Optical wireless communication systems
Abstract The emerging field of optical wireless communication (OWC) systems is seen as potential complementary technology to the radio frequency wireless communications in certain applications. It is deemed as a possible technology in the future 5th Generation communication networks to address the spectrum congestion and improve the system’s capacity. More research and developments in OWC is still needed in order for it to be adopted in current and future communication systems. This special issue brings together research papers on OWC covering free space optic, visible communications and ultraviolet communications.
Route diversity analyses for free-space optical wireless links within turbulent scenarios
Free-Space Optical (FSO) communications link performance is highly affected when propagating through the time-spatially variable turbulent environment. In order to improve signal reception, several mitigation techniques have been proposed and analytically investigated. This paper presents experimental results for the route diversity technique evaluations for a specific case when several diversity links intersects a common turbulent area and concurrently each passing regions with different turbulence flows.
Combined effect of turbulence and aerosol on free-space optical links
[EN] Despite the benefits of free-space optical (FSO) communications, their full utilization is limited by the influence of atmospheric weather conditions, such as fog, turbulence, smoke, snow, etc. In urban environments, additional environmental factors such as smog and dust particles due to air pollution caused by industry and motor vehicles may affect FSO link performance, which has not been investigated in detail yet. Both smog and dust particles cause absorption and scattering of the propagating optical signal, thus resulting in high attenuation. This work investigates the joint impact of atmospheric turbulence and dust particle-imposed scattering on FSO link performance as part of the…
Ultra-Wideband Radio Signals Distribution in FTTH Networks
[EN] The use of an ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technique is proposed as a viable solution for the distribution of high-definition audio/video content in fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks. The approach suitability is demonstrated by the transmission of standards-based UWB signals at 1.25 Gb/s along different FTTH fiber links with 25 km up to 60 kin of standard single-mode fiber length in a laboratory experiment. Experimental results suggest that orthogonal frequency-division-multiplexed UWB signals exhibit better transmission performance in FFTH networks than impulse radio UWB signals.
Experimental characterization and mitigation of turbulence induced signal fades within an ad hoc FSO network
Optical beams propagating through the turbulent atmospheric channel suffer from both the attenuation and phase distortion. Since future wireless networks are envisaged to be deployed in the ad hoc mesh topology, this paper presents the experimental laboratory characterization of mitigation of turbulence induced signal fades for two ad hoc scenarios. Results from measurements of the thermal structure constant along the propagation channels, changes of the coherence lengths for different turbulence regimes and the eye diagrams for partially correlated turbulences in free space optical channels are discussed. Based on these results future deployment of optical ad hoc networks can be more strai…
Combined Analysis of OFDM-UWB Transmission in Hybrid Wireless-Optical Access Networks
[EN] The hybrid wireless-optical transmission of ultra-wideband signals employing orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing modulation (OFDM) ultra-wideband (UWB) as defined in the ECMA-368 standard is experimentally analyzed in this letter. The OFDM-UWB signals provide 400 Mb/s per user at optical distances from 5 to 50 km on standard single-mode fiber (SSMF). The analysis includes the wireless radiation from 0 to 3 m after optical transmission. The results indicate a maximum error-vector-magnitude degradation of 2.5 dB measured at 1.5-m radio after 50-km SSMF optical transmission for the first two UWB channels. This degradation translates to 1-m maximum wireless-reach penalty.
Design and Study of a Wide-Band Printed Circuit Board Near-Field Probe
Magnetic near-field probes (NFP) represent a suitable tool to measure the magnetic field level from a small electromagnetic interference (EMI) source. This kind of antenna is useful as a magnetic field probe for pre-compliance EMC measurements or debugging tasks since the user can scan a printed circuit board (PCB) looking for locations with strong magnetic fields. When a strong H-field point is found, the designer should check the PCB layout and components placement in that area to detect if this could result in an EMI source. This contribution focuses on analyzing the performance of an easy to build and low-cost H-field NFP designed and manufactured using a standard PCB stack-up. Thereby,…
Characterization of dual-polarization analogue radio over fiber fronthaul for LTE C-RAN architecture
En este artículo se presentan los resultados de la medición ampliada de la radio analógica de doble polarización (DP) sobre fibra (RoF) en una arquitectura de red de acceso radio en la nube (C-RAN) de evolución a largo plazo (LTE). Esta técnica se propone para las conexiones de fibra entre las oficinas centrales y las estaciones base remotas. Se investigan varias longitudes de fibra óptica para determinar el mejor rendimiento del sistema en términos de magnitud de vector de error (EVM) y tasa de error de bit. La distancia máxima alcanzada para el caso de un ancho de banda LTE de 20 MHz es de 50 km, mostrando un valor de EVM admisible del 8,5% a la frecuencia de radio de 2,6 GHz cuando se ut…
