Modern wireless communication applications are characterized by the need for advanced signal processing techniques such as Multiple-Input Multiple-Output technology for achieving high throughput and diversity and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing for achieving robustness to multipath fading. 

The MIMO system is an attractive technology for wireless 3G/4G systems.

 

Recently, Sigma Designs, a provider of system-on-chip solutions used to deliver entertainment and control throughout the home, announced it is the first company to deliver MIMO or "multiple input, multiple output" features over power line communications chipsets.

Adding MIMO functionality will deliver up to twice the performance of existing power line solutions when used in conjunction with the new ITU standard, G.hn.

 

MIMO delivers a substantial improvement in power line performance because it utilizes all three wires in a power outlet: the phase, the neutral and the ground. By using all three wires, instead of just two, multiple inputs and outputs can be created. It opens up more channels of communications across the home which results in higher guaranteed throughput, increased robustness, and better immunity to noise and improved coverage across outlets.

 

With this new technology, Sigma Designs' (News - Alert) products work much better with surge protectors and across multiple phases - the leading inhibitors to mass deployment of power line today. By using MIMO, Sigma will be able to deliver multiple HD video streams to over 99 percent of the power outlets worldwide.

 

Gabi Hilevitz, vice president and general manager, Home Connectivity Group of Sigma Designs said that the company sees great interest from the market for Sigma's new MIMO features.

 

Gary Schultz, chief executive officer of Multimedia Research Group said that installation complexity and cost are among the biggest impediments to IPTV (News - Alert) deployment success and this new announcement by Sigma could simplify the installation process and change the cost structure for deploying IPTV. He continued that this could change the industry landscape by making G.hn powerline communication a standard networking technology embedded into consumer electronics devices, gateways and set top boxes.

 

In related news SATIMO (News - Alert) is offering innovative MIMO test systems to laboratories.