SC217 Hybrid Fiber Radio: The Application of Photonic Links in Wireless Communications

Sunday, March 22, 2009
4:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Dalma Novak; Pharad, USA
Level: Advanced Beginner (basic understanding of topic is necessary to follow course material)

Course Description

Increasingly, optical fiber links are finding application in wireless communication networks for the transport, distribution and delivery of radio signals to the remotely located antenna units. Wireless systems where such hybrid technology is now being used include outdoor cellular and microcellular networks; indoor distributed antenna systems; wireless local area networks (WLANs) and personal area networks (WPANs); as well as fixed and mobile broadband networks, which can provide very high bandwidth services to users.

This Short Course will describe how and where photonic links are finding application in wireless communication networks. The associated technologies, devices, sub-systems and system architectures that enable the implementation of integrated wireless and wired (optical) networks will be discussed. The various technical challenges that must be addressed for the successful integration of such networks—which encompass very different requirements and specifications—will also be included. Specific topics include: wireless network architectures and system characteristics, typical integrated optical/wireless network architectures, requirements and challenges for the development of hybrid fiber radio technologies, comparison of technologies and implementation approaches, current status of the commercial market for hybrid fiber radio networks.

Benefits and Learning Objectives

This course should enable you to:

  • Understand how and why wireless communication systems are being integrated with wired (optical fiber) networks.
  • Identify the technical challenges related to the application of photonics and optical networking concepts to wireless communications.
  • Understand and compare technologies that enable the integration of wireless and optical networks.
  • Identify architectures and technologies that can improve the performance of hybrid fiber-wireless systems.
  • Design architectures and subsystems for fiber-wireless networks.

Intended Audience

This is an introductory to intermediate course for people working in telecommunication-related areas who wish to broaden their knowledge and learn how optical networks are being integrated with wireless communications or find out the current status of this multidisciplinary field.

Biography

Dalma Novak is vice president at Pharad LLC, where they are developing advanced RF-over-fiber and antenna products. She received her doctorate in 1992. From 1992 to 2004 she was a faculty member in the department of electrical and electronic engineering at the University of Melbourne, Australia, where she is now a Professorial Fellow. Previously she held positions at Dorsal Networks and Corvis Corp. Her research interests include hybrid fiber radio technologies, WDM networks and high-speed photonic devices and systems. She has published more than 230 papers in these areas. Novak is Chair of the LEOS Microwave Photonics Technical Subcommittee.