While fiber-optic technologies have been traditionally deployed in backbone networks, they are also finding niche applications in the access domain (e.g., in the form of Passive Optical Networks or PONs). Meanwhile, RF-based wireless technologies have already changed the way we communicate, and yet the demands for higher bandwidth, longer reach and better interoperability remain strong.

In this talk, I will briefly outline a vision for an integrated system using both optics and wireless technologies. Such an integrated system can use free-space optics (or optical wireless) to transparently carry RF signals and thereby effectively extending the reach of the RF links and facilitating interoperability among wireless devices. Integrating optics and wireless technologies can also support the convergence of fixed (e.g. IP-based ) networks and mobile (e.g., cellular or ad hoc) networks, thereby potentially cutting down a significant amount of capital and operating costs. I will outline roles of and research issues related to Optical Burst Switching (OBS), and if time permits, I will also briefly mention our work on mobile ad hoc networks, and wireless sensor systems.

Chunming Qiao is a Professor at SUNY Buffalo where he directs the Lab for Advanced Network Design, Analysis, and Research (LANDER), which conducts cutting-edge research work on optical networks, wireless networks, survivable networks, and TCP/IP technologies. He has published more than 70 and 100 papers in leading technical journals and conference proceedings, respectively. His pioneering research on Optical Internet, in particular, the optical burst switching (OBS) paradigm is internationally acclaimed. In addition, his work on integrated cellular and ad hoc relaying systems (iCAR) is recognized as the harbinger for today's push towards the convergence between heterogeneous wireless technologies, and has been featured in Businessweek and Wireless Europe, as well as at the websites of New Scientists and CBC. His Research has been funded by a number of NSF grants including two ITR awards, and by Alcatel, Fujitsu Labs, NEC Labs, Nokia Research, Nortel, Telcordia, Sprint Advanced Technology Lab, and ITRI.

Dr. Qiao have given several keynotes, tutorials and invited talks on the above research topics. He is on the editorial board of several journals and magazines including IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking (ToN), and IEEE Communications Magazine, and have guest-edited several IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications (JSAC) and ACM/Baltzer's Journal on Mobile Networks and Applications Journal (MONET) issues. He has chaired and co-chaired a dozen of international conferences and workshops. He is a senior member of IEEE.