Dispersion-Diversity Multicore Fiber Signal Processing

[EN] Beyond playing a primary role in high-capacity communication networks, multicore optical fibers can bring many advantages to optical and microwave signal processing, as not only space but also chromatic dispersion are introduced as new degrees of freedom. The key lies in developing radically new multicore fibers where the refractive index profile of each individual core is tailored properly to provide parallel dispersion-diversity signal processing with application in a variety of scenarios such as parallel channel equalization, analogue-to-digital conversion, optical computing, pulse generation and shaping, multiparameter fiber sensing, medical imaging, optical coherence tomography, broad-band measurement instrumentation, and next-generation fiber-wireless communications. Here, we experimentally prove, for the first time to our knowledge, reconfigurable two-dimensional dispersion-managed signal processing performed by a novel dispersion-diversity heterogeneous multicore fiber. The fiber comprises seven different trench-assisted cores featuring a different refractive index profile in terms of both radial geometry and core dopant concentration. As a representative application case, we demonstrate reconfigurable microwave signal filtering with increased compactness as well as performance flexibility and versatility as compared to previous technologies.The authors acknowledge financial support by the European Research Council Consolidator Grant 724663, the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion Project PID2020118310RB-100, and the Generalitat Valenciana Projects IDIFEDER/2018/031 and PROMETEO/2021/15, as well as the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia PAID-10-21 fellowship for S.G.García-Cortijo, S.; Ureña-Gisbert, M.; Gasulla Mestre, I. (2022). Dispersion-Diversity Multicore Fiber Signal Processing. ACS Photonics. 9(8):2850-2859. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsphotonics.2c00910285028599

Bending and twisting effects on multicore fiber differential group delay

© 2019 Optical Society of America. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modifications of the content of this paper are prohibited.[EN] In this paper we provide the theoretical and experimental evaluation of fiber bending and twisting effects on the group delay performance of a homogeneous 7-core fiber. We have experimentally evaluated the differential group delay between the central and outer cores for different curvature radii and twisting conditions, demonstrating that fiber twisting counteracts the degradation introduced by the curvature itself. These findings are generally applicable to time-sensitive application areas such as radio-over-fiber distribution and microwave photonics signal processing in fiber-wireless access networks, as well as high-capacity long-haul digital communications where digital multiple-input multiple-output processing may be required.European Research Council (Consolidator Grant 724663); Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (BES-2015-073359 for S. Garcia, RYC-2014-16247 for I. Gasulla, TEC2016-80150-R).García-Cortijo, S.; Ureña-Gisbert, M.; Gasulla Mestre, I. (2019). Bending and twisting effects on multicore fiber differential group delay. Optics Express. 