2.333-Tbit/s bi-directional optical mobile networks using optical wireless communication (OWC)

Abstract We propose and experimentally demonstrate a 2.333-Tbit/s bi-directional optical mobile network using optical wireless communication (OWC). The proposed network architecture is divided into: fronthaul network connecting between the distributed-unit (DU) and the remote-radio-unit (RRU); and midhaul network connecting between the central unit (CU) and the DU. At the midhaul, an aggregated 2.333-Tbit/s transmission is achieved using wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) infrared (IR) based invisible light communication (IVLC). For the link between the RRU and user-equipment (UE), 2.7 Gbit/s white-light visible-light-communication (VLC) transmission is achieved for indoor 1.5 m transmission. It can provide communication and lighting simultaneously. A gateway (GW) is also proposed acting as the interface between the IVLC and VLC transmissions. In the proposed architecture, about 400 VLC end-users can be supported.