Page 49 - ITU Journal Future and evolving technologies – Volume 2 (2021), Issue 2

ITU Journal on Future and Evolving Technologies, Volume 2 (2021), Issue 2

COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN FOR ANALOG WIRELESS FRONTHAUL OF B5G CELLULAR
COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
Mikhail E. Belkin , Vladislav Golovin , Yuriy Tyschuk , and Alexander S. Sigov 1
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Scientific and Technological Center “Integrated Microwave Photonics” MIREA - Russian Technological University
Moscow, Russian Federation, Sevastopol State University (SevSU), Sevastopol, Russian Federation
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NOTE: Corresponding author: Mikhail E. Belkin, belkin@mirea.ru

Abstract – Specialties of an analog fronthaul based on Radio-over-Fiber architecture and key principles of
exploiting microwave photonics technology when designing a millimeter-wave Radio Unit (RU) are reviewed and
discussed. To clarify, in this paper we perform a comparative simulation for a specific example of developing an
obligatory RU’s node as a reference oscillator with an output radio frequency (RF) of more than 100 GHz, which
is typically implemented by means of a circuit that includes a relatively low-frequency RF oscillator followed by
a high-order frequency multiplier. Following the principles and approaches outlined, we propose and describe
two alternative schemes for implementing a frequency multiplier from 4.25 to 102 GHz using microwave-
electronics or microwave-photonics approach. Further, using Cadence AWRDE software with an additional
introduction of the previously proposed models of optoelectronic devices, their main characteristics are
considered. To ensure the practical orientation of the model experiments, the parameters of each of the models
used are selected based on the specifications of commercially available discrete components.

Keywords – Analog wireless fronthaul, beyond 5G telecommunication system, microwave photonics,
modeling, simulation experiment

1. INTRODUCTION – recent advances show that unmanned vehicles
that independently choose the route and actively
As well known, the most striking event for the exchange information with each other are no
world of telecommunications in the second decade longer fiction, but the near future of mankind.
of the 21st century is the gradual transformation of
5th Generation (5G) cellular networks from a However, the resources of 4G LTE networks were not
distant perspective into reality, and now the first designed for the transmission of such huge amounts
commercial 5G networks have already been put of information. Despite the use of various
into operation in a number of industrialized complementary technologies such as Multiple
countries [1]. In addition, smartphones and routers Input/Multiple Output (MIMO) and frequency
with 5G support have appeared on the market. The aggregation, Base Stations (BS) in densely populated
main motivation for 5G onrush is that although urban areas are often congested. The result is that
mature 4th Generation Long-Term Evolution (4G newer devices demand faster mobile Internet with
LTE) networks have provided high rates of data lower latency and improved reliability.
transmission, the exchange of data on the Internet When developing 5G NR (New Radio) standards,
is promptly increasing every year. Here are just a the exact requirements that new technologies and
few illustrative examples: industries place on mobile communications, were

– High Definition (HD) and FullHD videos are taken into account. Generally, the concept of 5G NR
replaced by video standards that have many times access networks implies three key service
a higher resolution: 4K UHD and 8K UHD; scenarios [2-6]:
– large volumes of personal and corporate data enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) that supports
are stored on remote and "cloud" servers and faster transferring large amounts of user data;
require round-the-clock uninterrupted access;
– technologies of augmented and virtual reality Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications
are actively developing, which are planned to be (URLLC) that reduces latency, which is critical for
used in the educational process and online games; the development of unmanned vehicles;

© International Telecommunication Union, 2021 35