27(22):31290-31298. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.27.03129031290312982722Richardson, D. J., Fini, J. M., & Nelson, L. E. (2013). Space-division multiplexing in optical fibres. Nature Photonics, 7(5), 354-362. doi:10.1038/nphoton.2013.94Barrera, D., Gasulla, I., & Sales, S. (2015). Multipoint Two-Dimensional Curvature Optical Fiber Sensor Based on a Nontwisted Homogeneous Four-Core Fiber. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 33(12), 2445-2450. doi:10.1109/jlt.2014.2366556Capmany, J., Mora, J., Gasulla, I., Sancho, J., Lloret, J., & Sales, S. (2013). Microwave Photonic Signal Processing. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 31(4), 571-586. doi:10.1109/jlt.2012.2222348Hayashi, T., Sasaki, T., Sasaoka, E., Saitoh, K., & Koshiba, M. (2013). Physical interpretation of intercore crosstalk in multicore fiber: effects of macrobend, structure fluctuation, and microbend. Optics Express, 21(5), 5401. doi:10.1364/oe.21.005401Nasir, A. A., Durrani, S., & Kennedy, R. A. (2011). Blind timing and carrier synchronisation in distributed multiple input multiple output communication systems. IET Communications, 5(7), 1028-1037. doi:10.1049/iet-com.2010.0528Gasulla, I., & Capmany, J. (2012). Microwave Photonics Applications of Multicore Fibers. IEEE Photonics Journal, 4(3), 877-888. doi:10.1109/jphot.2012.2199101García, S., & Gasulla, I. (2016). Dispersion-engineered multicore fibers for distributed radiofrequency signal processing. Optics Express, 24(18), 20641. doi:10.1364/oe.24.020641García, S., & Gasulla, I. (2017). Experimental demonstration of multi-cavity optoelectronic oscillation over a multicore fiber. Optics Express, 25(20), 23663. doi:10.1364/oe.25.023663Sakamoto, T., Mori, T., Wada, M., Yamamoto, T., Matsui, T., Nakajima, K., & Yamamoto, F. (2014). Experimental and numerical evaluation of inter-core differential mode delay characteristic of weakly-coupled multi-core fiber. Optics Express, 22(26), 31966. doi:10.1364/oe.22.031966Marcuse, D. (1982). Influence of curvature on the losses of doubly clad fibers. Applied Optics, 21(23), 4208. doi:10.1364/ao.21.004208Gloge, D. (1971). Weakly Guiding Fibers. Applied Optics, 10(10), 2252. doi:10.1364/ao.10.002252Koshiba, M., Saitoh, K., Takenaga, K., & Matsuo, S. (2011). Multi-core fiber design and analysis: coupled-mode theory and coupled-power theory. Optics Express, 19(26), B102. doi:10.1364/oe.19.00b102Koshiba, M., Saitoh, K., Takenaga, K., & Matsuo, S. (2012). Analytical Expression of Average Power-Coupling Coefficients for Estimating Intercore Crosstalk in Multicore Fibers. IEEE Photonics Journal, 4(5), 1987-1995. doi:10.1109/jphot.2012.2221085Dorrer, C., Belabas, N., Likforman, J.-P., & Joffre, M. (2000). Spectral resolution and sampling issues in Fourier-transform spectral interferometry. Journal of the Optical Society of America B, 17(10), 1795. doi:10.1364/josab.17.001795Smith, A. M. (1980). Birefringence induced by bends and twists in single-mode optical fiber. Applied Optics, 19(15), 2606. doi:10.1364/ao.19.00260

