Enabling Enhanced In-Building Solutions Fronthaul Connectivity: The Role of Mode Division Multiple Access in Mobile Networks

This paper introduces the application of Mode Division Multiple Access (MDMA) in the context of In-Building Solutions (IBS) for mobile networks. The study showcases the successful generation and selection of light modes which are then efficiently multiplexed and demultiplexed at the Remote Radio Unit (RRU) end. Despite the proven operational capabilities, the findings reveal a decline in signal quality as the distance increases, thus limiting the use of MDMA for longdistance fronthaul applications. The proposed system also simplifies the RRU by centralizing key functionalities at the Central Office (CO), potentially reducing costs and the operational expenses (OPEX/CAPEX) associated with inbuilding solutions and other mobile network deployments. This work extends previous research and paves the way for future studies, particularly in the application of the Power over Fiber (PWoF) approach to reduce RRU complexities further.