Optically controlled reconfigurable antenna for 5G future broadband cellular communication networks

I. F. da Costa,R. Puerta,J. J. V. Olmos,L. G. da Silva,S. Rodriguez,A. C. Sodré Jr.,D. H. Spadoti,T. Monroy

doi:10.1590/2179-10742017v16i1883

Abstract

This paper presents an optically controlled reconfigurable antenna for millimetre-wave frequency range. Silicon switches are used to control the optical reconfiguration, modifying the frequency response and radiation pattern of the antenna design. Therefore, the system can switch between the lightly licensed 28 GHz and 38 GHz frequency bands, useful for future mobile 5G broadband cellular communication networks. Experimental results with the reconfigurable antenna on 16-QAM and 32-QAM wireless transmission supported by photonic downconversion are successfully reported under 78 dB link budget requirement.

Highlights

The number of users of wireless technology has presented a continuous up growth during the last decades, pressing the development of new technologies to supply the market necessities
The MachZehnder modulator (MZM) is biased at the minimum point to create three tones spaced by the Local Oscillator (LO) frequency, typically from 27 GHz to 31 GHz
This section reports the experimental results for 16- and 32-QAM wireless transmission obtained using the developed antenna and photonic downconversion technique

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The number of users of wireless technology has presented a continuous up growth during the last decades, pressing the development of new technologies to supply the market necessities. RoF is an essential technology for the provision of untethered access to broadband wireless communications in a range of applications including last mile solutions, extension of existing radio coverage and capacity, indoor and outdoor cellular systems, among others. Our group has recently proposed the concept of an Adaptive and Cognitive Radio over Fiber (ACRoF) [12] based on the integration of an optically controlled reconfigurable antennas and RoF systems [13]. Using this new approach, it becomes possible to perform a high capacity optical backhaul with a broadband, energy- and spectrum-efficient wireless access segment, exploiting new spectral resources.

RECONFIGURABLE ANTENNA DEVELOPMENT

SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSIONS