Abstract
Small-cell systems based on cloud radio access network (cloud-RAN) architecture
have been proposed as promising solutions to meet the capacity demand of the
future wireless access networks in a cost-effective and power-efficient way.
High-speed and scalable backhaul links between the centralized baseband processing
units (BBUs) and the remote antenna units (RAUs) are very important to support
the small-cell cloud-RAN. Conventionally, digital baseband I/Q samples are
transmitted in the cloud-RAN backhaul, which puts stringent requirements on
backhaul bandwidth, latency, and jitter. In this paper, we propose a novel
multi-service small-cell wireless access architecture based on radio-over-fiber
technologies (cloud-RoF access network). By utilizing analog radio frequency
(RF) signal transmission in the optical backhaul links, high-speed data transmission
can be achieved with highly simplified RAU design. In addition, by combing
RoF with optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) techniques, multiple
bands, multiple services and multiple operators can coexist in a shared optical
infrastructure without interference. Two-operator coexistence in a shared
small-cell cloud-RoF access network is demonstrated in an in-building testbed
by using off-the-shelf optoelectronic components and commercialized WiMAX
base stations and clients. In addition, the feasibility of delivering both
conventional wireless services and future-proof millimeter-wave services is
also demonstrated in the proposed multi-service small-cell cloud-RoF access
system.
© 2013 IEEE
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