PCS network using subcarrier multiplexed fiber optic links: capabilities and limitations

Network infrastructure for PCS will play an important role because of the huge amount of investments involved. Among the access network, switching network, and signalling network, the paper focuses on the access network using a subcarrier multiplexed optical fiber link (SCMOL) between the small passive radio base station (PRBS) in each microcell and the central base station (CBS). First, the required number and size of the future microcells are quantified for a typical large city, like New York City. Then, the capacity of subcarrier multiplexed optical fiber link for microcellular environment is quantified in terms of the coverable cell radius by PRBS with SCMOL, and the length of the SCMOL. Finally, the growth of subscription ratio and its implication on the backbone network architecture is studied and possible solutions are suggested. It is shown that careful system design and network planning is required along with a suitable backbone network architecture in order to fully utilize the great potential of optical subcarrier multiplexing in PCS