Wireless receiver configuration (antenna diameter 16 cm)
NICT: Simplifies millimeter-wave wireless receivers: Beyond 5G technology
-Successful demonstration of optical / wireless direct transmission technology-
July 15, 2021
National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
Sumitomo Osaka Cement
Waseda University
Beyond 5G Technology Development:
Developed two elemental technologies for millimeter-wave wireless receivers.
Succeeded in direct transmission of millimeter-wave signals to optical fiber.
This was achieved by combining “optical / wireless conversion device” and “fiber wireless technology”.
Contributed to the simplification (low power consumption and low cost) of wireless antenna stations in the Beyond 5G era.
Millimeter-wave band signal challenges:
Millimeter wave band signal
Compared to the microwave band signal of a conventional 4G system
The reach in the atmosphere is short.
Therefore, it is necessary to install a large number of wireless antenna stations.
It has been desired to reduce the power consumption and cost of wireless antenna stations.
Simplification of radio antenna station transmitter:
So far, NICT has researched and developed fiber wireless technology and light receiving devices.
We have demonstrated the simplification of the radio antenna station transmitter that converts optical signals to radio signals.
Simplification of wireless antenna station receiver:
However, simplification of the receiver that converts wireless signals to optical signals has been a conventional issue.
Achievements this time:
This time, about millimeter-wave wireless receivers
Developed two elemental technologies,
Receives high-speed millimeter-wave radio signals,
Succeeded in direct transmission to optical fiber.
First elemental technology:
We jointly developed an optical / wireless conversion device that converts wireless signals into optical signals.
A high-speed optical modulator that uses a ferroelectric electro-optical crystal (lithium niobate).
Crystal thickness should be 1/5 or less, 100 μm or less,
Compatible with 101GHz millimeter waves,
Achieved high speed.
Second elemental technology:
It is a fiber wireless technology for directly transmitting an optical signal emitted from an optical / wireless conversion device to an optical fiber.
Local signal,
Generated by a remote optical station signal generator,
Performs optical fiber transmission.
We have developed a technology to convert the signal frequency of optical / wireless conversion devices.
With this technology, it has become possible to convert the frequency of millimeter-wave radio signals in the optical region.
Combined development technologies:
It is possible to realize a configuration that directly converts a wireless signal into an optical signal.
At 64QAM modulation
70GB high-speed millimeter-wave wireless signal per second,
Converts directly to an optical fiber signal.
We built a transmission system and succeeded in a demonstration experiment.
International Conference: International Conference on Fiber Optic Communications (OFC2021) Best Hot Topic Paper (Post Deadline Paper)
Title: Transparent Fiber–Radio–Fiber Bridge at 101 GHz using Optical Modulator and Direct Photonic Down-Conversion
Authors: Pham Tien Dat, Yuya Yamaguchi, Keizo Inagaki, Masayuki Motoya, Satoru Oikawa, Junichiro Ichikawa, Atsushi Kanno, Naokatsu Yamamoto, Tetsuya Kawanishi
2021 ｜ NICT-National Institute of Information and Communications Technology