Ultra-wideband radio-over-optical fiber: Technologies and applications

This paper investigates the concepts, technologies and applications of ultra-wideband radio over optical fiber (UROOF) and provides overview of key results obtained through EC funded project UROOF. We study the theoretical aspects of the UROOF channel, and demonstrate experimentally, key features of this new technology, through a validation platform. UROOF envision that within 3-5 years, fiber optics will be widely spread for indoor residential applications, and the trend of using multimode fibers (MMF) for in-building small-office-home office (SOHO) will increase. The key drivers will be services that are required by the users: distribution of several streams of high definition TV, rich multimedia content, truly broadband connection to the infrastructure etc. Hence the great opportunity for UROOF technology for range extension applications will be available over the ldquoin-house fiber infrastructurerdquo. For this application scenario, WPAN, W-USB devices, Bluetooth 3.0 will be the natural surrounding that is embedded in users devices. UROOF will provide unique technology to enable the range extension of these inherently limited technologies.