Optical microwave technology for future cellular mobile radio networks

Future mobile communication systems must permit the use of broadband services. For the broadcast channel of broadband mobile radiocommunication systems the 60 GHz band is internationally recommended. The networks are to be constructed from small radio cells (picocells) using cost-effective technology. The combination of optical communication technology with microwave technology offers a highly promising beginning to this development, allowing not only low-loss glass-fibre transmission of signals but also simple optical generation of microwave signals at low-cost base stations. This contribution describes methods of optical microwave generation and experiments thereon.