Wireless channels key problem is fading. The fading induces rapid changes in the SNR and in turn critically damages reliability. The ability to transmit and receive through multiple antennas enables us, while applying various spatial diversity techniques, to reject fading and ultimately have substantially improved reliability. Using multiple antennas does not only reject fading; better yet, it actually harnesses the fading itself in favor of increased capacity. The increased capacity, under proper coding, eventually translates into increased throughput. Employing multiple antennas also allows for power saving at the expense of reduced throughput or reduced reliability. In any case, the reduced throughput and reliability are well above those of the original single antenna channel. The joint use of MIMO architecture, OFDM modulation, and LDPC coding, creates a highly resilient communication system, which successfully rejects fading and ISI and fulfills the high-throughput potential offered by MIMO systems.

One of the key ingredients for current and future versions of Intel® Centrino® mobile technology is the ability to provide mobile users with fast and low-power communications. Intel achieves that goal by incorporating MIMO architecture into its line of wireless communication products.