Receiver Energy Save Algorithm in MIMO 802.11n Wireless Networks

Background: The IEEE 802.11n standard has opened the door for fully leveraging Multiple-input Multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technologies in computer communications over wireless LANs. An 802.11n device using multiple transmit-receive antennas can reach data rates of up to 600Mbps. However the increased transfer rate comes at the cost of higher MIMO circuitry power consumption which grows with the number of active antennas. To combat this issue the IEEE 802.11n standard proposed the Spatial Multiplexing Power Save (SMPS) feature which allows an 802.11n device to retain one active receive antenna to mitigate MIMO circuitry power consumption. Unfortunately experiments revel that the SMPS feature may save MIMO circuitry power consumption but it does not always save power for the overall system. Technology Description: UCLA researchers in the Department of Computer Science have developed a novel MIMO Receiver Energy Save Algorithm that yields energy savings of up to 37% in 802.11n enabled portable devices over the IEEE 802.11n\'s default Spatial Multiplexing Power Save feature. Applications: Ideal for smart phones tablet PCs laptops and other 802.11n enabled portable devices.