Mobile MIMO technology: a disruptive technology for portable devices

November 10, 2023

Introduction of mobile MIMO technology

As early as ten years ago, multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) radio architecture has been applied in Wi-Fi 802.11n products. When this technology was introduced, by taking advantage of the unique main body advantages of the multi-transceiver radio frequency system, the performance and coverage of the existing Wi-Fi network were greatly improved. However, the realization of its high-performance design is at the expense of large models and high power consumption. Due to its large footprint and high power consumption, today's MIMO technology is mainly used in wall-powered wireless network products, such as hot spots (Hot Spots) ), Home routers or larger handheld devices such as notebooks.

The first-generation tablet manufacturers had to borrow Wi-Fi solutions from smartphones. The solution is a small integrated system-on-chip. The system integrates a single-channel antenna combination radio architecture including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and FM. Although these solutions meet the requirements of tablet PCs in terms of power and industrial design limitations, they cannot incorporate the performance of PCs into tablet PCs.

Fortunately, the new generation of wireless products meets both of the previously mentioned requirements. The introduction of mobile MIMO technology puts another transceiver into a real MIMO technology device, so that the next-generation tablet computer can finally have a PC experience.

Figure 1: With flexible antenna position selection, the Mobile MIMO configuration reduces the possibility of signals being blocked (blocking the source: such as the user's hand).

Five contributing factors

1. Performance: Mobile MIMO technology means that Wi-Fi connection technology with wider coverage can eventually be applied to small devices. The designer can make the wireless connection performance of the handheld device reach 300Mbps. And the battery life of mobile phones will not be seriously affected. The connection speed is two to three times the connection speed that current devices can reach. At the same time, the technology can achieve stable video data streams, support online games and more other interesting features.

2. Multi-antenna technology: The industrial design of the tablet computer makes the antenna technology face challenges. The Wi-Fi performance and reliability problems of the first generation products mostly stem from the configuration and application of a single antenna. The signal emitted by the antenna installed behind the monitor or on the side of the device may be blocked by a flat surface or the user's hand. If equipped with two antennas, the communication signal it sends can bypass the place where the tablet may be placed and operated. A MIMO Wi-Fi wireless architecture can improve the robustness of the connection while reducing the possibility of signal blocking

3. Wireless integration technology: The wireless subsystem is installed in the available circuit board space. The combination of 802.11n mobile MIMO technology and Bluetooth and frequency modulation is necessary. Optimizing wireless signals for coordinated operation and stable shared antennas between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is important for reducing costs.

4. Low-power technology: The supplement of Bluetooth 4.0 low-power technology in the mobile MIMO technology portfolio will further stimulate people's demand for tablet computers. Because it implements new functions without affecting battery life. End users want their mobile devices to be seamlessly connected to other devices, because these devices have or will become essential in their lives. These devices include portable sensors for personal health monitoring, or home media equipment, or automated devices.

5. I / O interface: This type of wireless technology combination is equipped with high-speed, low-power I / O interface. It will reduce the potential performance bottleneck caused by the combination of MIMO wireless technology and application processors. Seeking High Speed Inter-Connect (HSIC) and SDIO 3.0 as the standard for connecting tablet PCs to connected system-on-chips.

summary

In the next few years, as many new tablets and super phones flood the market, designers will continue to step up their performance improvements and continue to allow their products to show their individuality in the market due to their performance. With Marvell's current sample Avastar 8797 802.11n 2x2 + Bluetooth 4.0 + FM Tx / Rx single chip, they have a unique connection solution that can ensure that the product creates a PC connection experience on a mobile platform. For more information about product launches, please check: Marvell introduced the industry's first "mobile MIMO" Wi-Fi solution.

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Author:

Ms. Zoe Zhong

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sales07@ynxantenna.com

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+8618617178558