Photonics for broadband radio communications at 60 GHz in Access and Home Networks

In this paper, we analyse and demonstrate the use of photonic functions to fulfill the requirements of 60 GHz broadband radio communication systems for access and home area networks. In the access domain, high capacity mmW radio systems are used as point to point links for mobile backhaul or as bridges between fixed transport networks. We demonstrate first the provision of 10 GbE compatible point to point links using OOK modulation over a 60 GHz carrier suitable for outdoor operation up to 40 m with prospects for range extension to several hundred meters. Secondly, we demonstrate the use of photonic vector modulation and demodulation for bandwidth efficient GbE LAN bridging with the potential to transmit 10 GbE at mm-wave frequencies. Finally, we demonstrate the use of photonic up and down converters for 60 GHz indoor high capacity (Gt 1 Gbps) radio generation and distribution of Ultra-Wideband signals.