Ultra-broadband photonics-based RF front-end toward 5G networks

• Published in: Journal of optical communications and networking Vol. 8; no. 11; pp. B35 - B42
• Main Authors: M. Muniz, A. L., Borges, R. M., Da Silva, Regivan N., Noque, D. F., Cerqueira, Arismar S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Piscataway Optica Publishing Group 01.11.2016; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: 5G networks; Cellular; Microwavephotonics; Optical-wireless networks; Amplification; Broadband; Fiber nonlinear optics; Four-wave mixing; Frequencies; Modulation; Multiplication; Optical communication; Optical fibers; Optical frequency; Optical mixing; Photonics; Radio frequency; Signal to noise ratio; Upconversion; Wireless networks
• ISSN: 1943-0620; 1943-0639
• DOI: 10.1364/JOCN.8.000B35

We propose the concept and report the development of an ultra-broadband photonics-based RF front-end, as well as its experimental digital performance analysis up to 38 GHz. The proposed RF front-end applies optical frequency multiplication based on the external modulation technique and the optical nonlinear effect four-wave mixing for enabling a combination of photonicassisted RF upconversion and amplification, regardless of frequency operation. We present ultra-broadband operation and frequency tunability from DC to 38 GHz by simultaneously performing RF conversion and amplification in the optical domain. The experimental results of a successful implementation in a real wireless-optical network demonstrate the RF front-end applicability in the three potential frequency bands for 5G networks, namely, 6.0, 28, and 38 GHz. Furthermore, a detailed digital performance investigation using different modulation formats is presented based on diverse RF and optical parameters, including signal-to-noise ratio, RF gain, and error vector magnitude. Low phase noise, spectral purity, and distortion absence are also observed for all frequency bands.