Researchers at
Princeton University have developed a system and method for multi-node
beamforming, a method/protocol of synchronizing two or more independent wireless
transmitters to enable transmission as a ¿virtual array antenna¿ which can lower
overall needed transmission power (increasing battery life), increase the signal
to noise ratio at the receiver, and lower the signal quality for any
eavesdroppers. The new technology solves prior issues with
distributed beamforming systems related to the alignment (synchronization) of
phases and frequencies of the transmitters. Princeton is currently seeking
an industrial collaborator to commercialize this technology.
Distributed
beamforming has several advantages. By focusing the transmission toward the
intended destination less transmit power is needed to achieve a desired
signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) target. This feature is particularly appealing
in wireless communication systems with energy-constrained nodes, such as sensor
networks. In these types of systems, nodes are typically too small to
allow for the use of conventional antenna arrays. The method can be
applied to wireless communications networks having any number of M>1
stationary or mobile source nodes, each of which is capable only of half-duplex
transmission and reception, and none of which have knowledge of their local time
or their location within the network. The effects of Doppler shifts and moving
platforms are also accounted for, and the present invention can also be applied
to acoustic communications networks, i.e., networks of nodes which communicate
using acoustic waves
It is
anticipated that this technology will be useful in Long
Term Evolution wireless technologies
(LTE). Patent protection is pending.
For more information please contact:
William H. Gowen
Office of Technology Licensing and Intellectual Property
Princeton University
4 New South Building
Princeton, NJ 08544-0036
(609) 258-6762
(609) 258-1159 fax
wgowen@princeton.edu