Radio over fiber

Applications range from the transmission of mobile radio signals (3G, 4G, 5G and WiFi) and the transmission of cable television signals (CATV) to the transmission of RF L-Band signals in ground stations for satellite communications. Low attenuation Signals transmitted on optical fiber attenuate much less than through other media like metal cables or wireless media. By using optical fiber, the radio signals can gap larger transmission distances, reducing the need of additional repeaters or amplifiers. In the area of Wireless Communications one main application is to facilitate wireless access, such as 5G and WiFi simultaneous from the same antenna. In other words, radio signals are carried over fiber-optic cable. Thus, a single antenna can receive any and all radio signals (5G, Wifi, cell, etc..) carried over a single-fiber cable to a central location where equipment then converts the signals; this is opposed to the traditional way where each protocol type (5G, WiFi, cell) requires separate equipment at the location of the antenna. Although radio transmission over fiber is used for multiple purposes, such as in cable television (CATV) networks and in satellite base stations, the term RoF is usually applied when this is done for wireless access. In RoF systems, wireless signals are transported in optical form between a central station and a set of base stations before being radiated through the air. Each base station is adapted to communicate over a radio link with at least one user's mobile station located within the radio range of said base station. The advantage is that the equipment for WiFi, 5G and other protocols can be centralized in one place, with remote antennas attached via fiber optic serving all protocols. It greatly reduces the equipment and maintenance cost of the network.