Fiberoptic Antenna Feeding

• Research unit: COST
• Project number: C97.0053

Key words (English)

MICROWAVE PHOTONICS; ANTENNA FEEDING

Research programs (English)

COST-Action 259 - Wireless Flexible personalized Communications

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

A, B, CH, D, DK, E, F, FIN, GR, I, IRL, N, NL, PL, P, S, Sl, UK

Abstract (English)

The demand for broadband digital services has extended to mobile communications. The provision of increased link capacity can be achieved in future through a network operated at millimeter-wave carrier frequencies. The technique of fibre-optic antenna feeding can enable small and low-cost stations. The project at the ETHZ in the frame of the European Action COST 259 was directed towards the optical generation and transmission of millimetre-wave signals intended for antenna remote feeding. A novel approach to optical millimeter-wave transmission based on laser heterodyne was examined and implemented. The millimetre-wave radio signals are optically created in a central station are then transmitted via fibre to the various antenna base stations. There, the optical signal is just converted into an electrical one in a photodetector and subsequently radiated from the antenna. We have realised a new antenna feeding scheme based on a novel type of optical transmitter that uses a dual-polarisation, dual-frequency emitting external cavity laser diode developed in our Institute. The beat-frequencies generated by the laser mode photomixing were in the 60 GHz range. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated Bit Error Rates at various modulation formats compatible with real system requirements and thus the feasibility of this new technique. The results were dissiminated through publications and workshops in COST 259 and other major conferences.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: COST-DB of the State Secretariat for Education and Research Hallwylstrasse 4 CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland Tel. [phone] Swiss Project-Number: C97.0053