Demonstration of distributed radiofrequency signal processing on heterogeneous multicore fibres

[EN] We experimentally demonstrate for the first-time to our knowledge distributed radiofrequency signal processing performed by a heterogeneous multicore fibre link. A trench-assisted 7-core fibre, where each core presents a different chromatic dispersion behaviour, is custom-engineered to operate as a 2D sampled true time delay line.This research was supported by the ERC Consolidator Grant 724663, Spanish MINECO Project TEC2016-80150-R, Spanish MINECO scholarship BES-2015-073359 for S. García and Spanish MINECO fellowship RYC-2014-16247 for I. Gasulla.García-Cortijo, S.; Ureña-Gisbert, M.; Gasulla Mestre, I. (2019). Demonstration of distributed radiofrequency signal processing on heterogeneous multicore fibres. IEEE. 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1049/cp.2019.0749S1

Modeling optical fiber space division multiplexed quantum key distribution systems

© 2019 Optical Society of America. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modifications of the content of this paper are prohibited[EN] We report a model to use to evaluate the performance of multiple quantum key distribution (QKD) channel transmission using spatial division multiplexing (SDM) in multicore (MCF) and few-mode fibers (FMF). This model is then used to analyze the feasibility of QKD transmission in 7-core MCFs in two practical scenarios involving the (1) transmission of only QKD channels and (2) simultaneous transmission of QKD and classical channels. In the first case, standard homogeneous MCFs enable transmission distances per core compatible with transmission parameters (distance and net key rate) very close to those of single-core single-mode fibers. For the second case, heterogeneous MCFs must be employed to make this option feasible.European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); Galician Regional Government (project GRC2015/018 and agreement for funding AtlantTIC (Atlantic Research Center for Information and Communication Technologies)); European Research Council (ERC) (Consolidator Grant 724663); Spanish MINECO (TEC2016-80150-R project and Ramon y Cajal fellowship RYC-2014-16247 for I. Gasulla).Ureña-Gisbert, M.; Gasulla Mestre, I.; Fraile, FJ.; Capmany Francoy, J. (2019). Modeling optical fiber space division multiplexed quantum key distribution systems. Optics Express. 27(5):7047-7063. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.27.00704770477063275Gisin, N., Ribordy, G., Tittel, W., & Zbinden, H. (2002). Quantum cryptography. Reviews of Modern Physics, 74(1), 145-195. doi:10.1103/revmodphys.74.145Scarani, V., Bechmann-Pasquinucci, H., Cerf, N. J., Dušek, M., Lütkenhaus, N., & Peev, M. (2009). The security of practical quantum key distribution. Reviews of Modern Physics, 81(3), 1301-1350. doi:10.1103/revmodphys.81.1301Ekert, A., & Renner, R. (2014). The ultimate physical limits of privacy. Nature, 507(7493), 443-447. doi:10.1038/nature13132Tomamichel, M., Lim, C. C. W., Gisin, N., & Renner, R. (2012). Tight finite-key analysis for quantum cryptography. Nature Communications, 3(1). doi:10.1038/ncomms1631Lucamarini, M., Patel, K. A., Dynes, J. F., Fröhlich, B., Sharpe, A. W., Dixon, A. R., … Shields, A. J. (2013). Efficient decoy-state quantum key distribution with quantified security. Optics Express, 21(21), 24550. doi:10.1364/oe.21.024550Yuan, Z. L., Kardynal, B. E., Sharpe, A. W., & Shields, A. J. (2007). High speed single photon detection in the near infrared. Applied Physics Letters, 91(4), 041114. doi:10.1063/1.2760135Namekata, N., Adachi, S., & Inoue, S. (2010). Ultra-Low-Noise Sinusoidally Gated Avalanche Photodiode for High-Speed Single-Photon Detection at Telecommunication Wavelengths. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 22(8), 529-531. doi:10.1109/lpt.2010.2042054Sasaki, M., Fujiwara, M., Ishizuka, H., Klaus, W., Wakui, K., Takeoka, M., … Zeilinger, A. (2011). Field test of quantum key distribution in the Tokyo QKD Network. Optics Express, 19(11), 10387. doi:10.1364/oe.19.010387Peev, M., Pacher, C., Alléaume, R., Barreiro, C., Bouda, J., Boxleitner, W., … Dynes, J. F. (2009). The SECOQC quantum key distribution network in Vienna. New Journal of Physics, 11(7), 075001. doi:10.1088/1367-2630/11/7/075001Chen, T.