Algorithm for wireless MIMO communications

Licensing opportunity

Researchers at Edinburgh University have developed a low-complexity algorithm based on Trellis Coded Spatial Modulation for multiple antenna communications, which they say can reduce power requirements or the need for more bandwidth for small antenna spacing and high channel correlation.

Trellis Coded Spatial Modulation is suitable for wireless multiple-input and multiple-output, or MIMO systems, allowing for low spatial separation between transmit antennas without significant performance degradation.

Power and bandwidth are limited resources in modern communication systems, but current schemes to maximise their use involve an increase in algorithm complexity to eliminate inter-channel interference.

Trellis Coded Spatial Modulation can demonstrate both low complexity and major improvements in signal to noise ration. The power saving thus achieved can be used to offer prolonged battery life, or allow a switch to higher order modulation and increase data rates for the same power investment.

This algorithm is 87 per cent less complex than the widely applied V-BLAST detection algorithm, resulting in lower bill of materials and manufacturing costs.

The algorithm could be applied to multiple antenna mobile communications, reducing the complexity of mobile base stations and cutting the power consumption of mobile handsets.

Edinburgh University is seeking interest from commercial organisations to license this technology on a non-exclusive basis.

For more information, see the project page at: http://www.university-technology.com/details/trellis-coded-spatial-modulation-algorithm-for-wireless-mimo-communications