Demonstration of IFoF-Based Mobile Fronthaul in 5G Prototype With 28-GHz Millimeter wave

Abstract

In this study, we demonstrate the intermediate-frequency-over-fiber (IFoF) based mobile fronthaul technology implemented in a 28-GHz millimeter-wave (mmWave) based 5G prototype supporting Giga-bit mobile broadband services. In order to confirm the technical feasibility of the proposed IFoF-based mobile fronthaul, the clock signal for frequency synchronization and mobile payload data are simultaneously transmitted in the form of IF carriers. Phase noise and error vector magnitude measurements were performed on separate and simultaneous clock transmission paths, respectively. The results confirm an acceptable impact on performance, and the simultaneous clock transmission method reduces system costs and complexity, and improves the flexibility and efficiency of wavelength operation. We also successfully demonstrate the operation of real-time Giga-bit mobile services such as 4K video streaming over IFoF-based mobile fronthaul for 5G prototypes with a 28-GHz mmWave. The achieved peak data-rate per user is up to 1.5 Gb/s, which complies with the requirements of the 5G vision of IMT-2020.