Quantum Dash Multi-Wavelength Lasers for Next Generation High Capacity Multi-Gb/s Millimeter-Wave Radio-over-Fiber Wireless Communication Networks

The ever-increasing proliferation of mobile users and new technologies with different applications and features, and the demand for reliable high-speed high capacity, pervasive connectivity and low latency have initiated a roadmap for the next generation wireless networks, fifth generation (5G), which is set to revolutionize the existing wireless communications. 5G will use heterogeneous higher carrier frequencies from the plentifully available spectra in the higher microwave and millimeter-wave (MMW) bands, including licensed and unlicensed spectra, for achieving multi-Gb/s wireless connectivity and overcoming the existing wireless spectrum crunch in the sub-6 GHz bands, resulting from the tremendous growth of data-intensive technologies and applications. The use of MMW when complemented by multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) technology can significantly increase data capacity through spatial multiplexing, and improve coverage and system reliability through spatial diversity. However, high-frequency MMW signals are prone to extreme propagation path loss and are challenging to generate and process with conventional bandwidth-limiting electronics. In addition, the existing digitized fronthaul for centralized radio access network (C-RAN) architecture is considered inefficient for 5G and beyond. Thus, to fully exploit the promising MMW 5G new radio (NR) resource and to alleviate the electronics and fronthaul bottleneck, microwave photonics with analog radio-over-fiber (A-RoF) technology becomes instrumental for optically synthesizing and processing broadband RF MMW wireless signals over optical links. The generation and distribution of high-frequency MMW signals in the optical domain over A-RoF links facilitate the seamless integration of high-capacity, reliable and transparent optical networks with flexible, mobile and pervasive wireless networks, extending the reach and coverage of high-speed broadband MMW wireless communications. Consequently, this fiber-wireless integration not only overcomes the problem of high bandwidth requirements, transmission capacity and span limitation but also significantly reduces system complexity considering the deployment of ultra-dense small cells with large numbers of 5G remote radio units (RRUs) having massive MIMO antennas with beamforming capabilities connected to the baseband units (BBU) in a C-RAN environment through an optical fiber-based fronthaul network. Nevertheless, photonic generation of spectrally pure RF MMW signals either involves complex circuitry or suffers from frequency fluctuation and phase noise due to uncorrelated optical sources, which can degrade system performance. Thus simple highly integrated and cost-efficient low-noise optical sources are required for next-generation MMW RoF wireless transmission systems. More recently, well-designed quantum confined nanostructures such as semiconductor quantum dash/dot multi-wavelength lasers (QD-MWLs) have attracted more interest in the photonic generation of RF MMW signals due to their simple compact and integrated design with highly coherent and correlated optical signals having a very low phase and intensity noise attributed to the inherent properties of QD materials. The main theme of this thesis revolves around the experimental investigation of such nanostructures on the device and system level for applications in high-speed high-capacity broadband MMW RoF-based fronthaul and wireless access networks. Several photonic-aided high-capacity long-reach MMW RoF wireless transmission systems are proposed and experimentally demonstrated based on QD-MWLs with the remote distribution and photonic generation of broadband multi-Gb/s MMW wireless signals at 5G NR (FR2) in the K-band, Ka-band and V-band in simplex, full-duplex and MIMO configurations over 10 to 50 km optical fiber and subsequent wireless transmission and detection. The QD-MWLs-based photonic MMW RoF wireless transmission systems’ designs and experimental demonstrations could usher in a new era of ultra-high-speed broadband multi-Gb/s wireless communications at the MMW frequency bands for next-generation wireless networks. The QD-MWLs investigated in this thesis include a simple monolithically integrated and highly coherent low-noise single-section semiconductor InAs/InP QD buried heterostructure passively mode-locked (PML) laser-based optical coherent frequency comb (CFC) and a novel monolithic highly correlated low-noise semiconductor InAs/InP buried heterostructure common-cavity QD dual-wavelength distributed feedback laser (QD-DW-DFBL). The performance of each device is thoroughly characterized experimentally in terms of optical phase noise, relative intensity noise (RIN), timing jitter and RF phase noise exhibiting promising results. Based on these devices, different long-reach photonic MMW RoF wireless transmission systems, including simplex single-input-single-output (SISO) and multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) and bidirectional configurations, are proposed and experimentally demonstrated with real-time remote electrical RF synthesizer-free all-optical frequency up-conversion, wireless transmission and successful reception of wide-bandwidth multi-level quadrature amplitude modulated (M-QAM) RF MMW wireless signals having bit rates ranging from 4 Gb/s to 36 Gb/s over different hybrid fiber-wireless links comprising of standard single mode fiber (SSMF) and indoor wireless channel. The end-to-end links are thoroughly investigated in terms of error-vector-magnitude (EVM), bit-error-rat (BER), constellations and eye diagrams, realizing successful error-free transmission. Finally, novel high-capacity spectrally efficient MIMO and optical beamforming enabled photonic MMW RoF wireless transceivers design and methods based on QD-MWLs with wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and space division multiplexing (SDM) are proposed and discussed. A proof-of-concept implementation of the proposed photonic MMW RoF wireless transmission system is also simulated in a simple WDM-based configuration with bidirectional 4×4 MIMO MMW carrier streams

Performance improvement and cost reduction techniques for radio over fiber communications

