International Journal Of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 7, Issue 7, July-2016 377

ISSN 2229-5518

Radio over Fiber Technology

Tahira Javed, Fatima Amin

Abstract— Radio-over-fiber (RoF) is an integration of microwave and optical networks for wireless access. It is a promising technology
competent to provide simple antenna front ends, greater wireless access coverage and capacity. RoF system has been dependant on well
established technology for base band signals, based on direct detection and intensity modulated links, enable to provide implementation of
very low cost. This baseband optical communication with digital signals processing allows advanced modulation formats to be used. The
ample advantages of using an optical fiber such as its light weight, less loss, larger bandwidth, tiny size and low cost of cable makes it
most suitable for transporting radio signals to antenna sites efficiently, situated remotely in a wireless network.

Index Terms— Centralized station, Fiber optic links, IF-over-Fiber, Low-attenuation, Microwave signals, Optical frequency Multiplexing,
RF-over-fiber, Radio Frequency amplification, Sub-carrier Multiplexing, Wavelength Division Multiplexing.

——————————  ——————————

1 INTRODUCTION
The network structure of RoF consists of a Centralized station The Lower power consumption, lower power radiated elec-
(CS) which performs modulation, demodulation, medium tromagnetic wave, fibre low attenuation and less loss reduce
access control (MAC) coding, routing and other processing’s. the maintenance cost. Due to the simple structure of BS, it is
The Centralized Station is connected to several BSs through a highly reliable and system maintenance has become simple.
fibre optic. Coverage can be provided by Radio over fibre systems in
The most important task of BS is the transformation of optical those areas where direct reception is less effective, like huge

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signal into wireless signals and vice versa [2]. It also performs buildings or basements. [2]
RF amplification. For the distribution of Radio Frequency sig-
nals between the Base Station and Centralized station, highly 2.2 Indoor and Outdoor Enviroments
linear fibre optic links are used [4]. Moreover, this centralized In indoor environments, because of the electromagnetic prop-
configuration can allow the delicate equipments to be kept in a erties, the em field is restricted by the walls. In outdoor envi-
much safer environment. The spreading of radio signals can ronments, especially at frequencies around 60 GHz, an addi-
be classified into wave modulated mm optic signals “RF over tional attenuation is necessary as oxygen absorption limits the
fibre” or lower frequency sub carriers “IF over fibre”. The am- transmission range. Both the cases result in small cell as com-
ple advantage of RF over fibre is that the design of BS is much pared to microwave bands such as 2.4 or 5 GHz, requiring
simplified. However, the distance of transmission can be li- numerous BSs to be deployed to cover a broad service area.
mited severely, if the BS is susceptible to fibre chromatic dis-
persion. When it comes to Intermediate frequency signals, it is
not very susceptible to fibre chromatic dispersion, additionally 2.3 A Single fiber with Multiple Services
it requires and electronic hardware like a local oscillator for One of the greatest motivations to RoF is that is its transparen-
frequency up and frequency down inversion. [1] cy to protocol and radio interface format which includes mod-
ulation, RF, bit rate etc. Therefore, a single fibre can support
2 MOTIVATION multiple services simultaneously. Larger transmissions dis-
tances between the Centralized Station and Base Station are
2.1 Insenstivity to Electromagnetic Radiation possible. The system has an immense potential to support
RoF was first implemented for a cordless telephone service in high capacity and wireless access networks which are cost
1990. The insensitivity of fibre optic cables to electromagnetic effective. The centralized network architecture in RoF technol-
radiation is a major benefit in their implementation as the ogy allows capacity allocation and dynamic radio resource
backbone of a wireless network. A copper coaxial cable has configuration. Furthermore, centralized upgrading is also
previously been the traditional link between the radio base possible.
station (RBS) and the antenna. Using an optical fibre cable
2.4 Low Attenuation
———————————————— Another motivation for RoF was that the attenuation is low,
• Fatima Amin is currently pursuing bachelor’s degree program in Telecom- lowest attenuation is 0.2dB/km at 1.55 µm band. Due to this
munication engineering in University of Engineering and Technology, low attenuation much greater distances are achievable without
Taxila, Pakistan, E-mail: [email protected] the use of repeaters. The attenuation is not dependent on the
• Tahira Javed is currently pursuing bachelor’s degree program in Telecom-
munication engineering in University of Engineering and Technology, modulation frequency. [3]
Taxila, Pakistan, E-mail: [email protected]

