UK-based Antenova has announced a contract with the Radiocommunications Agency to develop multi-input multi-output (MIMO) prototype antenna arrays.
The contract was won by a collaboration consisting of Antenova, the Queen Mary University of London and operator, Orange.
It forms part of a wider investigation commissioned by the Radiocommunications Agency into optimising spectrum efficiency to enable future expansion of wireless network systems by using MIMO technology with multiple antennas at the handset and base stations.
Antenova's role is to design an antenna that will provide more capacity, allow more calls and increased data rates.
It is envisaged that the company's High Dielectric Antenna (HDA) technology will provide high degrees of isolation between the multiple antennas on these small devices.
The Queen Mary University will provide complimentary technology known as photonic band-gap surfaces, which can serve to enhance isolation between antennas. In addition, the university will be investigating alternative antenna technologies, which could provide both spatial and polarisation diversities for MIMO technology. Orange will be supporting the venture by providing a technical and commercial perspective, from an operator's standpoint.