Hybrid ARoF-WDM PON Infrastructure for 5G Millimeter-wave Interface and Broadband Internet Service

Abstract

In this paper, the architecture of hybrid analog radio over fiber (ARoF) and next-generation (NG) wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON) infrastructure for broadband internet services and the latest fifth-generation (5G) cellular mobile communications is proposed. Investigated ARoF-WDM PON architecture is a trade-off between technology and cost for future 5G mobile cellular communications to meet the internet service requirements, allowing to increase system capacity ensuring higher spectral and energy efficiency. In our proposed infrastructure the widespread used passive optical access network (PON) architecture is technologically transformed to the AROF-WDM-PON transmission system without replacing existing network elements, by integrating baseband units (BBUs) or mobile radio transmitters located in optical line terminal (OLT) at the central office (CO) and the receiving radio unit (RU) part of mobile base stations, leaving the traditional WDM-PON broadband architecture unchanged. In our investigated ARoF-WDM PON transmission system model, designed in the simulation environment, we research the possible ARoF system implementation scenarios into the PON’s segment, which has been now standardized to the 40 Gigabit-capable next-generation passive optical network (NG-PON2) standard providing an unique solution for hybrid fiber optical infrastructure serving as the next step for future 5G wireless communication networks.