Mobile devices are facing increasing challenges due to wireless signal congestion, especially with the expansion of 5G and 6G networks. A research group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed a new wireless receiver architecture that promises to significantly improve the performance of these devices by blocking up to four times more interference than current designs.

This advancement is achieved through an innovative millimeter-wave multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) non-reciprocal phase shifter, which can cancel unwanted signals from the beginning of the reception process. By filtering out these interferences early, unwanted signals are prevented from being amplified, thereby improving signal quality and reducing problems such as choppy calls or poor video transmission.

Additionally, this new receiver is compact and energy efficient. Its design allows interference blocking components to be activated and deactivated as needed, contributing to more efficient battery use in mobile devices.

The implementation of this technology in mobile phones could lead to a notable improvement in the user experience, especially in environments with high signal density, such as urban areas. The MIT team is now seeking to scale this technology for use in larger systems and on the new frequencies used by 6G networks, also facing interference from satellites. This development represents an important step towards improving connectivity and energy efficiency in the next generation of mobile devices.

Font: https://news.mit.edu/2024/wireless-receiver-blocks-interference-better-mobile-device-performance-0627