850nm VCSEL-based Analog Radio-over-SSMF for Low-latency, Low-consumption Industrial Networks

The use of 850nm Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) technology in analog radio-over-fiber (ARoF) systems is presented as an interesting solution for low-latency and low consumption future RF communication systems applicable in Industrial Scenarios, as the sixth generation (6G) of mobile network and the Internet-of-Things (IoT). Although VCSELs are typically employed with Graded-Index Multimode Fiber (GI-MMF), utilizing Standard Single Mode Fiber (SSMF) offers an even more attractive implementation. This is due to the potential reuse of existing fiber infrastructure, where available, and the ability to multiplex the ARoF system with other services operating over the same fiber at conventional wavelengths of 1310 nm and 1550 nm. This paper presents the performance of ARoF systems based on a single-mode 850 nm VCSEL, comparing the use of GI-MMF and SSMF with a focus on system robustness and stability.