Antenna subset selection for cyclic prefix assisted MIMO wireless communications over frequency selective channels

Antenna (subset) selection techniques are feasible to reduce the hardware complexity of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, while keeping the benefits of higher-order MIMO systems. Many studies of antenna selection schemes are based on frequency-flat channel models, which are inconsistent to broadband MIMO systems employing spatial-multiplexing. In broadband MIMO systems aiming to provide high-data-rate links, the employed signal bandwidth is typically larger than the coherence bandwidth of the channel so that the channel will be of frequency selective nature. Within this contribution we provide an overview on joint transmitter- and receiver-side antenna subset selection methods for frequency selective channels and deploy them in MIMO orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems and MIMO single-carrier (SC) systems employing frequency domain equalization (FDE).DFG/KA 1154/1

Prototyping for Mimo Systems - An Overview

The past decade has shown distinct advances in the theory of MIMO techniques for wireless communication systems. Now, the time has come to demonstrate this progress in terms of applications, where the intermediate step towards a customized product consists in more or less rapid "prototyping". Due to the multitude of different algorithmic approaches, i.e. beamforming, space-time coding, spatial multiplexing, and of different standards, i.e. UMTS, WLAN's, an ideal prototyping platform requires a high degree of flexibility and modularity in order to be qualified for a wide range of potential applications. The aim of this contribution is to give an overview about the challenges, the rich variety and the usefulness of such MIMO hardware platforms

Local sleep homeostasis in the avian brain: convergence of sleep function in mammals and birds?

The function of the brain activity that defines slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in mammals is unknown. During SWS, the level of electroencephalogram slow wave activity (SWA or 0.5–4.5 Hz power density) increases and decreases as a function of prior time spent awake and asleep, respectively. Such dynamics occur in response to waking brain use, as SWA increases locally in brain regions used more extensively during prior wakefulness. Thus, SWA is thought to reflect homeostatically regulated processes potentially tied to maintaining optimal brain functioning. Interestingly, birds also engage in SWS and REM sleep, a similarity that arose via convergent evolution, as sleeping reptiles and amphibians do not show similar brain activity. Although birds deprived of sleep show global increases in SWA during subsequent sleep, it is unclear whether avian sleep is likewise regulated locally. Here, we provide, to our knowledge, the first electrophysiological evidence for local sleep homeostasis in the avian brain. After staying awake watching David Attenborough's The Life of Birds with only one eye, SWA and the slope of slow waves (a purported marker of synaptic strength) increased only in the hyperpallium—a primary visual processing region—neurologically connected to the stimulated eye. Asymmetries were specific to the hyperpallium, as the non-visual mesopallium showed a symmetric increase in SWA and wave slope. Thus, hypotheses for the function of mammalian SWS that rely on local sleep homeostasis may apply also to birds

Lateralization of magnetic compass orientation in pigeons

The aim of our study was to test for lateralization of magnetic compass orientation in pigeons. Having shown that pigeons are capable of learning magnetic compass directions in an operant task, we wanted to know whether the brain hemispheres contribute differently and how the lateralization pattern relates to findings in other avian species. Birds that had learnt to locate food in an operant chamber by means of magnetic directions were tested for lateralization of magnetic compass orientation by temporarily covering one eye. Successful orientation occurred under all conditions of viewing. Thus, pigeons can perceive and process magnetic compass directions with the right eye and left brain hemisphere as well as the left eye and right brain hemisphere. However, while the right brain hemisphere tended to confuse the learned direction with its opposite (axial response), the left brain hemisphere specifically preferred the correct direction. Our findings demonstrate bilateral processing of magnetic information, but also suggest qualitative differences in how the left and the right brain deal with magnetic cues