Radio over Fiber (RoF) refers to a technology whereby light is modulated by a radio signal and transmitted over an optical fiber link to facilitate wireless access, such as 3G and WiFi simultaneous from the same antenna.[1] In other words, radio signals are carried over fiber optic cable. Thus, a single antenna can receive any and all radio signals (3G, 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 (3G, WiFi, cell) requires separate equipment at the location of the antenna.[1]
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, 3G 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.[1]
RoF transmission systems are usually classified into two main categories (RF-over-Fiber ; IF-over-Fiber) depending on the frequency range of the radio signal to be transported.
a) In RF-over-Fiber architecture, a data-carrying RF (Radio Frequency) signal with a high frequency is imposed on a lightwave signal before being transported over the optical link. Therefore, wireless signals are optically distributed to base stations directly at high frequencies and converted from the optical to electrical domain at the base stations before being amplified and radiated by an antenna. As a result, no frequency up/down conversion is required at the various base stations, thereby resulting in simple and rather cost-effective implementation is enabled at the base stations.[1]
b) In IF-over-Fiber architecture, an IF (Intermediate Frequency) radio signal with a lower frequency is used for modulating light before being transported over the optical link. Therefore, before radiation through the air, the signal must be up-converted to RF at the base station.