Next-generation OFDMA-based passive optical network architecture supporting radio-over-fiber

In this paper, we propose a novel architecture for next-generation orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA)-based passive optical networks (PON's), referred to as ROFPON. Besides carrying local broadband OFDMA data, ROFPON seamlessly supports radio-over-fiber (RoF) transports between the central office and multiple remote antennas at end users without using costly WDM lasers. We analytically and experimentally study the receiver sensitivity to OFDMA signals and the radio frequency (RF) signal's performance. By corroborating simulation results with experimental results, we discuss the determination of crucial system parameters, such as the optimal broadband-to-radio power ratio, and the exploitation of a notch filter for removing RF interference. Experimental results show that the integrated 10 Gb/s OFDMA and three 20 MHz RF signals are successfully transported both downstream and upstream over a 20 km single-mode-fiber PON. Finally, experimental results demonstrate that QPSK-encoded WiMAX format RF signals are transmitted/relayed upstream with E-O-E conversion at each optical network unit (ONU), and received error-free at the optical line terminal after cascading 32 ONU's.