In the MillimeterWave (mm-wave) range there is a large amount of available bandwidth, however, such systems are limited to short-range wireless communications (<50 m). Radio-over-Fibre (RoF) can be used to extend the transmission distances of the mm-waves in order to benefit from the large available bandwidth and low
transmission loss of fibre in Fibre to the Home (FTTH) Passive Optical Network (PON) architectures. In this research, generation of mm-waves is demonstrated using Optical Frequency Combs (OFCs). Using a Gain Switched Laser (GSL), this research works towards a RoF system capable of transmitting an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) mm-wave signal.
This thesis also examines the coherence of a Quantum Dash Semiconductor (QDash) laser and discusses its potential for the generation of mm-wave and THz radiation.
The work presented in this thesis demonstrates mm-wave generation and RoF transmission systems using GSLs to generate a mm-wave RoF system capable of data rates of up to 25 Gb/s over 50 km of fibre. The QDash laser is demonstrated to have high coherence, in particular when actively mode-locked. Along with it’s low power requirements, mm-scale device footprint and monolithic manufacturability, the QDash is advocated as a promising fit to generate mm-wave and THz radiation. The systems and devices presented possess the potential to be implemented in future access networks integrating both wired and wireless networks.