Radio Over Fiber Technologies for Future G Networks

The use of fiber-optic links for transporting radio signals in wireless networks is a well-established technology and the convergence of optical and wireless networks continues to evolve. Fiber-optic remoting of radio signals is used in a diversity of wireless networks, including indoor/in-building distributed antenna systems and outdoor cellular networks. Today the capabilities of wireless networks are progressing more rapidly than ever. The proliferation of connected high-capacity smart devices as well as the increase in the number of broadband multi-media services available to the consumer, has led to an escalating demand for wireless access to high-speed data communications. The next generation 5G/6G network promises to deliver unprecedented data rates to the mobile user and the millimeter-wave frequency region is being actively pursued for the provision of these services. This talk will describe some of the challenges and opportunities for radio-over-fiber technologies in emerging Future G wireless systems.