Spatial modulation technique: Achievements and challenges

Abstract

Multiple antenna techniques are becoming one of the key technologies used for wireless communications these days. They trade-off higher data rates and superior error performance for increased complexity and cost. Spatial Modulation (SM) is a transmission technique using MIMO system to offer low-system complexity, improved data rate and better error performance in correlated channel environments. It exploits the properties of randomness and uniqueness of the wireless communication channel. This is done by using a coding method to establish a one is to one mapping of the transmitted information bits along with spatial positions of the transmitting antennas which are arranged in an array. The transmitted signal and the transmitting antenna number are estimated using this information for de-mapping the information block. This avoids Inter-channel Interference though a high spectral efficiency is maintained. This paper outlines the research achievements along with challenging research issues of this transmission technique.