Millimeter-Wave Wireless Data Distribution System Using Polymer Fiber Waveguide

This work presents a wireless data distribution system for operation at millimeter-wave (mm-wave) frequencies. The system aims to avoid gaps in the wireless line-of-sight coverage in areas with otherwise prohibitive shadowing effects caused by obstacles and walls. Dual-polarized polymer dielectric fiber is proposed for low-loss signal distribution over distances of 10 m and more. Multiple directive metal clip antennas can be attached to the polymer fiber to couple a part of the guided wave energy with radiated waves. The given experimental proof uses a data stream conforming to the IEEE 802.11ad WLAN standard in a single 60-GHz frequency band; 6.93 Gbps is transmitted over 10 m of fiber plus 2 m wirelessly at low error vector magnitude (EVM). Furthermore, the possibility to communicate with three clip antennas placed at individual positions along a single fiber is demonstrated.