Studying an Optimal Approach to Distribute Signals through Fiber-Wireless Fronthaul Network

Abstract

We compare the three options of distributing signals through fifth-generation fronthaul communication network of fiber-wireless architecture with a wireless section operating in MMW-band: in baseband, in intermediatefrequency band, and in radio-frequency band. In the result, the advantage of effective application for intermediatefrequency band transmission are defined and confirmed by a simulation. The study showed that even in the lower part of the MMW-band, the standard for 64-QAM EVM limit was achieved when the maximum length of the fiber-optics link was 3 times shorter compared to transmission at IF-band even when using the most promising type of optical modulator.