A new report from Research and Markets, "Smart Antenna Controller Trends Report," discusses global and regional market trends, and forecasts regulatory issues, standards development, economic effects and strategic developments.

Smart antenna systems encompass more than initially meets the eye. Today, it’s more than simple multi-antenna diversity reception and transmission. Smart antenna systems have evolved in the way they use space and time to strengthen reception and focus transmissions. Advanced digital signal processing techniques come into play that use spatially separated and time-delayed signals to “build” robust incoming and outgoing signals, while reducing neighboring network interference.

The airwaves, available spectrum, are being filled with existing and emerging wireless technologies for PANs, WLANs, WANs and regional cellular and broadband wireless services (enter WiMAX). 3G services (UMTS and CDMA2000) are becoming well established, with 4G moving in. More than ever, wireless signals must be steered with surgical precision to cut through the ether clouds. Used for years in cellular systems, smart antenna technology has migrated to television, Wi-Fi, WiMAX and many industrial applications.
Smart antenna technology has the capability to extend the range and increase the efficiency of communications for almost every wireless communications technology and protocol, with perhaps the practical exception of ultrawideband.

The Research and Markets report states that the driving force for smart antenna development and deployment in the United States is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)—“The impetus for the FCC's urge for spectral efficiencies with smart antennas and cognitive radio schemes is the need to provide the government with increased spectrum availability and improved operator economy. The evolution and development of Smart Antennas have been driven by economics.”
Smart antenna technology is being adopted rapidly to enhance the performance and user experience of maturing wireless technologies. In so doing, radio spectrum is being used more efficiently, and operators enjoy increased revenues and margins from satisfied customers.

MIMO anyone?

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