Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing in wireless communication systems with multimode fiber feeds

The feasibility of using multimode fiber as an inexpensive cell feed in bro ad-band indoor picocellular systems is investigated in this paper. The perf ormance of coded orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) for a va riety of multimode fiber profiles, including stepped index and alpha -proff le graded index fibers, is assessed. In addition to its ability to perform well in a frequency-selective multipath environment, OFDM is shown to offer good protection against the frequency selectivity of a dispersive multimod e fiber. Data rates in excess of 100 Mb/s (without equalization) over a mul timode fiber channel are possible, whereas they may be limited to some 20-3 0 Mb/s using conventional ASK modulation.