instead, makes the design of new sites, as well as the physical

deployment of the hardware much easier.
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International Journal Of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 7, Issue 7, July-2016 378
ISSN 2229-5518
3 SOME EMINENT BENEFITS
4.2 WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing)
1) The large RF propagation loss at the bands of BS can
reduce the cell size. [4]
It is passive device that combines signals of light with differ-
ent wavelengths coming from multiple fibres to one fibre. This
2) The spectrum utilization efficiency can be improved
requires DWDM i.e. dense wavelength division multiplexers.
by increasing the frequency reuse factor which can be
Analog (optical) techniques of multiplexing are being used by
achieved in this technology. [4]
these devices for increasing the capacity of carrying of net-
works of fibre above levels, which are achieved using TDM
3) Simpler, smaller size & low-cost base stations.
(time division multiplexing). RoF signals distribution illu-
strated in figure using WDM is becoming importance nowa-
4) Because of the smaller cells, higher bandwidth is al-
days. Efficient utilization of the bandwidth of fibre network is
located to end-users.
being enabled. Such systems are able to achieve capacities of 1
Tb/s for a single fibre. Single channel has bit rates raised to 10
5) Could be accommodated with passive optical net-
Gb/s and 40 Gb/s channel rates of systems are available at
work (PON) Infrastructures.
commercial level. Spacing of channel can be reduced to 50
GHz or even to 25 GHz that makes possible the usage of
6) Can use multiple techniques including wavelength
channels, hundred in number. But, if the 50 GHz rather than
division multiplexing (WDM) technique for improv-
100 GHz is the reduction in spacing of channel will make up-
ing the network throughput.
grading of the systems that are operating at 40 Gb/s much
harder because of the effects that are non-linear in nature. [5]

4 METHODS

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Three methods are discussed below through which this
technology can be implemented.

4.1 SCM (Subcarrier Multiplexing)

Optical subcarrier multiplexing is a system in which more

than one signals are being multiplexed in the domain of radio
frequency and then being transmitted using a single wave-
length. Its advantage is that devices with microwave are more
mature as compared to optical devices. Selection of frequency
in a microwave filter and stability are much better in a micro-
wave oscillator as compared to optical. Coherent detection
becomes easier in the radio frequency domain because of RF
oscillators with low phase noise as compared to in optical do-
main and modulation formats that are advanced are applica-
ble simply. A common application of this scheme is analog
cable television in fiber optic systems. [5] Fig2

4.3 Optical Frequency Multiplexing

This RoF technique is cost-effective and flexible which enables

multiple functions needed for supporting systems for access-
ing wireless. RoF distribution antenna systems based on OFM
are being merged smoothly with broadband accessing net-
works that are similar to WDM-PON that allows a conver-
gence of optical fibre’s high capacity and flexible access in
wireless. Antenna systems for RoF distribution in which there
is generation of radio signals at a remote central station (CS)
and then transparent distribution to numerous antenna sta-
tions (AS) by making use of optical fiber. The key objective of
RoF systems is overcoming the capacity bottleneck in access of
wireless networks, reduced cost of infrastructure and allowing
a flexible merging with conventional optical accessing net-
works at the similar time. For designing infrastructure-using
RoF based access, which is reliable, Radio over fibre tech-
niques should have capability of generating microwave sig-
Fig1 IJSER © 2016
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International Journal Of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 7, Issue 7, July-2016 379
ISSN 2229-5518
nals and allow a reliable transmission using the optical link. which mainly involves the radio wave communications.
This technique of RoF is able to satisfy these two essential
needs by generation of the microwave signals by usage of a 3)Modified MV signals had to stand available at the input of Ra-
single laser source and low frequency as well. As compared to dio over Fiber system, which then conveyed them over a distance
other RoF techniques, the principle is a method tolerant in to the RS in the form of optical Radio over Fiber networks.
dispersion that generates microwave frequencies optically and
delivers wireless signals to a distant antenna stations as well. 5.3 General Applications
[5] 1) Another application of Radio over Fiber is that it delivers wire-
less exposure in the area where the wireless signals cannot ap-
proach, these areas also known as “red zones”. For example, the
areas under huge assemblies, behind erections or the forests.

2) The highest data rates are available in band frequency. Com-

munication quality of band is greatly reliant on climate. Accord-
ing to the climate conditions the parameters are selected. In these
severe adverse climates, Radio over Fiber broadcast structures are
selected because it consumes less cost and have good quality

6 QUALITY PARAMETERS

6.1 Bit Error Rate

BER may be affected by transmission channel noise, interfe-
Fig3
rence, distortion, bit synchronization problems, attenuation,

