An Overview of Radio over Fiber (RoF) Technology

Saveed Islam; Md Ferdous Khan; Md Zakir Hossan; M Ashraful Amin

doi:10.1109/icicict46008.2019.8993233

Conference Paper2019Cited by 15

An Overview of Radio over Fiber (RoF) Technology

Saveed Islam, Md Ferdous Khan, Md Zakir Hossan, M Ashraful Amin

2019 2nd International Conference on Intelligent Computing, Instrumentation and Control Technologies (ICICICT)

IEEE, Vol. 1, pp. 749–752

DOI: 10.1109/icicict46008.2019.8993233 URL

Abstract

The technology where a Radio Frequency (RF) signal is transmitted through a fiber optic network after the light signal is modulated by RF signal is known as Radio over Fiber or RoF. RoF can utilize a large bandwidth so it can support more users compared to regular wireless technology. The RoF technology is an integration of RF signal and fiber optic link, so with the help of this we can send our wireless signal in outdoor ranges. RoF is a promising cost effective and exceedingly flexible way to solve, high and rapidly increasing consumer and commercial demand for more communication capacity and internet services which needs bandwidth.

Keywords

Radio over fiberBandwidth (computing)Radio signalRadio frequencyWirelessSIGNAL (programming language)Computer scienceElectronic engineeringOptical fiberTelecommunications

CCDS Authors

Md. Zakir Hossan

Research Manager, CCDS

Research Interests

Machine Learning, Computational Neuroscience, Mathematical Physics

M Ashraful Amin, PhD

Founder Director, CCDS
Director, AI/ML, HCI & DS Wings

Professor

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Independent University, Bangladesh

Research Interests

Machine Learning, Cognitive & Vision Science, Cybernetics, Surveillance & Security, ICT in Education, Health, & Agriculture, Human-Computer Interaction, Internet of Things, Robotics

References

1.Govind P. Agrawal. (2002). Fiber‐Optic Communication Systems. [10.1002/0471221147]
2.D. Wake, Anthony Nkansah, Nathan J. Gomes. (2010). Radio Over Fiber Link Design for Next Generation Wireless Systems. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 28(16), 2456–2464[10.1109/jlt.2010.2045103]
3.Rongqing Hui, Benyuan Zhu, Renxiang Huang, C. Allen, K. Demarest, D. Richards. (2002). Subcarrier multiplexing for high-speed optical transmission. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 20(3), 417–427[10.1109/50.988990]
4.Dalma Novak, Rodney Waterhouse, Ampalavanapillai Nirmalathas, Christina Lim, Prasanna A. Gamage, Thomas R. Clark, Michael L. Dennis, Jeffrey A. Nanzer. (2015). Radio-Over-Fiber Technologies for Emerging Wireless Systems. IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, 52(1), 1–11[10.1109/jqe.2015.2504107]
5.Djafar K. Mynbaev, Lowell L. Scheiner. (2000). Fiber-Optic Communications Technology.
6.Yan Cui, Kun Xu, Jian Dai, Xiaoqiang Sun, Yitang Dai, Yuefeng Ji, Jintong Lin. (2012). Overcoming Chromatic-Dispersion-Induced Power Fading in ROF Links Employing Parallel Modulators. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 24(14), 1173–1175[10.1109/lpt.2012.2192422]
7.A.M.J. Koonen, M. García Larrodé, Anthony Ng’oma, Kun Wang, H. Yang, Y. Zheng, E. Tangdiongga. (2008). Perspectives of Radio over Fiber Technologies. [10.1109/ofc.2008.4528510]
8.C.H. Cox, Edward I. Ackerman. (2008). Microwave photonics: Past, present and future. , 8, 9–11[10.1109/mwp.2008.4666621]
9.Abd El–Naser A. Mohamed, Ahmed Nabih, Zaki Rashed, Mohamed S. F. Tabbour. (2011). Transmission Characteristics of Radio over Fiber (ROF) Millimeter Wave Systems in Local Area Optical Communication Networks.
10.Lijia Zhang, Xiangjun Xin, Bo Liu, Yongjun Wang, Jianjun Yu, Chongxiu Yu. (2010). OFDM modulated WDM-ROF system based on PCF-Supercontinuum. Optics Express, 18(14), 15003[10.1364/oe.18.015003]
11.George Smith, Dalma Novak, Christina Lim. (1998). A millimeter-wave full-duplex fiber-radio star-tree architecture incorporating WDM and SCM. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 10(11), 1650–1652[10.1109/68.726779]
12.Benoı̂t Charbonnier, Hugues Le Bras, P. Urvoas, Quốc Thái Nguyễn, M. Huchard, A. Pizzinat. (2007). Upcoming perspectives and future challenges for ROF. [10.1109/mwp.2007.4378125]
13.Y. Watanabe, C. Tanaka. (2004). Current status of perfluorinated GI-POF and 2.5 Gbps data transmission over it. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2, 12–13[10.1109/ofc.2003.1247452]
14.Mohammad Shaifur Rahman, Jung‐Hyun Lee, Youngil Park, Ki‐Doo Kim. (2009). Radio Over Fiber As A Cost Effective Technology For Transmission Of Wimax Signals. Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)[10.5281/zenodo.1085663]
15.Jianjun Yu, Gee‐Kung Chang, A.M.J. Koonen, Georgios Ellinas. (2009). Radio-over-optical fiber networks: introduction to the feature issue. Journal of Optical Networking, 8(5), 488[10.1364/jon.8.000488]
16.Arash Bahrami, Thavamaran Kanesan, Wai Pang Ng, Zabih Ghassemlooy, Chuanqi Qiao. (2010). Performance evaluation of radio-over-fibre systems using Mach-Zehnder modulator. Northumbria Research Link (Northumbria University)

