	Transfer Learning

📅 2024

Title	Venue	AI Method	Links
Integrating Knowledge Distillation and Transfer Learning for Enhanced QoT-Estimation	IEEE Access	Knowledge Distillation
Domain adversarial adaptation framework for few-shot QoT estimation	JOCN	Domain Adaptation
Evolutionary neuron-level transfer learning for QoT estimation	JOCN	Evolutionary TL
Overview of ML-aided QoT Estimation: A Perspective of Model Generalization	ICCT	Survey
Open-source data for QoT estimation from Alibaba	JOCN	Dataset

📅 2023

Title	Venue	AI Method	Links
Towards explainable AI in optical networks: lightpath QoT estimation	JOCN	Explainable AI
Sample-distribution-matching-based transfer learning for QoT estimation	JOCN	Transfer Learning

📅 2021-2022

Title	Year	Venue	AI Method	Links
Exact component parameter agnostic QoT estimation using spectral data-driven LSTM	2022	OFC	LSTM
Vendor-agnostic real-time optical network design with extended Kalman and RNN	2021	JOCN	RNN + Kalman

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🔗 Graph Neural Networks

Leveraging network topology for intelligent optical network management

Title	Year	Venue	Links
Graph-Based ML Estimation Methods for Backbone Optical Network Optimization	2026	IEEE TCCN
Robust Restoration of IP Traffic from Optical Failures by DRL and GNN	2024	ICTON
Board-Level Failure Localization Using Graph Neural Network	2024	DRCN
Network-aware compute and memory allocation with DRL and GNN	2023	JOCN
Optical Network Diagnostics Using GNN and NLP	2023	OFC
Ultra-fast Optical Network Throughput Prediction using GNN	2022	ONDM
Autonomous Operation and Maintenance based on GNN	2022	IWCMC
Fault Localization Based on Knowledge Graph and GNN	2020	OFC
Resource Allocation via GNN in Free Space Optical Fronthaul	2020	GLOBECOM
Deep Reinforcement Learning meets GNN: optical network routing	2019	arXiv

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🎮 Deep Reinforcement Learning

Intelligent decision-making for resource allocation and routing

📅 2026

Title	Year	Venue	AI Method	Links
Asynchronous Cooperative Multi-Agent DRL for Joint RMSA and Spectrum Defragmentation in Optical Fiber Communication Networks	2026	JOCN	MADRL + RMSA + SD
Physical Layer-Aware Deep Reinforcement Learning with Advantage Function Stabilization for Dynamic RMSA in Elastic Optical Networks	2026	JOCN	DRL + Physical-Layer

📅 2024-2025

Title	Year	Venue	AI Method	Links
Understanding deep reinforcement learning: Enhancing explainable decision-making in optical networks	2025	ICT Express	Explainable DRL
Deep reinforcement learning-aided multi-step job scheduling in optical data center networks	2025	JOCN	DRL Scheduling
Beyond Performance: Explaining Non-Intuitive Deep RL Actions in Elastic Optical Networks	2025	ECOC	Explainable DRL
Reinforcement learning for dynamic resource allocation in optical networks: hype or hope?	2025	JOCN	RL Survey
DRL-Based Joint Optimization of Routing and Wavelength Assignment for Satellite Optical Networks	2025	VTC	DRL + RWA
Availability-Aware and Delay-Sensitive RAN Slicing Mapping Based on DRL in Elastic Optical Networks	2024	IEEE TNSM	DRL + RAN Slicing
OpticGAI: Generative AI-aided Deep Reinforcement Learning for Optical Networks Optimization	2024	HotOptics	GenAI + DRL
Multilayer restoration in IP-Optical networks by DRL	2024	JOCN	DRL + Restoration
Opti-DeepRoute: A Topology-Adaptive DRL Based Service Provisioning Framework for EON	2024	INFOCOM	Topology-Adaptive DRL
Deep Reinforcement Learning for Resource Allocation in Multi-Band Optical Networks	2024	ONDM	DRL + Multi-Band
Towards Explainable Reinforcement Learning in Optical Networks: The RMSA Use Case	2024	OFC	Explainable RL
DNN distributed inference offloading based on transfer RL in metro optical networks	2024	JOCN	Transfer RL
RL-Based Holistic Routing and Wavelength Assignment in Optical Network-on-Chip	2024	IEEE JETCAS	RL + ONoC
RL-Based Bandwidth Decision in Optical Access Networks with Confidence Guarantee	2024	IEEE TCOM	RL + Bandwidth

