Silicon Photonics Enabling 5G Optical Networks over PON Infrastructures

Achieving the great leap forward in capacity targeted by 5G requires radio access networks to provide connectivity across multiple antenna sites. That connectivity relies on optical fronthaul with sufficient capacity. We discuss the use of analog radio over fiber signals in an optical access network equipped with a smart edge. We can minimize interference and maximize throughput at the edge of the network by collocating platforms that coordinate wireless transmissions. Silicon photonics provides a hardware platform well adapted to support optical fronthaul to increase capacity via radio over fiber, while keeping optical transceiver costs low. We highlight several issues in adopting silicon photonics and cite recent demonstrations in this area.