Blowing the Doors Off Performance: Diversity Coming to the Mobile Phone

global ABI Research: Since the mobile phone is a very price-sensitive product, engineers will find ways to eliminate a component worth just a few cents in order to reduce costs in a segment where volumes run to 700 million units a year. Why would they even think about incorporating "diversity" technology in the handset, requiring two antennas and two radio frequency chains with all their associated circuitry? The answer lies in the increasing demand for data services in the cellphone. Applications such as gaming and sharing of pictures, music and video demand a shift from the asymmetric high downlink data rates of the past to a more symmetrical speed requirement. The performance of the uplink (always the weaker link in the system) will become critical. Some ways to optimize the uplink involve new performance-enhancing algorithms and protocols, but they would require industry consensus and approval by standards bodies, which could take years. Another method is to increase base station coverage and use methods such as frequency planning and sectorization, but those are expensive propositions. Enter diversity in the handset. Early studies indicate up to a 7 dB increase in performance which will translate to increased error-free symmetric traffic, improved network coverage and spectrum, longer battery life and more satisfied customers.Wireless Semiconductors Research Service Publ 20050615