Quasi-Passive Reconfigurable Node for 5G Mobile Optical Backhaul Networks

A novel multi-dimensional quasi-passive reconfigurable (MD-QPAR) node for 5G mobile backhaul optical WDM mesh networks is proposed in this paper. The proposed MD-QPAR is capable of providing dynamic power and wavelength allocations for signals from any input port(s) to any output port(s). Each input/output port is connected to one possible direction or the local wireless nodes, and hence, the data rate, flexibility, robustness, and reliability requirements in 5G backhaul networks can be satisfied. In addition, the MD-QPAR is “quasi-passive,” where it only consumes power during network reconfigurations and there is no power consumption during steady-state operations, to enable high energy efficiency. Three possible MD-QPAR structures are proposed and studied. Simulations under the optical Flow traffic assumption are carried out and the signal blocking probability and the scalability are investigated. Proof-of-concept experiments are also undertaken and the MD-QPAR with Structure II is demonstrated. Results show that dynamic power and wavelength distributions from any input port(s) to any output port(s) can be realized, and the power penalty due to the MD-QPAR is limited to <0.5 dB.