-Y., Wang, J., Liang, H., Liu, W.-Y., Liu, Y., Jiang, X., … Pan, J.-W. (2010). Metropolitan all-pass and inter-city quantum communication network. Optics Express, 18(26), 27217. doi:10.1364/oe.18.027217Ciurana, A., Martínez-Mateo, J., Peev, M., Poppe, A., Walenta, N., Zbinden, H., & Martín, V. (2014). Quantum metropolitan optical network based on wavelength division multiplexing. Optics Express, 22(2), 1576. doi:10.1364/oe.22.001576Fröhlich, B., Dynes, J. F., Lucamarini, M., Sharpe, A. W., Yuan, Z., & Shields, A. J. (2013). A quantum access network. Nature, 501(7465), 69-72. doi:10.1038/nature12493Winzer, P. J., Neilson, D. T., & Chraplyvy, A. R. (2018). Fiber-optic transmission and networking: the previous 20 and the next 20 years [Invited]. Optics Express, 26(18), 24190. doi:10.1364/oe.26.024190Shariati, B., Mastropaolo, A., Diamantopoulos, N.-P., Rivas-Moscoso, J. M., Klonidis, D., & Tomkos, I. (2018). Physical-Layer-Aware Performance Evaluation of SDM Networks Based on SMF Bundles, MCFs, and FMFs. Journal of Optical Communications and Networking, 10(9), 712. doi:10.1364/jocn.10.000712Galve, J. M., Gasulla, I., Sales, S., & Capmany, J. (2016). Reconfigurable Radio Access Networks Using Multicore Fibers. IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, 52(1), 1-7. doi:10.1109/jqe.2015.2497244Dynes, J. F., Kindness, S. J., Tam, S. W.-B., Plews, A., Sharpe, A. W., Lucamarini, M., … Shields, A. J. (2016). Quantum key distribution over multicore fiber. Optics Express, 24(8), 8081. doi:10.1364/oe.24.008081Cañas, G., Vera, N., Cariñe, J., González, P., Cardenas, J., Connolly, P. W. R., … Lima, G. (2017). High-dimensional decoy-state quantum key distribution over multicore telecommunication fibers. Physical Review A, 96(2). doi:10.1103/physreva.96.022317Lo, H.-K., Ma, X., & Chen, K. (2005). Decoy State Quantum Key Distribution. Physical Review Letters, 94(23). doi:10.1103/physrevlett.94.230504Capmany, J. (2009). Photon nonlinear mixing in subcarrier multiplexed quantum key distribution systems. Optics Express, 17(8), 6457. doi:10.1364/oe.17.006457Koshiba, M., Saitoh, K., Takenaga, K., & Matsuo, S. (2012). Analytical Expression of Average Power-Coupling Coefficients for Estimating Intercore Crosstalk in Multicore Fibers. IEEE Photonics Journal, 4(5), 1987-1995. doi:10.1109/jphot.2012.2221085Tu, J., Saitoh, K., Koshiba, M., Takenaga, K., & Matsuo, S. (2012). Design and analysis of large-effective-area heterogeneous trench-assisted multi-core fiber. Optics Express, 20(14), 15157. doi:10.1364/oe.20.015157Hayashi, T., Taru, T., Shimakawa, O., Sasaki, T., & Sasaoka, E. (2011). Design and fabrication of ultra-low crosstalk and low-loss multi-core fiber. Optics Express, 19(17), 16576. doi:10.1364/oe.19.016576Choi, I., Young, R. J., & Townsend, P. D. (2010). Quantum key distribution on a 10Gb/s WDM-PON. Optics Express, 18(9), 9600. doi:10.1364/oe.18.009600Mora, J., Amaya, W., Ruiz-Alba, A., Martinez, A., Calvo, D., Muñoz, V. G., & Capmany, J. (2012). Simultaneous transmission of 20x2 WDM/SCM-QKD and 4 bidirectional classical channels over a PON. Optics Express, 20(15), 16358. doi:10.1364/oe.20.016358Mora, J., Ruiz-Alba, A., Amaya, W., Martínez, A., García-Muñoz, V., Calvo, D., & Capmany, J. (2012). Experimental demonstration of subcarrier multiplexed quantum key distribution system. Optics Letters, 37(11), 2031. doi:10.1364/ol.37.002031Gleim, A. V., Egorov, V. I., Nazarov, Y. V., Smirnov, S. V., Chistyakov, V. V., Bannik, O. I., … Buller, G. S. (2016). Secure polarization-independent subcarrier quantum key distribution in optical fiber channel using BB84 protocol with a strong reference. Optics Express, 24(3), 2619. doi:10.1364/oe.24.002619Yoshino, K., Ochi, T., Fujiwara, M., Sasaki, M., & Tajima, A. (2013). Maintenance-free operation of WDM quantum key distribution system through a field fiber over 30 days. Optics Express, 21(25), 31395. doi:10.1364/oe.21.03139

