Radio over fiber system-based direct modulation VCSEL optical source.

In the latest generation of optical fiber systems, broadband telecommunication network access with ultrahigh speed services is almost realized by passive optical network (PON) radio over fiber system. In this study, a least complex and cost-effective downstream radio over fiber system (RoF)-based direct modulation vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) optical source is designed. Different simulations are presented, including the VCSEL output power dependence on the temperature. For the selected VCSEL, the maximum output power of 4mW at bias current of 13 mA and 20 °C, whereas the least power of 1.5mW at 9.5 mA and 60 °C was recorded. For a single user, the proposed system driving the VCSEL at 20 °C enabled 5Gbps data transmission up to 100 km with the significant signal performance. The RoF system is further expanded to include a 16-channel WDM system to design a passive optical network system to enhance the data rate and rout more independent subscribers to share the same optical fiber. Without externally modulating optical signal, the various simulations of Q-factor, bit error rate, and eye diagram conformed that the presented PON-based WDM and VCSEL support fiber span up to 100 km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]