Analysis and impact of digital modulation techniques on LTE over fibre for 5G systems applications.

Abstract

The impact of digital modulation techniques used in Long Term Evolution (LTE) when applied to radio over fibre for fifth-generation systems has been analysed and evaluated in this paper. The analyses are based on the measured BER and the observed eye-diagram with quality factors for the different modulation techniques such as QPSK, 16 QAM, 64 QAM, and 256 QAM. A fibre length between 5 km and 100 km is adopted to showcase the best configuration at a particular length that can support 5G systems. Huge bandwidth and low latency with high spectral efficiency are needed to accommodate 5G applications in areas of critical surgery, home automation, smart transportation, security, and smart cities via IoT among others. Recent researches are focusing on a synergy between the wireless systems and optical network systems to enhance the transmission of RF signals from a central location to a separate unit of the radio element known as the remote radio head (radio over fibre). This technology merges the optical networks and microwaves to provide a possible solution to increase channel capacity, mobility, and reduced the cost of the access network for customers' comfort. The whole system link is simulated using a commercial optical simulator Optisystem 17.