In-building coverage for UMTS using radio over fibre technology

This paper presents a bi-directional optical link for a wireless indoor coverage system operating in the UMTS band, using radio over fibre technology. It shows the feasibility of a dual loop architecture in which only one optical source for both directions and an electroabsorption modulator (EAM) are applied. The EAM is used as a simultaneous receiver as well as transmitter at the remote end of a bi-directional analogue optical fibre link in the UMTS band. On the basis of measurements the distortion performance of the basic dual loop architecture is evaluated. A promising alternative problem solution is demonstrated which may also be cost efficient.