Taking a coherent and logical approach, this book describes
the potential use of co-ordinated multipoint systems supported
by radio over fiber. It covers an impressive breadth of topics,
ranging from components, subsystem and system architecture, to
network management and business perspectives. The authors show
the importance of radio over fiber in eliminating or mitigating
against the current, perceived barriers to the use of co-ordinated
multipoint, and the drivers for standardisation activities in
future mobile/wireless systems over the next few years.

The book brings together the system concept for centralized
processing, including what is required for co-existence with legacy
wireless systems, the algorithms that can be used for improving
wireless bandwidth utilization at physical and MAC layers and the
radio over fiber network and link design necessary to support the
wireless system. Other important research is also
covered as the authors look at compensating for radio over fiber
impairments and providing simple network management
functions. A study of service provision and the business
case for such a future wireless system is also fully
considered.

This book comes at an important time for future wireless systems
with standardization of fourth generation wireless systems still
ongoing. The content enables readers to make key decisions about
future standardisation and their own research work. The business
analysis also makes the book useful to those involved in deciding
the future directions of telecoms organisations. This information
will be core to their decision-making as it provides technical
knowledge of the state-of-the-art but also system level assessments
of what is possible in a business environment.

Nathan J. Gomes, University of Kent, UK
Dr Gomes is Reader in Broadband Communications at University Of Kent, UK. He received a BSc degree from the University of Sussex, in 1984 and a PhD degree from University College London, in 1988, both in Electronic Engineering. From 1988 to 1989, he held a Royal Society European Exchange Fellowship at ENST, Paris, France. Since late 1989, he has been at University of Kent and has led a number of national and EU projects and published extensively in international journals and conferences.

Paulo Monteiro, Nokia Siemens Networks, Portugal
Paulo Monteiro received his diploma and his PhD degrees in Electronics and Telecommunications from the University of Aveiro, Portugal. He is Optical Networks Technology Manager in the Transport, Aggregation and Fixed Access Department of Nokia Siemens Networks. He is also an Associate Professor at the University of Aveiro and Researcher at the Instituto de Telecomunicações. He was the project coordinator of the Large-scale integrating project FUTON. He has authored/co-authored more than 15 patent applications and over 200 refereed papers and conference contributions.

Atílio Gameiro, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Atilio Gameiro received his Licenciatura and his PhD from the University of Aveiro in 1985 and 1993 respectively. He is currently a Professor in the University of Aveiro, and a Group Head at the Instituto de Telec., Pólo de Aveiro, Portugal. His industrial experience includes a period of one year at BT Labs and one year at NKT Elektronik. He has published over 120 technical papers in international journals and conferences. He has been involved and has led several national and European projects in the field of mobile communications.

A vision for wireless communications advanced by optical transmission possibilities, showing how this technology provides essential advantages for the implementation of wireless systems

Next Generation Wireless Communications using Radio over Fiber brings together key aspects of wireless, networking and photonics technologies which will be fundamental in achieving the vision of ultra-high-bit-rate mobile access with relatively limited spectrum resource. In particular, the book sets out the significant advantages of wireless communication systems based on distributed antennas with centralized signal processing supported by radio over fiber optical links to enable the required coordinated radio transmission schemes. The radio over fiber network architecture and technology choices, the wireless algorithms that can efficiently and fairly use the available spectrum, together with other considerations, such as network management and the business case proposition are all covered.

The book will be of use to all involved in the research, development or planning of future mobile networks, and of interest to anyone working at the interface of RF and photonic systems or technologies. Although a number of technology options and algorithms are reviewed, the book presents a coherent vision for future wireless/mobile communication systems using distributed antennas from which further investigations can be launched.

Key features:-

• Presents a single, coherent vision for future wireless systems employing distributed antenna systems, technical feasibility of fiber supported virtual or distributed MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) concepts, from the component technology through to systems
• Provides key demonstration setups and results validating the concept of the proposed co-ordinated multipoint algorithms
• Gives a business evaluation, showing the potential economic benefits to operators

Taking a coherent and logical approach, this book describes the potential use of co-ordinated multipoint systems supported by radio over fiber. It covers an impressive breadth of topics, ranging from components, subsystem and system architecture, to network management and business perspectives. The authors show the importance of radio over fiber in eliminating or mitigating against the current, perceived barriers to the use of co-ordinated multipoint, and the drivers for standardisation activities in future mobile/wireless systems over the next few years.

The book brings together the system concept for centralized processing, including what is required for co-existence with legacy wireless systems, the algorithms that can be used for improving wireless bandwidth utilization at physical and MAC layers and the radio over fiber network and link design necessary to support the wireless system. Other important research is also covered as the authors look at compensating for radio over fiber impairments and providing simple network management functions. A study of service provision and the business case for such a future wireless system is also fully considered.

This book comes at an important time for future wireless systems with standardization of fourth generation wireless systems still ongoing. The content enables readers to make key decisions about future standardisation and their own research work. The business analysis also makes the book useful to those involved in deciding the future directions of telecoms organisations. This information will be core to their decision-making as it provides technical knowledge of the state-of-the-art but also system level assessments of what is possible in a business environment.

List of Contributors xiii

Foreword xv

Preface xvii

Acknowledgments xxi

List of Abbreviations xxiii

1 Background and Introduction 1
Paulo P. Monteiro, Atýlio Gameiro and Nathan J. Gomes

1.1 The Trends and Challenges to Achieving 4G Wireless 2

1.2 The FUTON Concept for Next-Generation Distributed and Heterogeneous Radio Architectures 8

1.3 Overview of this Book 12

2 Trends inWirele…