Remote Access Unit for optic-to-wireless conversion

In this paper we propose a design of a reconfigurable Remote Access Unit (RAU) interfacing optical dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) networks with radio communication links. To generate a radio signal the device utilizes a principles of incoherent heterodyne signal upconversion. The proposed RAU is able to operate in a whole optical C-band with 100 GHz spaced channels and can generate radio signals in a wide frequency range limited only by used photodiode. Experimental tests of the RAU showed error free operation after 15km of fiber and 50m of radio link in W-band frequency range.