Radio-Over-MMF Techniques—Part II: Microwave to Millimeter-Wave Systems

Abstract

Microwave to mm-wave radio carriers are commonly employed for creating high-capacity picocell wireless networks. Advanced radio-over-fiber (RoF) techniques can efficiently generate and transport such carriers, and deliver them to simplified antenna stations. As in in-building networks multimode fiber is predominantly used, adequate radio-over-multimode fiber (RoMMF) techniques are required to overcome the modal dispersion in multimode fiber links. The optical frequency multiplying technique is introduced; it is relatively simple to implement, yet it is shown to be robust against the modal dispersion, and it is able to generate very pure microwave carriers while requiring only moderate speed electronics. Thus, it can convey high data rates in comprehensive modulation formats on multiple-GHz carriers in MMF networks. It offers simultaneous operation at multiple radio standards, and capabilities for dynamic adaptation of the radio link parameters such as carrier frequency, transmit power, and other antenna site functions by means of an embedded control channel. Moreover, in combination with optical routing it enables dynamically adjustable network configurations for flexible wireless service delivery.