Error mitigation using RaptorQ codes in an experimental indoor free space optical link under the influence of turbulence
In free space optical (FSO) communications, several factors can strongly affect the link quality. Among them, one of the most important impairments that can degrade the FSO link quality and its reliability even under the clear sky conditions consists of optical turbulence. In this work, the authors investigate the generation of both weak and moderate turbulence regimes in an indoor environment to assess the FSO link quality. In particular, they show that, due to the presence of the turbulence, the link experiences both erasure errors and packet losses during transmission, and also compare the experimental statistical distribution of samples with the predicted Gamma Gamma model. Furthermore,…
El aprendizaje a saltos mediante el uso de equipos de radio definida por software para la docencia en el grado en ingeniería electrónica de telecomunicación
[EN] How to design communications systems and its foundations depends on various factors such as the accessibility to learning resources, the academic environment and the audience itself. This article reports how the introduction of learning methodologies based on project based learning (PBL), practical devices and asynchronous working has modified the perception of the students about their learning aptitudes. The combination of traditional and offline sessions, with the PBL methodology to perform practical communications systems demonstrations based on professional SDR devices by group of students is presented and analysed in this article. The quantified outcome of their academic involveme…
Investigation of data encryption impact on broadcasting visible light communications
Este trabajo investiga el impacto de la encriptación y desencriptación de datos en un sistema de comunicaciones de luz visible (VLC) de difusión en interiores incrustado en la capa física. Se ha implementado el cifrado RSA para proporcionar una transmisión de datos segura en la capa física. El artículo muestra el rendimiento de la tasa de error de bits (BER) para los sistemas VLC seguros y no seguros (8 y 12 bits) para velocidades de datos de 2 y 12 Mbps. Para una BER de 10e-4 mostramos que hay penalizaciones de potencia de 2-4 dB con las VLC seguras. También se investiga el impacto de la longitud de la clave en la propagación del error y la penalización de potencia. EU Cost Action IC1101 T…
Smooth Three-Dimensional Route Planning for Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles With Double Continuous Curvature
This paper presents a smooth flight path planner for maneuvering in a 3D Euclidean space, which is based on two new space curves. The first one is called 'Elementary Clothoid-based 3D Curve (ECb3D)', which is built by concatenating two symmetric Clothoid-based 3D Curves (Cb3D). The combination of these curves allows to reach an arbitrary orientation in 3D Euclidean space. This new curve allows to generate continuous curvature and torsion profiles that start and finish with a null value, which means that they can be concatenated with other curves, such as straight segments, without generating discontinuities on those variables. The second curve is called 'Double Continuous Curvature 3D Curve…
Analyses of Dual Polarization WDM and SCM Radio over Fiber and Radio over FSO for C-RAN Architecture
En este trabajo se simulan y verifican experimentalmente los esquemas de transmisión para una Arquitectura de Red de Acceso Radio Centralizada (C-RAN) basados en la combinación de dos tecnologías: Radio sobre Fibra (RoF) y Radio sobre FSO (RoFSO). Las configuraciones propuestas se optimizan para la evolución a largo plazo (LTE) con un ancho de banda de 20 MHz utilizando una modulación de amplitud en cuadratura de 64-QAM en términos de magnitud de vector de error (EVM). En primer lugar, se comparan las mediciones de la multiplexación por división de polarización mediante la combinación de RoF y RoFSO (PDM-RoF/FSO) con los modelos de simulación. Esto se amplía con la combinación de PDM-Multip…
Performance Study of Split Ferrite Cores Designed for EMI Suppression on Cables
The ideal procedure to start designing an electronic device is to consider the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) from the beginning. Even so, EMC problems can appear afterward, especially when the designed system is interconnected with external devices. Thereby, electromagnetic interferences (EMIs) could be transmitted to our device from power cables that interconnect it with an external power source or are connected to another system to establish wired communication. The application of an EMI suppressor such as a sleeve core that encircles the cables is a widely used technique to attenuate EM disturbances. This contribution is focused on the characterization of a variation of this cable …
Indoor free space optics link under the weak turbulence regime: Measurements and model validation
In this study, the authors present the measurements performed on a free space optics (FSO) communications link using an indoor atmospheric chamber. In particular, the authors have generated several different optical turbulence conditions, demonstrating how even the weak turbulence regime can strongly affect the FSO link performance. The authors have carried out an in-depth analysis of the data collected during the measurements, and calculated the turbulence strength (i.e. scintillation index and Rytov variance) and the important performance metrics (i.e. the Q-factor and bit error rate) to evaluate the FSO link quality. Moreover, the authors have tested, for the first time, an appositely de…
Girls4STEM: Gender Diversity in STEM for a Sustainable Future