📅 2019-2023

Title	Year	Venue	AI Method	Links
Network-aware compute and memory allocation with DRL and GNN	2023	JOCN	DRL + GNN
Deep Reinforcement Learning meets GNN: optical network routing	2019	arXiv	DRL + GNN

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🤖 Transformer & Attention

State-of-the-art attention mechanisms for optical communications

Title	Year	Venue	AI Method	Links
A Transformer-Based Approach for Diagnosing Fault Cases in Optical Fiber Amplifiers	2025	arXiv	Transformer (ITST)
Transformer-Based Precoding for User-Centric Network Massive MIMO OWC	2025	IEEE Access	Transformer
DenseNet-Transformer: spatial-temporal traffic prediction in optical fronthaul network	2024	Comput. Networks	DenseNet-Transformer
AlarmGPT: an intelligent alarm analyzer for optical networks using GPT	2024	JOCN	GPT/LLM
Anomaly Detection and Localization in Optical Networks Using Vision Transformer	2024	OFC	Vision Transformer
Transformer-Based Nonlinear Equalization for DP-16QAM Coherent Optical	2024	IEEE Comm. Letters	Transformer

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📊 LSTM & RNN

Sequential modeling for time-series analysis in optical networks

Title	Year	Venue	Links
Hybrid Spatio-Temporal CNN-LSTM/BiLSTM for Blocking Prediction in EON	2025	Network
RNN-LSTM for reliable optical transmission in flexible switching	2024	Wireless Networks
Load prediction for data transmission based on LSTM	2024	CNML
LSTM Attention for Hybrid Modulated Faster-Than-Nyquist OWC	2022	Sensors
LSTM for Cloud Data Centers Resource Allocation in SDN Optical Networks	2020	UEMCON

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🔍 Failure Detection & Localization

AI-powered fault management in optical networks

📅 2026

Title	Year	Venue	AI Method	Links
Block LMS Method for Fiber Longitudinal Power Profile Monitoring	2026	JLT	Adaptive Filtering
Online Learning-Based Concept Drift Adaptation for Failure Detection in Optical Networks	2026	OFC 2026	Online Learning

📅 2023-2025

Title	Year	Venue	AI Method	Links
From Data to Decision: A Multi-Stage Framework for Class Imbalance Mitigation in Optical Network Failure Analysis	2025	arXiv	Imbalance Mitigation
Soft failure detection and identification using cascaded deep learning model	2025	Comput. Networks	Cascaded DL
Dynamic network-aware soft failure localization using ML	2025	JOCN	ML Classification
Optimizing Deep Learning-Based Failure Management by Monitoring Neural Activity	2024	ONDM	DL + Monitoring
Board-Level Failure Localization Using GNN	2024	DRCN	GNN
Covert fault detection with imbalanced data using improved autoencoder	2023	JOCN	Autoencoder
Optical Network Diagnostics Using GNN and NLP	2023	OFC	GNN + NLP

📅 2020-2022

Title	Year	Venue	AI Method	Links
Autonomous O&M based on GNN	2022	IWCMC	GNN
GRU-based Autoencoder for Optical Link Fault Diagnosis in PON	2021	ECOC	GRU Autoencoder
Fault Localization Based on Knowledge Graph and GNN	2020	OFC	GNN + KG

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📈 Traffic Prediction

Machine learning for network traffic forecasting

Title	Year	Venue	AI Method	Links
Hybrid Spatio-Temporal CNN-LSTM/BiLSTM for Blocking Prediction	2025	Network	CNN-LSTM
RNN-LSTM for reliable optical transmission	2024	Wireless Networks	RNN-LSTM
Load prediction based on LSTM	2024	CNML	LSTM
Two Use Cases of ML for SDN-Enabled IP/Optical Networks	2018	JOCN	ML

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🧠 End-to-End Deep Learning

Neural networks replacing traditional DSP in optical fiber communications

Title	Year	Venue	AI Method	Links
Low-Complexity Neural Network Equalization for Long-Haul Coherent Transmission with Cascaded SOAs	2026	arXiv	NN Equalization
Nonlinearity Compensation for Coherent Optical Satellite Communications	2026	arXiv	DSP + Shaping
Optical Communications with Relative Intensity Noise: Channel Modeling and Information Rates	2026	arXiv	Info Theory
Inverse Design of a Spatial Demultiplexer for Free-Space Optical Communications	2026	arXiv	Inverse Design + SGD
Neural Probabilistic Amplitude Shaping for Nonlinear Fiber Channels	2026	OFC	Neural PAS
Underwater Wireless Optical Communication: Hybrid Autoencoder and GAN	2023	IEEE TWC	AE + GAN
End-to-End Deep Learning of Long-Haul Coherent Optical via Perturbation	2021	ECOC	DNN
Experimental Investigation of DL for DSP in Short Reach Optical	2020	SiPS	DNN
CNN-Based Optical Performance Monitoring	2019	JOCN	CNN
End-to-end Deep Learning of Optical Fiber Communications	2018	arXiv	Autoencoder

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🔄 Transfer Learning

Knowledge transfer for efficient model adaptation

Title	Year	Venue	Links
Generalized Few-Shot Transfer Learning Architecture for Modeling the EDFA Gain Spectrum	2025	arXiv
QoT Estimation with Margin-Driven Transfer Learning	2025	OFC
Knowledge Distillation and Transfer Learning for QoT-Estimation	2024	IEEE Access
Domain adversarial adaptation for few-shot QoT estimation	2024	JOCN
Evolutionary neuron-level transfer learning for QoT	2024	JOCN
Sample-distribution-matching-based transfer learning	2023	JOCN

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💬 LLM for Optical Networks

Large Language Models for intelligent optical network management

Title	Year	Venue	Links
Large Language Models for Optical Network O&M: Agent-Embedded Workflow for Automation	2026	arXiv
AgentOptics: Agentic AI for Scalable and Robust Optical Systems Control	2026	arXiv
AI Agent for Autonomous Optical Networks: Architectures, Technologies, and Prospects	2026	JOCN
CBA: Communication-Bound-Aware Cross-Domain Resource Assignment for Pipeline-Parallel Distributed LLM Training in Dynamic Multi-DC Optical Networks	2026	arXiv
LLM-Based Agent for QoT Estimation and Performance Optimization	2025	IEEE OJCOMS
Optical Network Diagnostics Using GNN and NLP	2023	OFC

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🌐 Digital Twin

Digital twin technologies for optical network modeling and management

Title	Year	Venue	Links
Leveraging Digital Twin Technologies: All-Photonics Networks-as-a-Service for Data Center Xchange in the Era of AI	2026	arXiv
Optical Network Digital Twin – Commercialization Barriers, Value Proposition, Early Use Cases, and Challenges	2025	arXiv

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🛠️ Tools & Datasets

📦 Software Tools

📊 Datasets & RL Environments

Resource	Description	Link
🏢 Alibaba QoT Dataset	Open-source QoT data from production network
🔐 UCI OBS Network	Burst Header Packet flooding attack data
🎮 XLRON	Accelerated RL Environments for Optical Networks (2024)
🎮 DREAM-ON GYM	DRL Environment for Next-Gen Optical Networks (2024)

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🤝 Contributing

We welcome contributions! Please see our Contributing Guidelines.

How to contribute:

1. 🍴 Fork this repository
2. 📝 Add papers following the format
3. 🔄 Submit a pull request

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