Cost-effective optical backhaul for broadband wireless

Given the steady growth in both the deployment of broadband wireless access (BWA) networks as well as the increase in their bandwidth requirements, there is a real demand for high bandwidth backhaul connectivity between antenna base-stations (BSs) and the switching center. On the other hand, increasing deployment of optical access networks and associated backbone networks provide greater access to a high bandwidth fiber network. A unified communication backbone network that seamlessly integrates wireless backhaul networks with the optical access network can offer significant benefits to network operators through consolidation of network infrastructure. In addition, such a unified backbone network would provide a future-proof and scalable infrastructure to cope with the future growth in demand for both wireless and wired broadband connectivity. However, it will demand a common physical layer transmission technology that allows easier transport of both wireless and optical signals cost-effectively.