Coherence multiplexed subcarrier multiplexing (CM/SCM) lightwave system for microcelluler mobile communications

SUMMARY Subcarrier multiplexing (SCM) transmission over optical fibers for microcelluler mobile communication systems has been actively studied. However, as increasing the number of channels, intermodulation distortion (IMD) becomes the intrinsic problem. On the other hand, coherence multiplexed (CM) system for broad-band access communications has been developed and may find wide spread application because of its simplicity and flexibility. However the interference noise produced by the mixing of different optical channels at a photodetector is the serious problem. Therefore, on the down link for fiber optic microcell systems, it is attractive to consider the combination of SCM and CM: coherence multiplexed/subcarrier multiplexing (CM/SCM). In this hybrid scheme, since each optical channel is modulated by M microwave subcarriers, the bandwidth allocation is very flexible. In addition, the same microwave subcarrier frequency may be used among the different optical channels, because the optical channels are uncorrelated each other. We derive the received carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) characteristics of CM/SCM system with optical amplifier as preamplifier or in-line amplifier for the optical down link from central station to base stations. The system performance of CM/SCM system is compared with those of coherent SCM (C-SCM) and CM systems from the viewpoint of the maximum number of base stations to be admitted. It is shown that the performance of CM/SCM system is superior to those of C-SCM and CM systems when optical power at the input to in-line amplifier is limited. CM system has good performance when preamplifier gain and optical power are large, and C-SCM system is the best when in-line amplifier is used.