CST Global proves multi-gigabit laser transmission
iBROW project shows that detuned 1270nm DFB lasers will be suitable for 5G, 60GHz, base-band over fibre applications
CST Global has successfully proven the feasibility of multi-gigabit data transmission, at a 1270nm carrier wavelength. The feasibility came as part of the EU Horizon 2020 research project, iBROW, (Innovative ultra-Broadband Ubiquitous Wireless Communications Through Tera-hertz Transceivers), led by the University of Glasgow and managed within CST Global by research engineer, Horacio Cantu.
Horacio Cantu explains: "The objective of the iBROW project is to establish the best Millimeter Wave (mmWave), ROF (base-band over fibre), ultra-broadband solution. The performance characteristics of 1270nm, detuned, in-plane, ridge waveguide, DFB, laser diodes demonstrated it is an ideal, ROF carrier wavelength. We previously showed that 1310nm was an effective, transmission wavelength. We are confident that this new technology will also be feasible at 1550nm, which will deliver an ultra-broadband, low-latency solution, extending transmission distances up to 25km."
ROF requires light to be modulated with radio-data, for optical transmission. It offers a huge, bandwidth increase over existing solutions and requires no digital to analogue (DAC) conversion, resulting in a low-latency solution.
CST Global has also commenced concurrent development of a wireless to optical link as part of the Innovate UK, WiPhi project (High performance wireless/photonic interfaces for 60 GHz radio-over-fibre applications) with partners Optocap and the University of Glasgow.
"The mmWave signal base-band is transmitted over the fibre-optic connection from an InP, mmWave transceiver, to the system core. We are working with our sister company, Sivers IMA, a mmWave specialist, to optimise a combined ROF, optical and mmWave solution. This will offer ultra-broadband in the V-band frequencies, within the mmWave spectrum, at 60GHz, which is one of the designated 5G network bands for telecommunication infrastructures," adds Cantu.
"More development is needed to establish a commercial, ultra-broadband, ROF solution that is low cost, energy-efficient, compact, operates at room temperature and integrates with 5G, fibre-optic network requirements."
