Mitigation of transmission impairments in MMW-RoF systems using digital compensation techniques: A 17.88 GHz bandwidth study at 160 GHz and 90 GHz

Abstract

The unprecedented growth of next-generation wireless communication systems has positioned the transmission of millimeter-wave (MMW) signals over fiber-optic links as a critical research area. As 5G and beyond networks continue to demand ultra-high data rates, massive connectivity, and low latency communication, fiber-wireless convergence has emerged as a key enabling technology for realizing scalable, high-capacity, and cost-effective fronthaul infrastructures. This paper addresses these challenges by designing and simulating an radio-over-fiber (RoF) system using VPIphotonics (Ver. 11.1) and Python (Ver. 3.7.6). The proposed compensation framework incorporates digital signal processing (DSP), Algorithms for dispersion compensation, and a phase noise compensator. The system is planned to operate with a bandwidth of 17.88 GHz, a centre frequency of 160 GHz, and a 90 GHz mmWave. Signal transmission is tested over fibre lengths of 50 km and 70 km, evaluating performance metrics such as error vector magnitude (EVM), signal to noise (SNR), symbol error rate (SER), bit error rate (BER), and data rate consistency for different configurations, including 2x2 MIMO. For 2x2 MIMO, EVM values of approximately 3%, 28.3 dBm SNR, 1E-8 SER, and 2E-09 BER over 50 km and over 70 km channel length achieved 4% EVM, 25.89 dBm SNR, 1E-05 SER, and 2E-06 BER at a data rate of 56.656 Gb/s. This compensator ensured robust performance, enhanced signal integrity, and reliable communication over long distances, meeting the developing demands of modern high-speed communication systems.