Optically powered FiWi system for B5G hybrid VLC/RF access networks

Author(s)

Pinto, Felipe B. F. ; Souza, Leticia C. ; Andrade, Tomas P., V ; Lima, Eduardo S. ; Anderson, Evandro L. ; Portelinha Jr, Francisco M. ; Cerqueira Jr, S. Arismar

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Optics Express; v. 32, n. 17, p. 13-pg., 2024-08-12.

Abstract

This paper proposes the concept and reports the demonstrator of an optically powered fiber/wireless (FiWi) system based on a hybrid visible light communication (VLC) and RF access network for beyond 5G (B5G) indoor applications. The power-over-fiber (PoF) technology is properly applied to simultaneously energize two components from the remote site, namely: a radio-over-fiber (RoF) module, which contains a photodetector and an RF amplifier; a red laser from the VLC system. The proposed PoF system is composed of a 500 m conventional multimode optical fiber (MMF) with a 62.5 mu m core diameter, which enables the transmission of up to 12 W optical power with a power transmission efficiency (PTE) of 14%. In the proof of concept, 8.1 W optical power is generated to feed the 5G system components. Regarding the communication setup, a 5G new radio (5G NR) signal is initially transported through a RoF fronthaul, composed of 10 km of single-mode fiber (SMF), followed by the hybrid VLC/RF access network. The performance investigation of the B5G communication system is based on an analysis of the 1.2 Gbps throughput in the VLC link using a 200 MHz bandwidth and 64-quadrature amplitude modulation (64-QAM), resulting in approximately 4.02% of EVMRMS. Moreover, the RF link at 3.5 GHz provides 360 Mbps with an EVMRMS of 2.67%. Finally, a comparison between the PoF system and conventional power supply validates the proposed approach's applicability for B5G wireless communications. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/09319-9 - Center of Science for Development in Digital Agriculture - CCD-AD/SemeAr
• Grantee: Silvia Maria Fonseca Silveira Massruhá
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Science Centers for Development
• FAPESP's process: 21/06569-1 - High-speed strategic internet technologies
• Grantee: Evandro Conforti
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants