Appendix B: Radio over Fiber 425

Appendix B
Radio over Fiber

Radio over Fiber (RoF) technology can integrate advantages of both wireless networks and optical
fiber networks. Recently RoF technology has found numerous applications in broadband wireless
access communication networks, radio astronomy, RADAR and millimeter-wave communications,
antenna array beam-forming, establishment of up- and down-converting links using photonic signals,
spectroscopy, imaging, and electronic warfare.
In a typical RoF system configuration, as shown in Figure B.1, a radio signal (RFin modulated
signal in the millimeter-wave band) is propagated via optical fiber communication link using laser
source and several electro-optical devices such as photodetector, power amplifier, circulator, Tx/Rx
antenna, low-noise amplifier, etc.

As shown, an analog or digitally modulated RF signal is carried by an analog optical fiber

communication link. The RF input signal may be either baseband analog/digital data from its
information source, IF-modulated signal, or the actual RF-modulated signal. It modulates the optical
source such as distributed-feedback semiconductor laser diode using direct modulation technique
in the central site. The output optical signal from the optical source is launched into an optical fiber
between the central site and the base station. At the base station, a photodetector serves as an optical
receiver that converts the optical signal to electrical (RF) signal again. The resultant signal must
comply with the standard specifications as specified by the intended wireless system such as 2G/3G
cellular, WLAN, WiMax, etc. In this way there is no need of generating high frequency radio carriers
by the optical fiber communication link at the remote antenna site.
Usually a single optical fiber is used to transport signal in one direction (simplex). In order to
enable bi-directional (duplex) communication, we require two optical fibers. It is possible to use the

Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. Western Sydney University Library, on 07 Dec 2019 at 20:21:41, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at
https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316661505.010
 426 Appendix B: Radio over Fiber

same fiber for two-way communication using different wavelengths in optical systems employing
wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technique. In WDM, several wavelengths carrying different
information signals can be combined together and sent over a wideband optical fiber link. This also
enables to maximize total data throughput necessary for broadband wireless communication networks.
The performance of the RoF system is degraded due to nonlinear distortion introduced at both
modulation and photodetection process. Laser generates nonlinear distortion which can be suppressed
by employing feed-forward compensation techniques. For meeting stringent requirements of linearity,
more number of laser diodes, optical couplers, and photodiodes are used, which in turn may result
in higher costs and system complexity. An alternative approach is to introduce predistortion device
having an inverse transfer function with that of generated by nonlinear characteristics of laser diode.
Another approach is to deploy a cascaded stage of lasers for realizing improved performance in terms
of linearity. This offers better solution in terms of easier implementation and cost-saving.
The radio over fiber technology has many advantages over the conventional optical communication
system that include the followings:
• Wide Bandwidth
• Less Power Consumption
• Immunity to EMI and RFI
• Low Signal Attenuation
• Dynamic Resource Utilization
• Multi-Service Operation
• Easy Installation and Maintenance
• Multi-Operator Service Capability
Thus, we can say that RoF technology can provide an optimal solution for efficient propagation
of radio signals using optical fiber links in wireless communication networks. Essentially, RoF
technology can integrate broadband wireless as well as optical access networks, thus enabling
broadband wireless connectivity and infrastructure to support multiple radio standards and services.
Moreover, remote interfacing of multiple antennas of base stations usually located near the users with
a central site offers a reliable, flexible, and cost effective solution with reduced system complexity.
In fixed wireless access configuration to provide broadband wireless services, RoF techniques
combines the functions of wireless signal generation and modulation at the same site. This enables
faster upgradation of the system with latest radio technologies. Advanced optical signal processing
techniques and devices are capable of generating distortionless high-frequency analog carrier signals
which are necessary for high-capacity wireless data communication links.

Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. Western Sydney University Library, on 07 Dec 2019 at 20:21:41, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at
https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316661505.010