Cited By

1.Jiangnan Xiao, Chuang Zhao, Xingxing Feng, Xu Dong, Jiangli Zuo, Jun Ming, Ye Zhou. (2020). Review on the Millimeter-Wave Generation Techniques Based on Photon Assisted for the RoF Network System. Advances in Condensed Matter Physics, 2020, 1–14[10.1155/2020/6692941]
2.Rasul Azizpour, Hassan Zakeri, Gholamreza Moradi, Mohammad Alibakhshikenari, Francisco Falcone, BO Liu, Tayeb A. Dendini, Imko Park, Slawomir Koziel, Ernesto Limiti. (2024). Multi-Channel Radio-Over-Fiber Communication Systems Through Modulation Instability Phenomenon. IEEE photonics journal, 16(5), 1–13[10.1109/jphot.2024.3446314]
3.Ainamardiah Putri Fatikah, Yus Natali, Catur Apriono. (2023). Bidirectional Radio Over Fiber with Millimeter Wave to Support 5G Fronthaul Network. , 386–390[10.1109/comnetsat59769.2023.10420665]
4.Duhaq Ehasn Mohsen, Ali Mehdi Hammadi, Ali J. Al-Askery. (2022). WDM and DWDM based RoF system in Fiber Optic Communication Systems: A review. International Journal of Communication Networks and Information Security (IJCNIS), 13(1)[10.17762/ijcnis.v13i1.4887]
5.Shihao Hui, Dongfei Wang, Jiaao Wang, Xueyao Yan, Yujin Li, Zichen Li. (2023). A New Scheme to Implement the Reconfigurable Optical Logic Gate in Millimeter Wave Over Fiber System. IEEE Access, 11, 25835–25842[10.1109/access.2023.3255405]
6.Manea Naif Obied, Mishari A. Askar. (2024). Summary on RoF Technologies, Modulations, and Optical Filters: Review. Indonesian Journal of Electrical Engineering and Informatics (IJEEI), 12(1)[10.52549/ijeei.v12i1.5354]
7.Hasan K. Al Deen, Haider J. Abd. (2022). An Investigation of Radio over Fiber (RoF) Communication System Technology: A Review. , 398–403[10.1109/aest55805.2022.10413078]
8.Navpreet Kaur Virk, Abegail Corales, Neeraj Nepal, Ramandeep, P. W. C. Prasad, Md Shohel Sayeed. (2025). Enhancing energy efficiency and signal integrity in power and radio over fiber networks: a comprehensive review. Discover Applied Sciences, 7(10)[10.1007/s42452-025-07779-4]
9.Rizwan Iqbal, Nadeem Ahmed, Nadia Mustaqim Ansari, Hitesh Kumar. (2024). Performance Measurement of Radio Over Fiber in WiMAX and LTE. , 1–5[10.1109/gcwot63882.2024.10805605]
10.Sindhumitha Kulandaivel, R. K. Jeyachitra. (2025). Dual-Stage Deep Learning Model for Multiparameter Optical Performance Monitoring and Optical Modulation Index Estimation for Radio over Fiber Systems. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 50(14), 11383–11393[10.1007/s13369-024-09909-3]
11.Carlos Daniel Fontes da Silva, Edson Porto da Silva. (2025). Performance vs Complexity Analysis of Neural Network and Memory Polynomial-Based DPD for A-RoF Fronthaul. , 1–5[10.1109/imoc65414.2025.11365761]
