5G wireless research nears breakthrough

[Bearcat]

A new technology that allows devices to send and receive data at the same time could debut in a few years as the foundation for future 5G networks, its developers say.

Currently in development at Houston's Rice University, the "full duplex" wireless technology would allow wireless devices such as cell phones and tablets to both "talk" and "listen" to wireless cell towers on the same frequency — something not possible with today's 3G and 4G technology.

"Our solution requires minimal new hardware, both for mobile devices and for networks, which is why we've attracted the attention of just about every wireless company in the world," said Ashutosh Sabharwal, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Rice.

"I expect people may start seeing this when carriers upgrade to 4.5G or 5G networks in just a few years."

Sabharwal and his team have been developing full duplex transmission since 2010, and this summer the group set new performance records with a real-time demo of the technology that produced signal quality at least 10 times better than any past results.

Full duplex technology could easily be implemented into current devices by tweaking current hardware.

"Device makers love this because real estate inside mobile devices is at a premium," Sabharwal said.

Full duplex wireless was long thought impossible, Sabharwal said. To understand why, imagine two people standing far apart inside an otherwise empty arena. If both people shouted at the same time, neither would hear what the other was saying.

The easy solution is to have only one person speak at a time, and that's what happens on two-way radios. Cellphones achieve two-way communication by using two different frequencies to send and listen.

Rice's team overcame the full duplex hurdle by employing an extra antenna and some computing tricks. In the shouting analogy, the result is that the shouter cannot hear himself, and therefore hears only the other person.

"We send two signals such that they cancel each other at the receiving antenna — the device ears," Sabharwal said. "The canceling effect is purely local, so the other node can still hear what we're sending."

Sabharwal says his team is already working on the next phase of the technology, called asynchronous full duplex — that is, one wireless node can start receiving a signal while it's transmitting.

Asynchronous transmission would be important for carriers wishing to maximize traffic on their networks.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44442743/ns/technology_and_science-wireless/

I think this concept is pretty fascinating and can't to see how it all develops.

[BigGuy]

That looks really cool! I would like to try it out when it becomes available.

[Student26]

In canada most of the networks had 3G.

Word of warning cell phone service in Canada is pretty terrible since the government restricted available providers. It costs an arm and a leg and the srevice can be less than satifactory.

[hellnoire]

In canada most of the networks had 3G.

Word of warning cell phone service in Canada is pretty terrible since the government restricted available providers. It costs an arm and a leg and the srevice can be less than satifactory.

Less then satisfactory?

You've not lived in Canada long, if you can say that. More along the lines of 'disgusting and atrocious'.

Telus/Bell/Rogers are in a tripoly, if you could call it that. And doesn't help they make spinoff ones for if you don't like Bell, you can use Virgin. Or if you hate Rogers, use Fido. Or if you hate Telus, use Koodo.

Doesn't help that CTRC isn't doing anything to change that.... they tried shutting down Sky Media, from the UK. Thankfully, the gov't. did overrule it... but still..

[JayCub]

Thank you Bear for sharing the read, Ireland has good 3G service and a good few providers although we pay much higher than our cousins in the UK or most of europe, plus it will take even longer to reach these shores. The Irish are famous for their banter, so these companies do make a good profit, it's downt to the comunications regulator to try and bring us inline with other countries.

[Bearcat]

So Jay, are you telling us the Irish are full of blarney then?

[Student26]

Less then satisfactory?

You've not lived in Canada long, if you can say that. More along the lines of 'disgusting and atrocious'.

Telus/Bell/Rogers are in a tripoly, if you could call it that. And doesn't help they make spinoff ones for if you don't like Bell, you can use Virgin. Or if you hate Rogers, use Fido. Or if you hate Telus, use Koodo.

Doesn't help that CTRC isn't doing anything to change that.... they tried shutting down Sky Media, from the UK. Thankfully, the gov't. did overrule it... but still..

Just trying to be diplomatic, have not lived in any other part of the world for an extended period of time so I cannot truly compare beyond reports and word of mouth.

I have to agree that the current system is outdated and needs to be improved.

[hellnoire]

Just trying to be diplomatic, have not lived in any other part of the world for an extended period of time so I cannot truly compare beyond reports and word of mouth.

I have to agree that the current system is outdated and needs to be improved.

Heh, you raise a good point. There are still worse places out there then Canada, that much I will admit.

[Bearcat]

There are still worse places out there then Canada, that much I will admit

Yeah, like the USA. Try living in country where the gov't is trillions of dollars in debt, and they still want to play being imperialist big shots. I do vote, but the candidates I like are independants and most everyone else votes either for the democrat or republican candidate, so things never change for the better. Sorry for the rant, but I am totally disgusted by what is going on in this country and frustrated that I can't change things.

[hellnoire]

Yeah, like the USA. Try living in country where the gov't is trillions of dollars in debt, and they still want to play being imperialist big shots. I do vote, but the candidates I like are independants and most everyone else votes either for the democrat or republican candidate, so things never change for the better. Sorry for the rant, but I am totally disgusted by what is going on in this country and frustrated that I can't change things.

Aye, I'm aware. My girlfriend, being American herself, is not proud of "good ol' USA" and is why she's coming to Canada once all her schooling is done.