Space-Division Multiplexing fibers for radiofrequency signal processing

[EN] Beyond high-capacity transmission, space-division multiplexing fibers can be engineered to provide distributed signal processing for microwave signals. We present an overview of different fiber technologies where the incorporation of the space dimension brings advantages in terms of compactness as well as operation flexibility and versatility.García-Cortijo, S.; Guillem-Cogollos, R.; Ureña-Gisbert, M.; Gasulla Mestre, I. (2020). Space-Division Multiplexing fibers for radiofrequency signal processing. IEEE. 1-2. https://doi.org/10.1109/SUM48678.2020.91610441

La sima del Ciervo II (Gabasa, Peralta de Calasanz, Huesca). Un conjunto de cerámicas inciso-impresas en el Alto Aragón

The present study shows the results of the last archaeological intervention carried out in Sima del Ciervo II (Gabasa, Huesca). Due to the vertical growth of this cave, there has not been a detailed and systematic investigation of this site up to this work. Because of this, it has been necessary the use of speleological equipment and a good knowledge of speleology. All the sections including rock ledges, nooks and crannies have been visited during several prospecting works and many archaeological materials have been recovered. Among these remains it stands out a set of Ancient Neolithic ceramics. This work is complemented with the review of previous materials deposited in Museo de Huesca. The aim of this study is to contextualize this new Neolithic site within the extensive net that brings together the other Neolithic sites around Cinca (Huesca) and Segre (Lérida) basins and to show the function of this inaccessible archaeological site.Se presentan los resultados de las últimas intervenciones realizadas en la Sima del Ciervo II. Esta cavidad presenta un desarrollo básicamente vertical lo cual ha impedido la investigación pormenorizada hasta la fecha, siendo necesario equipo y conocimientos de espeleología. En estas campañas se han visitado todos los tramos y repisas susceptibles de albergar materiales arqueológicos, recuperando numerosos restos entre los cuales destaca un conjunto cerámico adscribible al Neolítico Antiguo. El estudio se completa con la revisión de los materiales pertenecientes a anteriores campañas depositados en el Museo de Huesca. El objetivo de este trabajo es contextualizar el yacimiento dentro de la tupida red de asentamientos neolíticos en torno a los ríos Cinca y Segre (Huesca y Lérida), así como determinar la funcionalidad del espacio singular en el que se encuentran dadas las difíciles condiciones de acceso que presenta

Soybean protein concentrate as a protein source for totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) juveniles: Effect on intermediary metabolism and liver histological organization

This study aimed to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal (FM) with soybean protein concentrates (SPC) on the intermediary metabolism and health of Totoaba macdonaldi juveniles. Fish (initial weight 50 ± 1 g) were fed for 60 days with eight diets: a reference diet (RD) and seven experimental diets where FM was replaced gradually with 15 to 100% SPC (SPC15, SPC30, SPC45, SPC60, SPC75, SPC90, and SPC100, respectively). Hexokinase (HK), glucokinase (GK), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme activities showed highly significant differences (p < 0.01) between fish fed RD (0% SPC) compared to fish fed the diets with 60, 75, 90, and 100% SPC. The ALT enzyme shows a highly significant (p < 0.01) decrease in activity for fish fed 75, 90, and 100% SPC inclusions compared to fish fed the RD. The aspartate aminotransferase AST/ALT ratio showed a significant increase in activity for fish fed 100% soybean compared only with fish fed the control diet. The histological organization of the liver in totoaba juveniles fed RD, SPC15, SPC30 and SPC45 diets were similar. Totoaba fed with SPC90 and SPC100 showed histological alterations in hepatic and pancreatic parenchyma. Overall, according to the findings in this study, 45% of dietary FM could be replaced by SPC without causing adverse changes in metabolism, histological organization of liver, and health of juveniles of totoaba when cultured for 60 days. However, levels greater than 60% of SPC could compromise the health status of fish.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

MERTIS – MErcury Radiometer and Thermal infrared Imaging Spectrometer

The MErcury Radiometer and Thermal infrared Imaging Spectrometer (MERTIS) [1] is part of the payload of the Mercury Planetary Orbiter spacecraft of the ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission that will be launched in October 2018. MERTIS combines an imaging spectrometer covering the wavelength range from 7-14 μm with a radiometer covering the wavelength range from 7 to 40 μm. The instrument will map the whole surface of Mercury with a spatial resolution of 500m for the spectrometer channel and 2km for the radiometer channel. The compositional map of Mercury provided by MERTIS will allow unique insights into the evolution of the least explored terrestrial planet. MERTIS will also address directly questions raised by the NASA MESSENGER mission. For example we will be able to provide spatially re-solved compositional information on the hollows and pyroclastic deposits and answer the question whether hollows are actually predominately sulfide deposits