Advanced cost reduction and performance improvement techniques conceived for Radio Over Fiber (ROF) communications are considered. ROF techniques are expected to form the backbone of the future 5G generation of wireless networks. The achievable link performance and the associated deployement cost constitute the most salient metrics of a ROF architecture. In this paper, we commence by providing a rudimentary overview of the ROF architecture and then elaborate on ROF techniques designed for improving the attainable system performance. We conclude by describing the ROF techniques conceived for reducing the ROF system installation costs

Radio over fibre distribution systems for ultra-wide band and millimetre wave applications

Short range wireless technology such as ultra-wideband (UWB) and 60 GHz millimetre wave (mm-wave) play a key role for wireless connectivity in indoor home, office environment or large enclosed public areas. UWB has been allocated at the frequency band 3.1-10.6 GHz with an emission power below -41.3 dBm. Mm-wave signals around 60 GHz have also attracted much attention to support high-speed data for short range wireless applications. The wide bandwidth and high allowable transmit power at 60 GHz enable multi-Gbps wireless transmission over typical indoor distances. Radio-over-fibre (RoF) systems are used to extend the propagation distance of both UWB and mm-wave signals over hundred of meters inside a building. UWB or mm-wave signals over fibre can be generated first at the central office before being distributed to the remote access points through optical fibre. In this work, we investigate two new techniques to generate and distribute UWB signals. These techniques are based on generating Gaussian pulse position modulation (PPM) using a gain switched laser (GSL). The simulation and experimental results have been carried out to show the suitability of employing gain switching in UWB over fibre systems (UWBoF) to develop a reliable, simple, and low cost technique for distributing UWB pulses. The second part of this work proposes two configurations for optical mm-wave generation and transmission of 3 Gbps downstream data based on GSL. We investigate the distribution of these two methods over fibre with wireless link, and demonstrate the system simplicity and cost efficiency for mm-wave over fibre systems. Both configurations are simulated to verify our obtained results and show system performance at higher bit rates. In the third part, we generate phase modulated mm-waves by using an external injection of a modulated light source into GSL. The performance of this system is experimentally investigated and simulated for different fiber links

60 GHz photonic millimeter-wave communication systems

Currently available copper-based Internet access technologies like xDSL and DOCSIS cover data transmission speeds in the range of some 10 Mb/s. With new applications, an increase in bandwidth demand up to the Gb/s-range is expected for the next years. Therefore, an evolution of access networks by gradual replacement of copper-based by fiber-optic infrastructure is presently ongoing. A similar development can be predicted for wireless access technology operating within the classical microwave range. Due to regulatory requirements and a lack of bandwidth alternatives need to be developed in the millimeter-wave band. In this regard, the frequency range around 60 GHz has a special importance due to a worldwide available unlicensed spectrum of several GHz of bandwidth. In this context, the integration of wireless networks in fiber-optic networks by the fiber-optic transport of the radio signal (radio-over-fiber, RoF) is of particular importance. Besides the low-loss optical transport of a 60 GHz radio signal RoF technology furthermore allows to shift complexity from base stations to a central office by a centralized provision of the millimeter-wave carrier. This work deals with the modeling, realization and characterization of 60 GHz RoF systems providing data rates within the multi-Gb/s range. On the theoretical side, a system model has been developed comprising relevant electrical and optical noise sources and the transmission properties of fiber-optic and wireless links as well. This allows for instance to make reliable predictions of the expected system performance in the run-up to RoF system planning and thus to identify optimization potential. Using innovative approaches and technologies, 12.5 Gb/s data transmission has been realized via fiber and wirelessly for the first time over technical relevant distances. Also, if compared to conventional RoF systems the dispersion-limited fiber-optic range has been multiplied. Another RoF system in the frame of this work aimed for an uncompressed HDTV transmission, for instance for video conferencing with high resolution (1080p) and extremely low latency (telemedicine). The wireless transmission of an uncompressed HDTV signal has been successfully demonstrated. Including the previously achieved results and experiences, the system complexity has been significantly reduced

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing for optical access networks

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is a modulation scheme with numerous advantages that has for years been employed as the leading physical interface in many wired and wireless communication systems. Recently, with advancements made in digital signal processing, there has been a surge of interest in applying OFDM techniques for optical communications. This thesis presents extensive research on optical OFDM and how it is being applied in access networks. With the aid of theoretical analysis, simulations and experiments, it is shown that the system performance of direct-detection optical OFDM (DD-OOFDM) in the presence of MZM non-linear distortion can be improved by proper biasing and selection of appropriate drive to the MZM. Investigations are conducted to illustrate how a variation in the number of subcarriers and the modulation format influences the sensitivity of the DD-OOFDM system to the MZM non-linear distortion. The possibility of improving the spectral efficiency by reduction of the width of the guard band is also investigated. This thesis also looks into the radio-over-fibre (RoF) transmission of Multiband OFDM UWB as a transparent and low-cost solution for distributing multi-Gbit/s data to end-users in FTTH networks. Due to relaxed regulatory requirements and the wide bandwidth available, UWB operation in the 60-GHz band is also considered for this FTTH application scenario. Four techniques for enabling MB-OFDM UWB RoF operation in the 60-GHz band are experimentally demonstrated. The impacts of various parameters on the performance of the techniques as well as the limitations imposed by fibre distribution are illustrated. Finally, a digital pre-distorter is proposed for compensating for the MZM non-linearity. Experimental demonstration of this digital pre-distortion in an UWB over fibre transmission system shows an increased tolerance to the amplitude of the driving OFDM signal as well as an increase in the optimum modulation index of the OFDM signal