Umar Farooq

This article presents the decision feedback equalizer (DFE), the maximum likelihood detection (MLD), and the radius-directed equalization (RDE) algorithms designed in MATLAB-R2018a to equalize the received signal in a dispersive optical link up to 120 km. DFE is essential for improving signal quality in several communication systems, including WiFi networks, cable modems, and long-term evolution (LTE) systems. Its capacity to mitigate inter-symbol interference (ISI) and rapidly adjust to channel variations renders it a flexible option for high-speed data transfer and wireless communications. Conversely, MLD is utilized in applications that require great precision and dependability, including multi-input–multi-output (MIMO) systems, satellite communications, and radar technology. The ability of MLD to optimize the probability of accurate symbol detection in complex, high-dimensional environments renders it crucial for systems where signal integrity and precision are critical. Lastly, RDE is implemented as an alternative algorithm to the CMA-based equalizer, utilizing the idea of adjusting the amplitude of the received distorted symbol so that its modulus is closer to the ideal value for that symbol. The algorithms are tested using a converged 5G mm-wave analog radio-over-fiber (A-RoF) system at 60 GHz. Their performance is measured regarding error vector magnitude (EVM) values before and after equalization for different optical fiber lengths and modulation formats (QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, and 128-QAM) and shows a clear performance improvement of the output signal. Moreover, the performance of the proposed algorithms is compared to three commonly used algorithms: the simple least mean square (LMS) algorithm, the constant modulus algorithm (CMA), and the adaptive median filtering (AMF), demonstrating superior results in both QPSK and 16-QAM and extending the transmission distance up to 120 km. DFE has a significant advantage over LMS and AMF in reducing the inter-symbol interference (ISI) in a dispersive channel by using previous decision feedback, resulting in quicker convergence and more precise equalization. MLD, on the other hand, is highly effective in improving detection accuracy by taking into account the probability of various symbol sequences achieving lower error rates and enhancing performance in advanced modulation schemes. RDE performs best for QPSK and 16-QAM constellations among all the other algorithms. Furthermore, DFE and MLD are particularly suitable for higher-order modulation formats like 64-QAM and 128-QAM, where accurate equalization and error detection are of utmost importance. The enhanced functionalities of DFE, RDE, and MLD in managing greater modulation orders and expanding transmission range highlight their efficacy in improving the performance and dependability of our system.

This article presents the Decision Feedback Equalizer (DFE) and the Maximum Likelihood detection (MLD) algorithms designed in MATLAB to equalize the received signal in a dispersive optical link up to 120 Km. The algorithms are tested using a converged 5G mm-wave analog radio-over-fiber (A-RoF) system at 60 GHz. The algorithm’s performance is measured regarding error vector magnitude (EVM) values before and after equalization, for different optical fiber lengths and modulation formats (QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, and 128-QAM) and shows a clear performance improvement of the output signal. Moreover, the performance of the proposed algorithms is compared to three commonly used algorithms: the simple least mean square (LMS) algorithm, the constant modulus algorithm (CMA), and the adaptive median filtering (AMF) demonstrating superior results in both QPSK and 16-QAM and extending the transmission distance up to 120 km. DFE has a significant advantage over LMS and AMF in reducing the inter-symbol interference (ISI) in a dispersive channel by using previous decision feedback, resulting in quicker convergence and more precise equalization. MLD on the other hand is highly effective in improving detection accuracy by taking into account the probability of various symbol sequences achieving lower error rates and enhancing performance in advanced modulation schemes. Furthermore, DFE and MLD are particularly suitable for higher-order modulation formats like 64-QAM and 128-QAM, where accurate equalization and error detection are of utmost importance. The enhanced functionalities of DFE and MLD in managing greater modulation orders and expanding transmission range highlight their efficacy in improving the performance and dependability of our system.

In this article, we simulate a converged 5G mm-wave analogue radio-over-fiber (A-RoF) system at 60 GHz, and perform offline signal processing to equalize the dispersive optical link with the three most frequently employed algorithms, i.e., the simple least mean square (LMS) algorithm, the constant modulus algorithm (CMA) and the adaptive median filtering (AMF), which are implemented in Matlab. The performances of the different algorithms are compared for various optical fiber lengths with respect to the EVM values obtained before and after equalization. In the case of QPSK in OFDM subcarriers, it is observed that the CMA algorithm performs better than the LMS and MF algorithms, with 2% and 1.4% EVM improvement respectively, while for 16QAM in OFDM subcarriers it is observed that the LMS algorithm has a very small improvement of 0.2% EVM compared to the MF algorithm, while CMA is not suitable for 16QAM modulation in the proposed converged 5G mm-wave A-RoF system at 60 GHz.