Fronthaul optical networks working with use of the hybrid analog and digital radio-over-fiber techniques

Abstract

The paper presents a comparison of two technologies, i.e. Digital Radio-over-Fiber (DRoF) and Analog Radio-over- Fiber (ARoF), for transporting of the radio signals over all-optical network. The methods of calculating the appropriate amount of bandwidth and frequency band of the modulated optical channel, have been presented. A proposal of network architecture of all-optical SDN, controlled using the OpenFlow (OF) protocol, which allows combining the functions of backhaul (BH) and fronthaul (FH) networks, have been highlighted. The solution allows building a hybrid Centralized Radio Access Network (C-RAN), in the area of which can be combined and coordinated eNodeB and Radio Remote Head (RRH) connections to the core network. In addition, an example of the OpenFlow message format that allows to configure the optical node in order to efficiently transfer the signal coming from the backhaul (BH) or fronthaul (FH) interface. It should be noted that the optical node controlled by OpenFlow controller and supporting given proposal of message, can also work in the area of Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network.