Wireless broadband access systems using fiber links: a comparison between IF and RF transport techniques

We analyze two different techniques for realizing an optical fiber feeder in a wireless broadband access system. In particular, the two techniques refer to the use of either direct intensity modulation of a laser diode or external modulation at mm wave frequencies. In order to plot several carrier-to-noise ratio curves versus the optical modulation index (OMI) we have taken into account noise contributions and nonlinear distortions affecting the optical link performance. Both IF and RF techniques are viable to realize (Fiber To The Area) FTTA systems.