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are key disciplines towards tackling the challenges related to the Sustainable Development Goals. However, evidence shows that women are enrolling in these disciplines in a smaller percentage than men, especially in Engineering related fields. As stated by the United Nations Women section, increasing the number of women studying and working in STEM fields is fundamental towards achieving better solutions to the global challenges, since the potential for innovation is larger. In this paper, we present the Girls4STEM project, which started in 2019 at the Escola Tè
Joint Distribution of Polarization-Multiplexed UWB and WiMAX Radio in PON
[EN] In this paper, the feasibility of the joint distribution of ultra-wideband (UWB) and WIMAX wireless using polarization multiplexing as a coexistence technique is proposed and experimentally demonstrated within the framework of passive optical networks (PON). Four single- and orthogonal-polarization multiplexing schemes are studied targeting to reduce the mutual interference when UWB and WiMAX are distributed jointly through standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) without transmission impairments compensation techniques and amplification. Experimental results indicate successful transmission up to 25 km, in SSMF exceeding the range in typical PON deployments. The radio link penalty introduced…
MWP true time delay implemented in PbS-SU8 waveguides
Es presenta un nou tipus de dispositiu de retard en temps real de microones (TTD) basat en la dispersió de punts quàntics col·loïdals PbS (QD) en el fotoresist SU8 disponible comercialment. Amb aquest propòsit, els nanocompostos PbS-SU8 s’integren en una plataforma de silici en forma de guies d’ones de cresta. Quan aquestes estructures es bomben a longituds d’ona per sota de l’interval de banda dels PbS QD, es realitza un desplaçament de fase en un senyal de microones transmès òpticament (a 1550 nm) i, per tant, es produeix un retard temporal. A més, es milloren els resultats mitjançant la implementació d’una nova guia d’ones de doble capa de cresta composta per un nanocompost PbS-SU8 i una…
MWP phase shifters integrated in PbS-SU8 waveguides
[EN] We present new kind of microwave phase shifters (MPS) based on dispersion of PbS colloidal quantum dots (QDs) in commercially available photoresist SU8 after a ligand exchange process. Ridge PbS-SU8 waveguides are implemented by integration of the nanocomposite in a silicon platform. When these waveguides are pumped at wavelengths below the band-gap of the PbS QDs, a phase shift in an optically conveyed (at 1550 nm) microwave signal is produced. The strong light confinement produced in the ridge waveguides allows an improvement of the phase shift as compared to the case of planar structures. Moreover, a novel ridge bilayer waveguide composed by a PbS-SU8 nanocomposite and a SU8 passive…
On the use of composite indicators for mobile communications network management in smart sustainable cities
Beyond 5G networks will be fundamental towards enabling sustainable mobile communication networks. One of the most challenging scenarios will be met in ultra-dense networks that are deployed in densely populated areas. In this particular case, mobile network operators should benefit from new assessment metrics and data science tools to ensure an effective management of their networks. In fact, incorporating architectures allowing a cognitive network management framework could simplify processes and enhance the network&rsquo
Incorporando dispositivos de radio definida por software en la materia de Comunicaciones Digitales: del grupo piloto a la gran clase
[ES] La innovación educativa es un proceso que se extiende más allá de un curso académico. En su desarrollo se distinguen las etapas de planificación, implementación, evaluación y realimentación, para identificar aspectos susceptibles de mejora. En esta contribución presentamos el trabajo desarrollado en los dos últimos cursos en la asignatura Teoría de la Comunicación (materia de Comunicaciones Digitales), Grado en Ingeniería Telemática, de la Universitat de València. Concretamente, se incorporan dispositivos de radio definida por software en los laboratorios como herramienta para conseguir unas prácticas más realistas. El artículo describe el proceso de adaptación de una sesión de laboratori…
Application of Radio Environment Map Reconstruction Techniques to Platoon-based Cellular V2X Communications
Vehicle platoons involve groups of vehicles travelling together at a constant inter-vehicle distance, with different common benefits such as increasing road efficiency and fuel saving. Vehicle platooning requires highly reliable wireless communications to keep the group structure and carry out coordinated maneuvers in a safe manner. Focusing on infrastructure-assisted cellular vehicle to anything (V2X) communications, the amount of control information to be exchanged between each platoon vehicle and the base station is a critical factor affecting the communication latency. This paper exploits the particular structure and characteristics of platooning to decrease the control information exch…
Continuous Broadband MWP True-Time Delay with PbS-PMMA and -SU8 waveguides
[EN] A new microwave true-time delay (TTD) photonic unit based on the dispersion of PbS colloidal quantum dots (QDs) in a Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and the SU8 photoresist is presented. With this aim, the PbS-PMMA and PbS-SU8 nanocomposites are integrated on a silicon platform in the form of a planar and ridge waveguides, respectively. When PbS QDs on those structures are pumped below their band-gap, a phase shift and a temporal delay in an optically conveyed (at 1550 nm) microwave signal is performed. The results of these devices show potential benefits over current TTD technologies, since the proposed photonic waveguide structures allows real-time adjustment of the temporal delay by …