Opto-electronic oscillator in the mm-W range for 5G wireless and mobile networks: Design challenges and possible solutions

The forthcoming fifth generation (5G) of wireless and mobile technology is expected to use high-spectral-purity signals in the millimeter-wave (mm-W) range. The opto-electronic oscillator (OEO) is a well-known, low-phase-noise oscillator that is capable of generating high-frequency signals in the radio or microwave range, and can also be used in the mm-W range. In order to meet the high-spectral-purity demand of 5G wireless and mobile technology, the OEO is one of the most promising solutions for implementing the mm-W generation required in base-stations. Even though the OEO brings some advantages, there are also some challenges, which need to be fixed in order to produce a low-noise signal in the mm-W range efficiently. In this paper, information about OEO design issues, problems and possible solutions expected in mm-W applications will be explained and discussed.