Freescale Funds Four Next-Generation Wireless Research Projects at WNCG

Freescale Semiconductor, a WNCG industrial affiliate, strengthened its support of the WNCG by providing gift funds for four new research projects in the areas of antenna design for MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) systems, peak-to-average ratio reduction for OFDM communication systems, benefits of MIMO for supporting voice communication in CDMA, and cross-technology optimization for adaptation in the IEEE 802.16e standard.

The project on antenna design for MIMO communication systems seeks to answer the question of how to design small arrays that exploit spatial, pattern, and polarization diversity but are suitable for implementation in small handsets. According to the principle investigator, Prof. Robert W. Heath Jr., "antenna design is one of the most under-researched aspects of MIMO communication yet perhaps the most critical for successful deployment of MIMO in IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.11n, and 3G." This project will develop a cross-layer approach to antenna design that takes into account the impact of correlation and mutual coupling on link-layer performance metrics.

With the introduction of advanced technologies such as MIMO, OFDMA, hybrid ARQ, and smart scheduling, the IEEE 802.16e standard introduces new "knobs" not available in any commercial wireless system. Recognizing the challenge of optimization, Freescale funded a project to research cross-technology optimization where combinations of different technologies are used to maximize system throughput. The current emphasis of the work, led by Prof. Heath and Prof. Jeffrey Andrews, is to reduce the parameter space by using different knobs in different circumstances, thus reducing adaptation requirements.

A major challenge in the design of high-performance low-cost wireless communication systems, particularly those employing OFDM or CDMA, is maximizing the efficiency of non-linear power amplifiers in presence of a high peak to average ratio (PAR). Prof. Andrews and Prof. Ed Powers will lead an effort to reduce the required output backoff for the subscriber units in the OFDM-based 802.16e standard using a new joint approach to PAR-reduction and memory-based predistortion.

The final project explores employing multiple antennas in CDMA wireless networks such as WCDMA and HSDPA in order to increase voice and data capacity. Although such a concept is not new, it has been difficult in the past to use MIMO techniques other than simple transmit diversity in an interference-limited environment. This research, led by Prof. Andrews and Prof. Heath, will leverage their respective expertise in CDMA and MIMO technology to develop low-complexity MIMO-CDMA techniques.

Freescale’s new collaboration with WNCG shows Freescale’s aggressive commitment to working with top university research programs to develop new ideas and solutions for pressing problems in wireless communications and networking.

The final project explores employing multiple antennas in CDMA wireless networks such as WCDMA and HSDPA in order to increase voice and data capacity. Although such a concept is not new, it has been difficult in the past to use MIMO techniques other than simple transmit diversity in an interference-limited environment. This research, led by Prof. Andrews and Prof. Heath, will leverage their respective expertise in CDMA and MIMO technology to develop low-complexity MIMO-CDMA techniques.

Freescale’s new collaboration with WNCG shows Freescale’s aggressive commitment to working with top university research programs to develop new ideas and solutions for pressing problems in wireless communications and networking.