Europe UK : A signal processing technique designed to speed-up and increase data transfer to mobile devices without increasing bandwidth,is set to be commercialised by The University of Manchester Intellectual Property (UMIP).

Increasing numbers of consumers are using mobile phones for additional purposes like satellite navigation, photography and internet access. In response to the issues that this creates due to the ever-increasing data rates required, Dr Daniel So has discovered a novel solution.

MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) technology, combined with spatial multiplexing, can increase the data transfer rate. However, the current success with applying this to mobile devices is limited because at least as many receiving antennas as transmitting antennas are required to operate it - which means large, cumbersome devices.

Dr So's solution allows the number of receiving antennas for spatial multiplexing to be reduced, therefore enabling smaller, cheaper and less power-hungry' mobile devices. With this method, as few as just one receiver antenna is required for multiple transmit antennas.

The technology will enable mobile operators to offer high data rates to customers without increasing bandwidth. Consumers will also benefit by gaining high-quality wireless services with very small and cheaper devices operating at low power.

The University of Manchester Intellectual Property company (UMIP) has assisted Dr So in applying for a patent. UMIP is also marketing the technology with the aim of securing a licensing deal.

UMIP business manager, Fiona Saunders said: "We are keen to take this technology to the next level. We'd like to hear from mobile phone companies or designers of DSP chip sets which may be interested in licensing the technology."

Wireless communication systems which could potentially use MIMO spatial multiplexing technology include wireless LAN; Laptop PCs; data adapter cards; future cellular systems, such as 3G LTE and 4G and mobile devices like smart phones and PDAs.

UMIP helps to nurture and develop innovative ideas that originate from within the University and turn them into commercial ventures.

UMIP

The University of Manchester Intellectual Property Limited (UMIP) is the managing agent of The University of Manchester for intellectual property commercialisation. UMIP's role is to enhance the scale and quality of The University's intellectual property development and commercialisation activities.