A precise time synchronization method for 5G based on radio-over-fiber network with SDN controller

There is an increasing demand on accurate time synchronization with the growing bandwidth of network service for 5G. In 5G network, it's necessary for base station to achieve accurate time synchronization to guarantee the quality of communication. In order to keep accuracy time for 5G network, we propose a time synchronization system for satellite ground station based on radio-over-fiber network (RoFN) with software defined optical network (SDON) controller. The advantage of this method is to improve the accuracy of time synchronization of ground station. The IEEE 1588 time synchronization protocol can solve the problems of high cost and lack of precision. However, in the process of time synchronization, distortion exists during the transmission of digital time signal. RoF uses analog optical transmission links and therefore analog transmission can be implemented among ground stations instead of digital transmission, which means distortion and bandwidth waste in the process of digital synchronization can be avoided. Additionally, the thought of SDN, software defined network, can optimize RoFN with centralized control and simplifying base station. Related simulation had been carried out to prove its superiority.