Radio Propagation Emulation Using Radio Over Multi-Mode Fiber Systems

We propose and evaluate the radio propagation emulation using radio over fiber technology with a multi-mode optical fiber (MMF). The radio over MMF can provide the multi-path channels by a differential mode delay (DMD), which is caused by the spatial multi-mode transmission. The DMD of a typical OM3-standard MMF of 0.2 ps/m can be used for fixed wireless system channels under conditions with four reflections in the radio space. The step-index MMF with a DMD of 70 ps/m will be suitable for indoor channels. The selection of suitable DMD of the fiber provides reasonable spaces for millimeter-wave radio propagation characteristics.