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wireless multipath fading. The BER may be improved by
choosing strong signal strength or choosing a slow and robust
5 APPLICATIONS modulation scheme. From the various studies it shows that the
Radio over fibre is a vast technology and its applications can BER for a multimode fiber, the bit rate is more. As the length
be found in a numbers of areas. [6] of the fiber increases the pulse broadening increases and hence
decreases the bit rate. Analog ROF and digital ROF links are
5.1 4th generation compared and it can be concluded that BER of Digital link is
1) Fourth Generation would arrange least bit rate for broadband less as compare to Analog link and hence has superior per-
amenities i.e., 20 Mbps for indoor solicitations. Radio over fiber is formance.BER of BPSK is seen to be less than QPSK and 16
used in indoor communication. QAM in Analog as well as Digital Link. BPSK stands out for
its BER even though it is spectrally less efficient. Though noise
2) 2Mega b/s for outdoor solicitation even with high Fundamen- robustness of BPSK is a little higher than that of 16 QAM, but
tal mobility.ROF is used also in outdoor communication. spectral efficiency 16 QAM is better choice for Digital Link.
Digital Radio over Fiber shows improved performance over
3) Two systems that are much interesting in mobile communica- Analog link [5].
tion field are 4G and (Intelligent Transport System)
6.2 Scattering
4) Concept in 4th Generation cellular structure is cell optimiza- One of the major impairments is stimulated Brillouin scatter-
tion. In its structure, the key technology in path automobile ing. SBS limits the amount of optic power that can be inserted
communication structure is Radio over Fiber, in which several into the fibre without affecting the quality of the signal. In
base stations are prepared along the trunk path in order to con- RoF, if we choose a segmented single mode fibre, then the
nect with automobiles. transmission can be strongly suppressed. If the input power
into a fiber reaches a critical value known as the SBS threshold
5) The foremost source of noise and distortion in Radio over Fiber (SBST), both the amount of backscattered optical power and
is laser basis. generated noise quickly increase with the input power. There-
fore, SBS imposes limitations on the amount of optical power
6) By analyzing the appropriate laser basis which has right stabil- that can be launched into the fiber without degrading the sig-
ity between charge and performance, the indoor Radio over Fiber nal quality. Recently, there have been investigations on PON
technology basically can be applied systems for radio signal distribution that target applications
like 3G cellular and WiMax service distribution, with SBS be-
5.2 Wireless Access ing the key limiting factor to stimulated Brillouin scattering in
1) In initial ROF structures, Radio over fiber technology is mainly radio-over-fiber transmission can be strongly suppressed with
used to transport the microwave signal and to achieve mobility. the proper choice of a segmented single-mode optical fiber. [5]

2) Radio over fibre technology is also used for the wireless access
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 International Journal Of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 7, Issue 7, July-2016 380
ISSN 2229-5518
6.3 Carrier to Noise Ratio very initial work. Currently, the architectures and techniques
Modulator bias control in narrowband links can also be used being used in RoF are very diverse and identification of some
to increase the CNR and the dynamic range. Dynamic range sufficient solutions are must needed. [5]
is improved because the bias variations do not increase the
odd-order nonlinearities, which are the only ones affecting
narrowband signals such as those used in 802.11a/g systems. 8 CONCLUSION
In such a link, because the CNR improvement is maximum, if
link CNR is limited by laser intensity noise or by saturation In this paper we introduced the basic concept of Radio over
of the detector, the optical power over the fiber can be high Fiber Technology. The motivation and major benefits of this
enough to excite nonlinear effects including stimulated Bril- technology were illustrated briefly. The main modulation
louin scattering (SBS). SBS is a serious impairment for signals schemes were discussed along with their quality parameters.
with narrow optical spectrum: it limits the power that can be We conclude that RoF is a flexible and costeffective technique
transmitted on a single-mode fiber. Optical carrier by control- that enables multiple functionalities required for the support
ling the modulator bias can lead to simultaneous optimiza- of wireless access systems. Surely there are many challenges
tion of RF gain and suppression of SBS-induced noise.[5] that are being faced by the RoF technology but it vividly has a
wide scope and in the future.
6.4 Dispersion
RoF that builds broadband wireless and wired connectivity ACKNOWLEDGMENT
has become a promising application area for analog optical
The authors wish to thank their parents for their full support.
links. As in this frequency band employed moving to the mi-
We owe a huge amount of gratitude to Engr.Mohsan Niaz and
crowave and millimeter-wave bands, the performance will be
Dr. Mehwish Javed for their motivatation and support.
distinctly deteriorated by the chromatic distance especially
for extended distance. Chromatic dispersion compensation
scheme using parallel electro-optic phase and intensity mod- REFERENCES

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6. http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnu
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7.2 Architecture’s Cost

Optical infrastructure mutualisation between the different
network kinds having different evolutions arise RoF in access
networks. There is a need of developing a scenario over cur-
rent Access Networks architectures for using RoF. Cost sav-
ings demonstration is the challenge that should be compre-
hended today for usage of RoF for the deployment of Wireless
access and Mobile with present optical infrastructures. [5]

7.3 Standardization
There is lack of standardization in RoF. For millimetre-wave
and photonic converter to microwave, which are used in
communication systems of RoF, the standard specifying mea-
surement methods are being established and maintained by
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