Product category:
Antennas and Feeders
News Release from: IMEC | Subject: Multiple antenna technology
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 03 October 2003
Multiple antenna technology offers
broadband WLANs
IMEC has developed a solution for a smart and flexible multiple antenna system that enables optimal use of resources in wireless networks.
IMEC has developed a solution for a smart and flexible multiple antenna system that enables optimal use of resources in wireless networks Besides various MIMO (multiple input multiple output) operation modes, it also provides SDMA (spatial division multiple access), a feature that by upgrading the access point with multiple antennas, dramatically increases the capacity
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 20 Feb 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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The solution will be proposed under IEEE802.11n and other upcoming standards and will lead to true low-cost, low-power broadband wireless solutions.
The solution also offers a next-generation wireless systems roadmap, taking into account backwards compatibility with existing standards and systems.
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Next-generation WLAN (wireless local area network) services target specifications of up to 100Mbit/s at ranges up to 100m.
This requires an increase in bandwidth efficiency of up to five times that can be achieved through multiple antenna modems and suitable space-time processing.
IMEC's multiple antenna technology targets the implementation of two different system concepts whereby multiple streams can be transmitted in parallel: transmitter processing and receiver processing.
The distinctive characteristic of this technology is that it allows the use of conventional terminal transceivers without spatial processing requirements, keeping most of the complexity within the basestation.
This can be achieved by combining both schemes into a single entity where all the spatial processing - whether transmit or receive - is done at the basestation: transmit processing in the downlink and receive processing in the uplink.
The technology effectively combines the increased datarate offered by MIMO with increased network capacity offered by SDMA.
IMEC has built up extensive knowledge and unique patented IP in the field of OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing), MIMO, SDMA and combined MIMO/SDMA systems.
The expertise enables high-performance (improved robustness, higher rates and resistance to interference), yet cost-effective solutions that will upgrade wireless systems with multiple antennas.
This solution will be proposed to IEEE802.11n and other upcoming wireless standards.
IMEC's research results span the realms of digital signal processing, mixed-signal aspects and MAC/QoS.
The enhancements of the OFDM-based WLAN systems achieved by these multiple antenna concepts have been analysed by using an in-house developed Matlab toolbox.
The MIMO-TX scheme is completed up to VHDL level and a special mixed-signal activity is ongoing for the analogue transceivers.
Matlab models are available for the MIMO-RX scheme and performances have been evaluated.
Within the next months, several wireless demonstrators will be completed to prove these concepts.
The technology will ultimately be a crucial enabler of a wireless multimedia grid, which will be based on multihop architectures.
Within the wireless grid, a conglomeration of devices will automatically configure itself to provide low-power wireless systems with optimal flexibility, service quality and quantity by distributing the necessary compute power, transmission power and storage.
The Matlab models of IMEC's multiple antenna technology are available to give industry early insight into these high-end solutions.
IMEC's foundations for these multiple antenna technologies for wireless systems are based on generic patented technologies, which are accessible to industrial partners through a variety of business solutions and dynamic interaction programmes ranging from long-term research contracts, bilateral collaboration contracts, technology transfers and licence agreements to industrial affiliation programmes.
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