Performance of an Optically Powered Radio-Over-Fiber System Exploiting Raman Amplification

Combining power-over-fiber (PoF) with microwave photonics (MWP) is a promising solution to supply remote sensors while transmitting and processing RF signals. In this work, we introduce a bidirectional radio-over-fiber (RoF) system with PoF capabilities. A Raman laser provides the power transmitted over a 10 km single-mode fiber (SMF) to the low consumption driving electronics of a remote RF receiver. The 1480 nm optical power simultaneously works as a pump to the copropagating 1550 nm optical carrier and to the counterpropagating optical signal, over the same fiber. We present the frequency response characterization of the proposed link, in the range from 2 to 8 GHz, relying on the classical figures of merit from MWP analysis. RF gain, noise figure, and spurious-free dynamic range are presented, under the effects of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) in both directions. An optical power up to 1 W (30 dBm) is available to be converted into electrical power at the remote site.

Automated summary

This paper introduces a bidirectional radio-over-fiber (RoF) system with power-over-fiber (PoF) capabilities for remote sensors. Experimental results demonstrate the system's good frequency response characteristics and high optical power conversion efficiency.