Abstract

Optical true-time-delay (OTTD) beamforming is a promising solution to support the ultra-broadband radio access network. However, large-scale antenna arrays set at remote radio units require the OTTD counterpart to have corresponding larger-scale channel numbers. Here, we demonstrate an OTTD remote beamforming network with a record 287 channel number using electro-optic frequency combs and multicore fiber. Our proposed scheme can generate beams for both one-dimensional and two-dimensional antenna arrays. We highlight that using multicore fiber not only increases the channel numbers but also supports remote beamforming. We estimate the long-term stability of this remote beamforming network, and 1-ps-level relative time delay variation in 2 h is obtained when using multicore fiber. It is one order of magnitude better than using parallel single-mode fibers. Thus, highly stable beamforming is achieved. These results pave the way for the application of OTTD beamforming in 5G and beyond networks.

© 2021 Optical Society of America

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