Integration of millimeter-wave and optical link for duplex transmission of hierarchically modulated signal over a single carrier and fiber for future 5G communication systems

Abstract

Integration of optical and millimeter-wave systems provide a promising solution for future giga-bits per second wireless communication systems. We have proposed and simulated full-duplex transmission of a hierarchically modulated signal carrying data for two different users at a combined rate of 1.5 Gbps. Analogue modulation of the optical carrier is used for the transmission of downlink data while the same carrier is re-used by digitally modulating it with the uplink data. The use of optical analogue and digital modulation schemes allow the transmission of duplex data over a single optical fiber. A millimeter-wave channel $$\hbox {NYUSIM}\_{\mathrm{v1}}\_4$$ is integrated with the optical link. The performance of the downlink and uplink signals are evaluated in terms of error vector magnitude and bit-error rate measurements, respectively. The effect of fiber length, received optical power and data rates on the performance has also been evaluated. It is shown that for a fiber length of 10 km, the lowest error vector magnitude obtained for the hierarchically modulated signal after transmission through a 14 m millimeter-wave link is 9.5%.