DPD-KAN: Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks for Low Complexity Digital Predistortion in 5G Analog Radio-over-Fiber Systems

Abstract

We demonstrate the first KAN-based DPD model for 5G analog RoF fronthaul link, achieving a 24.2% lower EVM than multi-layer perceptron and 29.6% lower than Volterra-based GMP at equivalent Bit Operations. To attain an EVM below 2%, KAN requires ~52% fewer BOPs than a perceptron.

arXiv commentPaper accepted for oral presentation at ECOC 2026