Radio over fiber (RoF) refers to a technology whereby light is modulated by a radio signal and

transmitted over an optical fiber link to facilitate wireless access, such as 3G and WiFi
simultaneous from the same antenna.[1] In other words, radiosignals are carried over fiber-
optic cable
[google]

Radio over fiber technology is a growing part of many cellular communications

network plans. As broadband services, such as high-speed data and streaming
video, become more prevalent in cellular networks, the available bandwidth of
those networks will be quickly consumed. In order to conserve or increase capacity,
many network planners are looking to millimeter-wave links or optical cables
between a base station (BS) and a central control station (CS) in order to route
large-bandwidth signals without overtaxing the lower-frequency wireless channels
within the system.

In this architecture, the CS performs switching, medium access control (MAC), and
other frequency-management functions, taking the burden for this processing from
the BS units. Although millimeter-wave bands at 71 to 76 GHz and 81 to 86 GHz
have been allocated by the United States Federal Communications Commission
(www.fcc. gov) for point-to-point communications applications such as between the
BS units and the CS, the connection can also be made physically, through the use of
optical fiber. The technique involves simple electrical-to-optical and optical-to-
electrical conversions, and takes advantage of the large bandwidths afforded by
optical fibers as well as its low signal loss and immunity to electromagnetic
interference (EMI).

By using this radio over fiber approach in a cellular network, the main function of
the BS is to convert optical signals to wireless signals to optical signals and optical
signals to wireless signals, while the complex signal process and frequency
management chores are handled by the CS. This simplifies the design of the BS and
allows the CS to perform dynamic capacity allocations based on changing customer
demands.

Optical communications does not involve the antenna boresighting required of

millimeter-wave links, and does not suffer atmospheric effects, fading, and
propagation losses. Of course, optical links must be installed over the full coverage
area while millimeter-wave links work from point to point. Most network planners
view practical solutions involving multiple technologies, including cellular
frequencies, millimeterwave, and radio over fiber components.
[http://mwrf.com/markets/what-radio-over-fiber]