A study of the effects of digital modulation and length of optical fiber in a Radio over Fiber (RoF) Communication System

Abstract

Radio over fiber (RoF) transmission has extensively been studied as a means to realizing a fiber optic wireless distribution network that enables seamless integration of the optical and wireless network infrastructures. Emerging wireless communication networks that support new broadband services provide increased opportunities for photonics technologies to play a prominent role in the realization of the next generation integrated optical/wireless networks. In this thesis, we present a review of recent developments in radio over fiber technologies that can support the distribution of broadband wireless signals in a converged optical/wireless network. We also describe some of the challenges for the successful application of radio over fiber technologies in future wireless systems, such as 5G and 60GHz networks. We have also investigated the effects of order of QAM modulation, the length of the optical fiber and the operating RF frequency on the performance of RoF system. It was found that bit error rate (BER) become minimum at 60GHz with 64 QAM with optical fiber length of 12-14 km.