12.Z X Ren, Y Q Huang, S H Tan, M X Yang, K Liu, X F Duan, X M Ren. (2025). A Novel High-Power and High-Speed Modified Uni-Traveling-Carrier Photodetector. , 1–4[10.23919/oecc/psc62146.2025.11109603]
13.Rodrigo Cuevas-Terrones, Josefina Castañeda-Camacho, José Eligio Moisés Gutiérrez-Arias, Mauricio Rodríguez, Ignacio Enrique Zaldívar-Huerta. (2025). Evaluation of the Digital Data Performance Transmission of a Two-User Fiber-Radio System with NOMA Wireless Access Scheme. Electronics, 14(22), 4357[10.3390/electronics14224357]
14.Muhammad Haris Rasyid, Irena Novelia Ananda, Stanley Anggara Nathanael, Humam Nauvally Hammam, Syafiq Maulana Al Faruq, Catur Apriono. (2023). Potential Implementation Radio over Fiber in Smart Vehicle Transportation Systems in The University of Indonesia Area. , 21, 170–175[10.1109/ieit59852.2023.10335516]
15.Agrawal Vikas, P. K. Pandey, R. K. Bahl. (2022). Development of high data rate optical transmitter in c-band using external modulation technique. i-manager’s Journal on Electronics Engineering, 12(2), 1[10.26634/jele.12.2.18517]

← All publications

Abstract

CCDS Authors

Md. Zakir Hossan

Research Manager, CCDS

Research Interests

Machine Learning, Computational Neuroscience, Mathematical Physics

M Ashraful Amin, PhD

Founder Director, CCDS
Director, AI/ML, HCI & DS Wings

Professor

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Independent University, Bangladesh

Research Interests

Machine Learning, Cognitive & Vision Science, Cybernetics, Surveillance & Security, ICT in Education, Health, & Agriculture, Human-Computer Interaction, Internet of Things, Robotics

References

1.Govind P. Agrawal. (2002). Fiber‐Optic Communication Systems. [10.1002/0471221147]

2.D. Wake, Anthony Nkansah, Nathan J. Gomes. (2010). Radio Over Fiber Link Design for Next Generation Wireless Systems. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 28(16), 2456–2464[10.1109/jlt.2010.2045103]

3.Rongqing Hui, Benyuan Zhu, Renxiang Huang, C. Allen, K. Demarest, D. Richards. (2002). Subcarrier multiplexing for high-speed optical transmission. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 20(3), 417–427[10.1109/50.988990]

4.Dalma Novak, Rodney Waterhouse, Ampalavanapillai Nirmalathas, Christina Lim, Prasanna A. Gamage, Thomas R. Clark, Michael L. Dennis, Jeffrey A. Nanzer. (2015). Radio-Over-Fiber Technologies for Emerging Wireless Systems. IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, 52(1), 1–11[10.1109/jqe.2015.2504107]

5.Djafar K. Mynbaev, Lowell L. Scheiner. (2000). Fiber-Optic Communications Technology.

6.Yan Cui, Kun Xu, Jian Dai, Xiaoqiang Sun, Yitang Dai, Yuefeng Ji, Jintong Lin. (2012). Overcoming Chromatic-Dispersion-Induced Power Fading in ROF Links Employing Parallel Modulators. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 24(14), 1173–1175[10.1109/lpt.2012.2192422]

7.A.M.J. Koonen, M. García Larrodé, Anthony Ng’oma, Kun Wang, H. Yang, Y. Zheng, E. Tangdiongga. (2008). Perspectives of Radio over Fiber Technologies. [10.1109/ofc.2008.4528510]

8.C.H. Cox, Edward I. Ackerman. (2008). Microwave photonics: Past, present and future. , 8, 9–11[10.1109/mwp.2008.4666621]

9.Abd El–Naser A. Mohamed, Ahmed Nabih, Zaki Rashed, Mohamed S. F. Tabbour. (2011). Transmission Characteristics of Radio over Fiber (ROF) Millimeter Wave Systems in Local Area Optical Communication Networks.

10.Lijia Zhang, Xiangjun Xin, Bo Liu, Yongjun Wang, Jianjun Yu, Chongxiu Yu. (2010). OFDM modulated WDM-ROF system based on PCF-Supercontinuum. Optics Express, 18(14), 15003[10.1364/oe.18.015003]

11.George Smith, Dalma Novak, Christina Lim. (1998). A millimeter-wave full-duplex fiber-radio star-tree architecture incorporating WDM and SCM. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 10(11), 1650–1652[10.1109/68.726779]

12.Benoı̂t Charbonnier, Hugues Le Bras, P. Urvoas, Quốc Thái Nguyễn, M. Huchard, A. Pizzinat. (2007). Upcoming perspectives and future challenges for ROF. [10.1109/mwp.2007.4378125]

13.Y. Watanabe, C. Tanaka. (2004). Current status of perfluorinated GI-POF and 2.5 Gbps data transmission over it. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 2, 12–13[10.1109/ofc.2003.1247452]

14.Mohammad Shaifur Rahman, Jung‐Hyun Lee, Youngil Park, Ki‐Doo Kim. (2009). Radio Over Fiber As A Cost Effective Technology For Transmission Of Wimax Signals. Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)[10.5281/zenodo.1085663]

15.Jianjun Yu, Gee‐Kung Chang, A.M.J. Koonen, Georgios Ellinas. (2009). Radio-over-optical fiber networks: introduction to the feature issue. Journal of Optical Networking, 8(5), 488[10.1364/jon.8.000488]

16.Arash Bahrami, Thavamaran Kanesan, Wai Pang Ng, Zabih Ghassemlooy, Chuanqi Qiao. (2010). Performance evaluation of radio-over-fibre systems using Mach-Zehnder modulator. Northumbria Research Link (Northumbria University)

Cited By

1.Jiangnan Xiao, Chuang Zhao, Xingxing Feng, Xu Dong, Jiangli Zuo, Jun Ming, Ye Zhou. (2020). Review on the Millimeter-Wave Generation Techniques Based on Photon Assisted for the RoF Network System. Advances in Condensed Matter Physics, 2020, 1–14[10.1155/2020/6692941]

2.Rasul Azizpour, Hassan Zakeri, Gholamreza Moradi, Mohammad Alibakhshikenari, Francisco Falcone, BO Liu, Tayeb A. Dendini, Imko Park, Slawomir Koziel, Ernesto Limiti. (2024). Multi-Channel Radio-Over-Fiber Communication Systems Through Modulation Instability Phenomenon. IEEE photonics journal, 16(5), 1–13[10.1109/jphot.2024.3446314]

