A MIMO-OFDM prototype for next-generation wireless WANs

  • Authors:
  • C. Dubuc;D. Starks;T. Creasy;Yong Hou

  • Affiliations:
  • Nortel Networks, Ont., Canada;-;-;-

  • Venue:
  • IEEE Communications Magazine
  • Year:
  • 2004

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Abstract

Coupled with a robust and efficient OFDM air interface, MIMO technologies lead to a very compelling high-speed data downlink solution for future wireless systems. This article presents Nortel Networks' MIMO-OFDM concept prototype and measured performance results. This prototype has been developed in the framework of a Nortel Networks system concept for 3G evolution systems and next-generation wide area wireless networks. The prototype is based on a shared access MIMO-OFDM physical layer in the downlink, supporting adaptive modulation and coding, with peak rates up to 37 Mb/s. The uplink is based on an enhanced UMTS WCDMA physical layer. Performance for the high-speed downlink has been measured under various emulated fading conditions. The measured performance illustrates the robustness of OFDM in frequency-selective channels and high-speed mobility channels, supporting speeds as high as 200 km/h. The prototype can also be used for over-the-air assessment of the technology.