San Jose, California, September 30, 2003 --- IMEC, Europe’s leading independent microelectronics and ICT research center, announces 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. Trade offs can be made between reach, capacitance and power consumption. 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.

Next-generation WLAN (wireless local area network) services target specifications of up to 100Mbps at ranges up to 100m. This requires a spectacular increase in bandwidth efficiency 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 (TX) processing and receiver (RX) 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 base station. 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 base station: transmit processing in the downlink and receive processing in the uplink. The technology effectively combines the increased data rate 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 analyzed 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 analog 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 multi-hop 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 programs ranging from long-term research contracts, bilateral collaboration contracts, technology transfers and license agreements to industrial affiliation programs.

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Notes to editors

About IMEC

IMEC (Inter-university MicroElectronics Center) was founded in 1984 and today is Europe’s largest independent research center in the field of microelectronics, nanotechnology, enabling design methods and technologies for ICT systems. IMEC's activities concentrate on the design technology for integrated information and communication systems; silicon process steps and modules, silicon processes; nanotechnology, microsystems, novel devices and packaging; solar cells; and advanced training in microelectronics. IMEC is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has a staff of more than 1250 people including over 380 industrial residents and guest researchers. Its revenue of more than 138Meuro is derived from agreements and contracts with the Flemish government, equipment and material suppliers and semiconductor and system-oriented companies worldwide, the EC, MEDEA+ and ESA. News from IMEC is located at www.imec.be.

For more information:

IMEC contact:                                                        

Katrien Marent                                                        

Corporate Communication Manager             

IMEC, Kapeldreef 75                                              

B- 3001 Leuven, Belgium                            

Tel +32 16 28 18 80 Fax +32 16 28 16 37     

Email: Katrien.Marent@imec.be