K-means non-uniform-quantization digital–analog radio-over-fiber scheme for THz-band photonics-aided wireless fronthaul

• DOI: 10.1364/ol.521380
• Publication Date: 2024-04-19T18:00:09Z
• Authors: Mingxu Wang; Jianjun Yu; Xianming Zhao; Chengzhen Bian; Wen Zhou; Kaihui Wang
• Keywords: 0103 physical sciences; 01 natural sciences

We propose a non-uniform-quantization digital–analog radio-over-fiber (NUQ-DA-RoF) scheme based on an advanced K-means NUQ algorithm and demonstrate it experimentally in 2-m 300-GHz photonics-aided wireless fronthaul system. Results show that the NUQ-DA-RoF achieves SNR gain of ∼1.9 dB compared to uniform-quantization DA-RoF (UQ-DA-RoF) at equivalent Common Public Radio Interface data rate (CPRI-EDR). Remarkably, exhibits ∼1.6-dB power sensitivity enhancement over UQ-DA-RoF 256-QAM threshold. These findings highlight advantages terms budget improvement, suggesting promising prospects for future radio access networks fronthaul.