Transponder systems and methods for radio-over-fiber (ROF) wireless picocellular systems

A radiation-reflector assembly for a transponder system for a radio-over-fiber (RoF) wireless picocellular system, comprising:

• a radiation-reflecting member adapted to reflect radio-frequency (RF) radiation;
• a support member arranged to support the radiation-reflecting member;
• and
• a mounting member arranged to engage the support member so as to support the support member and radiation-reflecting member in a position relative to the antenna system so as to provide enhanced antenna directivity as compared to the absence of the radiation-reflecting member.

A transponder radio-frequency identification (RFID) system, comprising:

• a radio-over-fiber (RoF) transponder adapted to convert radio-frequency (RF) electrical signals to RF optical signals and vice versa;
• a RFID tag positioned relative to the transponder and adapted to produce a RFID-tag signal that functions as a ping signal to locate the RFID tag;
• and
• a RFID tag reader adapted to cause the RFID tag to emit the RFID-tag signal and to detect and process the RFID tag signal.

A tether cable assembly for a radio-over-fiber (RoF) wireless picocellular system having an optical fiber cable, comprising:

• a tether cable having at least one optical fiber, at least one electrical wire, and proximal and distal ends;
• a spool around which the tether cable can be coiled and uncoiled;
• a housing surrounding the spool and having a first slot sized to pass the tether cable;
• a RoF transponder connected to tether cable proximate end;
• and
• wherein the tether cable distal end is adapted to operably couple to the optical fiber cable.