The role of diffusion tensor imaging and tractography for deep brain stimulation planning in treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Introduction: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common, chronic and long-lasting mental disorder. The current first-line therapy for OCD is high doses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. For patients with refractory symptoms, studies demonstrated that they may respond well to Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a technique that can modulate altered neuronal activity. Some stimulation sites are currently being used as targets to DBS and showed good response, but further analyses are necessary to improve the location of the electrodes since some patients demonstrated a poor outcome. Neuroimaging that assess white matter such as diffusion tensor image and tractography can evaluate the quality of the targets and assess the tracts that are affected by the electric field of the electrodes used in the surgery. Our hypothesis is that the patient outcome depends on the trajectory of the tracts that are affected by the electric field.Objectives: Our aim is to investigate which tracts connected with the stimulation sites contribute to clinical improvement effects and weather is possible to predict the outcomes based on connectivity.Methodology: We analyzed 4 patients (2 female) with treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder undergoing deep brain stimulation targeting the anterior limb of the internal capsule/ nucleus accumbens (ALIC). We will perform tractography analysis of the fibers using the volume of active tissue (VTA) as the region of interest. We will relate the alteration in OCD symptom severity on Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale (Y-BOCS) between the condition before surgery and one-year follow-up with the tracts involved with the stimulation sites using DTI data such as fractal anisotropy and mean diffusivity.Partial Results: Half of the patients did show great improvement and the other two maintained a bad outcome. We found that active stimulation of the ALIC more lateral and posterior of the nucleus was associated with a better outcome. Currently, the description of the tracts involved in patients with better outcomes is performed. The tracts involved with this result will be determined by analysis of DTI and tractography.Discussion and Conclusion: For a future perspective, the results will be important to improve the stimulation sites in DBS surgery resulting in better outcomes

El Puerto Bajo de Góriz (Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido). Ocupación y explotación de un paisaje de alta montaña desde la prehistoria hasta el siglo XX

El Puerto Bajo de Góriz forma parte de las extensas super cies de pastizal del Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido. El actual paisaje vegetal de la zona no es estrictamente natural, sino consecuencia también de la actividad antrópica. Su explotación ganadera a lo largo de miles de años ha contribuido a ampliar la super cie de los pastos, que han descendido hasta cotas que corresponderían a la expansión del bosque. Parque. Se han documentado 59 puntos de interés arqueológico que incluyen cuevas, abrigos, rediles y casetas de pastores, de los que 17 han sido sondeados y 2 excavados en extensión. Los resultados de esos trabajos han con rmado la ocupación y la explotación del territorio desde al menos la segunda mitad del iii milenio cal a. C. En 2014 dio comienzo un plan de prospecciones al amparo de un proyecto del Organismo de Parques Nacionales para comprobar en qué momento comenzó el impacto humano en ese territorio y si podía remontarse, al igual que en otras zonas pirenaicas y prepirenaicas, a tiempos prehistóricos, rebasando los contrastados datos medievales. Con esa nalidad se han desarrollado tres campañas de prospección intensiva, excavaciones y sondeos en un territorio de unas 400 hectáreas situado en la zona sureste del arque. Se han documentado 59 puntos de interés arqueológico que incluyen cuevas, abrigos, rediles y casetas de pastores, de los que 17 han sido sondeados y 2 excavados en extensión. Los resultados de esos trabajos han con rmado la ocupación y la explotación del territorio desde al menos la segunda mitad del iii milenio cal a. C. The Puerto Bajo de Góriz (Low Góriz Greenhill) belongs to the wide pasture areas of the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park. The current vegetal landscape is not totally natural as anthropic activity has influenced its evolution. Thousands of years of husbandry exploitation has contributed to the widening of the pasture surface which nowadays covers lower altitudes, originally expected to be forested areas. In 2014, a survey plan was initiated within a research project promoted by the National Parks Authority, in order to check when human action started to have an impact on natural development, and if this influence could go back to Prehistoric times, far before the documented Middle Age data, similarly to other Pyrenean and Prepyrenean areas. To this end, three intensive survey campaigns have been carried out in an 400 ha territory in the SE part of the Park. Selected test pits and excavations have also been included. Fifty-nine points of archaeological interest, that include caves, rock shelters, cotes and shepherds huts have been documented, including seventeen test pits and two extensive excavations. The first results have confirmed the occupation and exploitation of this territory since at least the second half of the 3rd millennium cal BC