Compensation Techniques for Nonlinear Effects Using NG-RoF-DSP: A Review

In a radio over fiber (RoF) transmission, the light wave transmitted through an optical fiber is modulated by the radio signal. This technique provides a better path for the transmission of wireless signals over optical media in broadband wireless networks. RoF has developed over the past three decades along with a plethora of studies in the field. However, RoF still encounters several challenges, many of which have already been overcome, yet many still need to be addressed. In newly evolving networks such as 5G and what follows, bandwidth demands, response time, jitter, and fidelity on front-end networks cause significant challenges to RoF systems. Moreover, the movement from the lower microwave scope to the microwave scope was of direct advantage to wireless operations in terms of bandwidth. However, this movement poses more challenges to RoF expansion because combining wired and a wireless (fiber) network into one basic structure is a task of considerable challenge. Therefore, this paper provides an overview of RoF technology with a specific focus on linear and nonlinear effects, mitigation methods, and a discussion of future challenges.