Space-time codes for future WLANs: principles, practice, and performance

The mobility and ubiquitous access afforded by wireless local area networks (WLANs) and high-performance portable products promise to revolutionize the way we live, work, and play. However, sustained improvements in the throughput of WLANs, while also supporting robust long-range operation, requires the use of multiple antennas at both the mobile terminal and the access point. This article reviews the various space-time coding and decoding technologies employed for capitalizing on the increased capacity of the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radio channel. Also described is a channel sounding campaign performed in the office environments used to scope the expected performance of these space-time codes in realistic deployments.