MegaMIMO (PDF): Researchers at MIT claim they have created a network-intensive technology that could triple the speed of Wi-Fi and double its breadth.
The MIT team has devised a system that can overcome the bandwidth limitations of each Wi-Fi that stem from the limited available spectrum for data transfer to and from wireless devices.
Researchers in the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) have developed new signal processing algorithms that allow multiple routers and other wireless access points to simultaneously transmit data to multiple recipients using at the same frequency and without interference.
Researchers describe the method, called MegaMIMO 2.0, in a new document (MIMO), which claims to be able to transfer data up to three times faster than existing routers and to double their bandwidth.
Such systems could improve wireless speed, and researchers believe it will be particularly useful in areas with heavy traffic congestion such as concert venues and conference centers. Research can also change how businesses and universities offer connectivity to thousands of users, allowing them to use the available spectrum more effectively.
The technique is based on MIMO, a wireless technology that bounces signals from walls, ceilings and objects to hit a receiving antenna multiple times, from different angles. As Intel says about MIMO technology, adding more antennas is usually equivalent to higher speeds. For example, a three-antenna router can support speeds up to 600Mbps, while a device with two antennas reaches 300Mbps.
However, MegaMIMO 2,0 developers argue that most antennas can not solve spectrum problems.
"In today's wireless world, you can not solve the spectrum crisis by using more transmitters, because everyone will continue to interfere with others," said Ezzeldin Hamed, a PhD student and supervisor.
"The answer is to make all these access points work together at the same time to make effective use of the available range."
According to MIT, new technology will soon be on the market, although there is no indication of when.
