Virtual MIMO boosts LTE networks

Telecoms mega vendor, Nokia Siemens Networks, said Wednesday that it has demonstrated how a virtual Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) method can be used for the uplink in LTE (Long Term Evolution) networks.

Using the SDMA (Space Division Multiple Access) technique, also known as virtual MIMO, Nokia has got two standard mobile devices, each with only one physical transmission antenna, communicating with a base station simultaneously and on the same radio channel.

This technique has delivered an aggregated uplink transmission speed of 108Mbps, rather than the usual 54Mbps, the vendor claims.

While MIMO on the downlink primarily generates higher peak data rates for the end user, virtual MIMO on the uplink benefits the network operator by making it possible to increase network capacity and better use the available spectrum.

Nokia also said that LTE devices are to have “acceptable” power consumption requirements despite being used for data intensive applications and will be available at “moderate prices”.

“An important aspect of future wireless systems is less cost and complexity, coupled with optimum use of existing frequency bands,” said Stephan Scholz, CTO of Nokia Siemens Networks. “Our experimental system enabled us to demonstrate the feasibility and great advantage of SDMA for future wireless systems and specifically for LTE. As a result, we have obtained another important module for LTE and demonstrated the considerable potential of this standard.”