Array Design and Beamforming for Wireless MIMO Systems

Overview

Phased array front-ends in MIMO communications systems enable a range of spatial signal processing algorithms including beamforming which are critical to achieving the desired performance of 5G, satellite, airborne, and other modern wireless applications.

In this session, we will introduce techniques to design and evaluate MIMO antenna arrays which can be used in wireless communication systems, including 5G systems. We will look at ways to model, design and synthesize the array geometry, element spacing, subarrays, tapering and the effects of mutual coupling. The session will demonstrate ways to apply the appropriate level of fidelity at each stage of the project. We will also demonstrate techniques to explore architectural trade-offs for beamforming and related spatial signal processing algorithms. These techniques can be used to improve channel capacity and data throughput in multi-user scenarios. They also can be used to identify and eliminate interference sources in shared spectrum environments. 

Highlights

You will learn to:

• Design multi-beam and electronically steerable antennas for massive MIMO and mmWave systems.
• Use antenna arrays to improve the SNR and capacity of a wireless link.
• Send multiple data streams through a scatter-rich channel by using a set of precoding and combining weights derived from the channel matrix.
• Employ hybrid beamforming at the transmit end of a massive MIMO communications system, applicable to both multi-user and single-user systems.

About the Presenter

Rick Gentile focuses on Phased Array, Signal Processing, and Sensor Fusion applications at MathWorks. Prior to joining MathWorks, Rick was a Radar Systems Engineer at MITRE and MIT Lincoln Laboratory, where he worked on the development of many large radar systems. Rick also was a DSP Applications Engineer at Analog Devices where he led embedded processor and system level architecture definitions for high performance signal processing systems, including automotive driver assist systems. Rick co-authored the text “Embedded Media Processing”. He received a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and an M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Northeastern University, where his focus areas of study included Microwave Engineering, Communications and Signal Processing.