Enabling multimode MIMO

The ability to run MIMO (multi in, multi out) is an essential part of today's cutting edge wireless standards, including IEEE 802.11n (Wi-Fi), 4G, 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), WiMAX and HSPA+.

Using multiple antennas at both the transmitter and the receiver significantly improves communication performance and MIMO has attracted significant attention in the wireless comms sector as it significantly increases both throughput and link range without additional bandwidth or transmit power.

Lime's field programmable RF transceiver (LMS6002D) has been used by many firms to deliver this and here we outline one of the more advanced projects

Azcom Technology has combined four LMS6002D FPRFs with a Lattice FPGA to create a proprietary RF card supporting both 4x4 HSPA+, 4x4 LTE, or simultaneous 2x2 HSPA+ and LTE.

The ngSCBP-RF board supports different channel bandwidths (from 1.4 MHz up to 20 MHz) and a wide tuning range (from 700 MHz to 2600 MHz).

Azcom has cited three main operating scenarios: LTE/HSPA+ multicarriers, 4x4 MIMO and dual standard MIMO. The high output power (typically 1/2 watt average per antenna) makes ngSCBP-RF suitable for homes and enterprises as well as metropolitan and rural public spaces.