3.Ainamardiah Putri Fatikah, Yus Natali, Catur Apriono. (2023). Bidirectional Radio Over Fiber with Millimeter Wave to Support 5G Fronthaul Network. , 386–390[10.1109/comnetsat59769.2023.10420665]

4.Duhaq Ehasn Mohsen, Ali Mehdi Hammadi, Ali J. Al-Askery. (2022). WDM and DWDM based RoF system in Fiber Optic Communication Systems: A review. International Journal of Communication Networks and Information Security (IJCNIS), 13(1)[10.17762/ijcnis.v13i1.4887]

5.Shihao Hui, Dongfei Wang, Jiaao Wang, Xueyao Yan, Yujin Li, Zichen Li. (2023). A New Scheme to Implement the Reconfigurable Optical Logic Gate in Millimeter Wave Over Fiber System. IEEE Access, 11, 25835–25842[10.1109/access.2023.3255405]

6.Manea Naif Obied, Mishari A. Askar. (2024). Summary on RoF Technologies, Modulations, and Optical Filters: Review. Indonesian Journal of Electrical Engineering and Informatics (IJEEI), 12(1)[10.52549/ijeei.v12i1.5354]

7.Hasan K. Al Deen, Haider J. Abd. (2022). An Investigation of Radio over Fiber (RoF) Communication System Technology: A Review. , 398–403[10.1109/aest55805.2022.10413078]

8.Navpreet Kaur Virk, Abegail Corales, Neeraj Nepal, Ramandeep, P. W. C. Prasad, Md Shohel Sayeed. (2025). Enhancing energy efficiency and signal integrity in power and radio over fiber networks: a comprehensive review. Discover Applied Sciences, 7(10)[10.1007/s42452-025-07779-4]

9.Rizwan Iqbal, Nadeem Ahmed, Nadia Mustaqim Ansari, Hitesh Kumar. (2024). Performance Measurement of Radio Over Fiber in WiMAX and LTE. , 1–5[10.1109/gcwot63882.2024.10805605]

10.Sindhumitha Kulandaivel, R. K. Jeyachitra. (2025). Dual-Stage Deep Learning Model for Multiparameter Optical Performance Monitoring and Optical Modulation Index Estimation for Radio over Fiber Systems. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 50(14), 11383–11393[10.1007/s13369-024-09909-3]

11.Carlos Daniel Fontes da Silva, Edson Porto da Silva. (2025). Performance vs Complexity Analysis of Neural Network and Memory Polynomial-Based DPD for A-RoF Fronthaul. , 1–5[10.1109/imoc65414.2025.11365761]

12.Z X Ren, Y Q Huang, S H Tan, M X Yang, K Liu, X F Duan, X M Ren. (2025). A Novel High-Power and High-Speed Modified Uni-Traveling-Carrier Photodetector. , 1–4[10.23919/oecc/psc62146.2025.11109603]

13.Rodrigo Cuevas-Terrones, Josefina Castañeda-Camacho, José Eligio Moisés Gutiérrez-Arias, Mauricio Rodríguez, Ignacio Enrique Zaldívar-Huerta. (2025). Evaluation of the Digital Data Performance Transmission of a Two-User Fiber-Radio System with NOMA Wireless Access Scheme. Electronics, 14(22), 4357[10.3390/electronics14224357]

14.Muhammad Haris Rasyid, Irena Novelia Ananda, Stanley Anggara Nathanael, Humam Nauvally Hammam, Syafiq Maulana Al Faruq, Catur Apriono. (2023). Potential Implementation Radio over Fiber in Smart Vehicle Transportation Systems in The University of Indonesia Area. , 21, 170–175[10.1109/ieit59852.2023.10335516]

15.Agrawal Vikas, P. K. Pandey, R. K. Bahl. (2022). Development of high data rate optical transmitter in c-band using external modulation technique. i-manager’s Journal on Electronics Engineering, 12(2), 1[10.26634/jele.12.2.18517]