A Novel A-RoF and VLC-based Full-Duplex FiWi System for B5G Applications

Abstract

We propose the concept and report the implementation of a Gbps hybrid full-duplex analog radio-over-fiber (A-RoF)/visible light communication (VLC) laser diode (LD)-based system for beyond the fifth generation (B5G) of mobile network applications. Such hybrid optical wireless architecture is composed of a 3-km single-mode fiber fronthaul based on the A-RoF technology, followed by a 1.3 m VLC-LD-based access network. The latter one employs two counter-propagating visible light beams by using dichroic cube filters (DCFs) at the transmitter and receiver side, enabling the full-duplex mode, and avoiding the use of individual optical filters. As a proof of concept, we experimentally demonstrate a successful deployment of 5G New Radio (NR) hybrid full-duplex A-RoF/VLC system. The system performance is evaluated in terms of root mean square error vector magnitude (EVMRMS), in accordance with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) requirements, and as a function of modulation order. The experimental results demonstrate a downlink throughput of 600 Mbit/s and an uplink throughput of 420 Mbit/s, aligning with the digital performance requirements set by 3GPP.