Smart Antenna Systems Improve Mobile and In-Building Business Cases

ABI: Mobile network operators are facing an increasing demand for data over their radio access networks, which could lead to extra costs unless new techniques are used to improve spectral efficiency. Similar demands are also likely from in-building wireless LANs and pico/femto cells, as IPTV and other bandwidth-hungry services are deployed both in the home and the enterprise. Telecom networks are going through a period of profound change as traffic moves from voice to broadband data services. This brings with it increasing pressure to use the radio spectrum more efficiently if a rapid rise in base station numbers is to be avoided. Smart antenna systems (SAS), regarded as a research novelty until recently, can be used to improve radio access network and in-building wireless performance. This results in a more compelling business case as spectral efficiency is dramatically improved. For users SAS provide better coverage and delivers higher data rates. For vendors, SAS will allow specialist firms to develop new forms of antenna system suited for indoor and outdoor applications and for 2G, 3G, (macro, pico and femto cells) and WLAN networks, as well as WiMAX, using all the IEEE standards. Smart Antenna Systems

Publ 20060928