光・無線融合を目指す光ファイバ無線システムの展開とインフラ応用

抄録

Seamless convergence between radio and optical fiber networks is indispensable for achieving such advanced radio access schemes as 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems. Radio-over-fiber (RoF) technology is a promising solution to efficiently convert radio signals into optical signals in a physical layer and vice versa. RoF systems have already been installed as compensation for radio dead zones on metro subway lines, mountain areas, high-rise buildings, and so on. The advantages of the RoF are based on a low loss feature of optical fibers, the broad bandwidth capacity of the optical signals, and low immunity to existing radio services due to the encapsulation of radio signals into optical carriers. In this paper, we introduce RoF technology following millimeter-wave and terahertz-wave signal generation empowered by a photonics technique and its application to such public infrastructure as high-speed railway and radio-relay systems.