We propose and experimentally demonstrate a photonics-assisted converged radio-over-fiber (RoF), radio-over-free-space optics (RoFSO) and millimeter-wave (MMW) wireless transmission system for use in broadband wireless access (BWA) networks. The focus is at the emerging frequency band of 25 GHz, as recommended for fifth-generation networks. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, all-optical up-converted long-term evolution test models with 4-, 16- and 64-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) are transmitted and evaluated over the proposed hybrid link under weak-to-strong atmospheric turbulence regimes. Link performance shows that, the error vector magnitudes are below the 3GPP standard for 4-, 16- and 64-QAM. We also show that, for all QAM signals under turbulence conditions, the bit error rate performance is below the forward error correction limit of ${10^{ - 3}}$ . Simulation analysis is also performed for the 10 Gb/s hybrid systems under turbulence for an extended FSO link up to 500 m to emulate a practical outdoor environment. Furthermore, we analytically estimate the attainable MMW wireless range for different rain rates in Prague, Czech Republic. The obtained experimental and simulation results confirm the feasibility and potential of the proposed hybrid system for next-generation last mile BWA networks.
eng
dc.format.mimetype
application/pdf
dc.language.iso
eng
dc.publisher
IEEE LEOS JLT Editorial Office
dc.relation.ispartof
IEEE/OSA Journal of Lightwave Technology
dc.subject
Atmospheric turbulence
eng
dc.subject
free-space optics
eng
dc.subject
millimeter-wave communication
eng
dc.subject
radio-over-fiber
eng
dc.title
Seamless 25 GHz Transmission of LTE 4/16/64-QAM Signals Over Hybrid SMF/FSO and Wireless Link
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports/LT/LTC18008/CZ/Transmission of Millimeter Waves over Fiber and Free-space Optical Infrastructures/TraFFic
dc.relation.projectid
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/OPVVV/CZ.02.2.69%2F0.0%2F0.0%2F16_027%2F0008465/CZ/International Mobility of Researchers in CTU/