5G RAN architecture based on analog radio-over-fiber fronthaul over UDWDM-PON and phased array fed reflector antennas
Journal article, 2020

This manuscript introduces a 5G radio access network architecture concept based on ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing (UDWDM) and incorporating an optical fronthaul network that uses a novel wireless antenna system for radio frequency transmission and reception. A ring topology is proposed where optical signals travel within the 5G UDWDM passive optical networks and millimeter waves are generated in the optical line terminals by optical heterodyning. The wireless transmission of the millimeter waves is conducted by an innovative phased array fed reflector antenna approach for mobile communications that grants high antenna gain due to highly focused radiation characteristics, as well as multiplexing gain by multiple beam generation. Furthermore, beam steering is provided by a radio frequency analog beamformer network. Finally, implementation options synthesizing the total system are discussed.

Analog radio-over-fiber

mm-wave

Beam steering

5G

Reflector antennas

UDWDM PON

Author

Dimitrios Konstantinou

Thomas A.H. Bressner

Simon Rommel

U. Johannsen

Martin Johansson

Marianna Ivashina

A. Bart Smolders

Idelfonso Tafur Monroy

Optics Communications

0030-4018 (ISSN)

Vol. 454 124464

Subject Categories (SSIF 2011)

Telecommunications

Other Physics Topics

Communication Systems

DOI

10.1016/j.optcom.2019.124464

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4/6/2022 1